I'm so sorry about your recent loss and I'm sure that your frustration level is pretty high.

Rant on if you need to, we have big shoulders.

We had to answer a lot of the same questions when we adopted our mixed breed dog from the shelter too. They just want to know that the German Shepherd will be in a good home.
Maybe you could offer to pay for the gene testing before you adopt?

How lovely, kind and generous you are to share your life with a rescue. I somehow believe they are aware that they have been given a second chance to have a great life. I also only ever have rescues....the down and out ones awaiting the forever big sleep, either because of health or the fact that nobody wants them. The affection and rewards I receive from them, without doubt, more than compensates for the $$$ it cost me to "rescue" them. We should keep in mind, though, that we are only promised today and the same with them. As it is with human beings - they do not come with a guarantee, a warranty or even a pedigree in most cases.

I understand about the broken heart their deaths may cause. Have you thought about "buying" a young puppy that most likely would come with some sort of paper work guaranteeing to change/replace?

As for all the hoops and questions they ask - I believe they have good intentions for this - making sure the dog goes to the right person. How else would you propose they do this?

Nevertheless, I wish you luck in your endeavour.

I grew up with GSD's. LOVE them! I still get teary eyed when I think of my Rennie. GSD's are fraught with medical issues and I had 12 years with her....a long life for that breed.

A rescue is the best way to acquire a family member....IMO They need us...hang in there.....

I went through the same thing when I rescued JD. I thought it was amusing. They're just trying to be super careful that the dog goes to a good home and that's a good thing. I know you're still hurting from your loss. It takes a long time to grieve. Perhaps you should wait a little while to get over your loss. Whatever you decide, I hope you get a wonderful loving and healthy dog.

We go through the same questions at the Humane Society. When we got each of our cats, they want to know how many other pets in our household, how experienced we are, if someone going to be home regularly to care for their needs, a safe environment, small kids etc etc.

If there isn't a good match by the new owner they can be returned. I've had to return 2 cats once. We adopted them together but they were skitzo.

Where I live, dog fighting is a big (illegal) business. People go to shelters--and especially "free to good home" offers--all the time looking for strong dogs to train for fighting, and cats and small dogs to use as bait. Disgusting but true. They often bring a child or two along to reinforce the lie that they're looking for a family pet. Shelters and rescue operations do everything they can to avoid releasing an animal to anything other than a good home.

I hope you won't give up on your plan to rescue. Knowing you saved an animal adds much joy to the already joyful experience of living with one.

Alisande, I've never heard of dog-fighting going on in our area, but I know it happens. Many years ago, people were cautioned against giving away pets for free because they were picked up for animal testing.

Today, free kittens are used for food for large snakes etc.

Also, to think they aren't getting a pup from a puppy mill, mill owners will use their friends who live in town to show prospective buyers their pup and home; with the new owners not knowing that it's really a puppy mill baby.

These are standard rescue questions. Three references is a bit much though. They do this because of everything that Alisande said! Where we live, any dog is at risk for being used for a bait dog and some have been saved in raids but needed extensive surgery just to live! It's a horrible thing what humans can do to these precious innocent animals! They are even finding cases where people are getting dogs and torturing them!

Our dog is from a rescue and those people put their whole lives into rescuing dogs in need! They have so much time, money and love invested in their rescues that they are very particular. Here is another option is to do some volunteer work for the rescue or even do foster to adopt...the need all the foster homes they can get. The rescue we adopted from is only foster homes, no shelter at all. Once you do volunteer work(or foster) for the rescue, they won't question if you are OK to adopt, they will then know you and be fine with you adopting from them.

By asking so many questions, they are weeding out the people who aren't serious about rescue/adoption. If you want to try a rescue, answer the questions, they are not hard questions!
And for what you don't know about the dog, it is rarely a two way street. You will only know what the rescue knows and sometimes they don't know anything about the dog other than it needs a forever home.

Great comment here. The rescue groups want to make sure the dog finds a safe forever home. I have done a number of rescues and grill the adopters to no end. Many are rejected by me. No, you may not keep the dog in a pen in the yard 24/7.

Ron, if you are concerned about the health of the dog, ask them what they know and offer to pay for testing. They may discount the adoption costs if you take the dog. If the test shows the disease and you do not take it, you probably will not receive a refund and you may not be able to adopt from them again.

Pets are like people, we have no guarantees
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I have adopted three dogs over the years from three different rescues. The first required an extensive questionnaire, ( own or rent, fenced yard, vet reference, who takes the dog if I couldn't care for them) followed by a meeting at the foster parents a 1 1/2 hour drive for me, then a final meet and adoption because of how this rescue was set up we all met in a park that was equal distance for all involved the co coordinator, the foster and me. (200-300$ I forget exactly how much it was ) Neutered and vaccinated. After this dog passed from bone cancer broken heart and lonely I started searching for a puppy on pet finder and found Theo. Again an extensive questionnaire followed by a phone interview, some questions similar to the first adoption but they also asked a lot about what would you do if questions and training classes were mandatory to adopt. After being approved to adopt from them I got to meet Theo at the foster family to see if he was right for me. After that the foster mom came to my home to check it and Theo came to stay. This was 350$ including the training classes. The last dog Duncan oh Duncan... ( he was the first dog I got to name the others already had names) He was picked up as stray and at the pound. I had to call before going and let them know who I wanted to see. Took him for a walk and three questions and 50$ later I took him home. First thing the bugger did was jump in the pond :) Theo Duncan and me are happy little family. Love all my dogs like family know I am a good dog owner, completely understand why rescues GRILL potential adopters. They get so many people who are not serious inquiring over the oh so cute animals, others who really are not in the right place in life to own a dog, or understand the responsibilities of owning a dog, and as mentioned above people who just want dogs to hurt them. Rescues just really want to get the adoption right the very best place for the dog and the best dog for you. Yup its a pain in the butt. Would and will go through it all again. Rescues pets come from people who love them, sometimes this causes a little bit of crazy over protectiveness but its usually from a good place. Trust me the love you will get from your pet will be worth the nosiness and annoying procedure to get them. Can you tell Im crazy pro adoption :)

Many years ago about this time of year, I visited our local pound with a friend who was looking for a kitten. I have mentioned this before, but I was amazed at the number of adult, pure bred dogs that were caged there. They looked well cared for too, so I asked a worker why so many nice looking dogs. She explained that it happens every Christmas. Families want a puppy, so they bring in the family adult dog, give it to the pound, and that way can accommodate a new puppy. Such a sad, sad story. I do hope you look at your local pound. They may have many nice adult dogs for you.

Just Linda, "I understand about the broken heart their deaths may cause. Have you thought about "buying" a young puppy that most likely would come with some sort of paper work guaranteeing to change/replace?" Change or replace??? Never. Growing up we took what drifted up to our home, love and treated them like family. Yes I want a healthy full blooded german shepherd. Protection and loyalty is what we want in a dog. also there is no test for perianal fistula. The change/replace factor applies to rescue dogs also. I know lots of people that rescue expensive breeds keep them for them a month or two, then find they don't like the fact that the dog chases squirrels or barks too much. Then drive miles to find a another rescue family to take the dog. It is a game or entertainment for them. So neither side is perfect. Thank all or you for your response.