So I am sure many have heard about it, but a WI rescue denied a 70 year old woman the adoption of a young dog. They said a dog that was 3 or 4 years old would be a better choice than the 1 year old that she applied for.

While I understand that rescues need to place dogs wisely, I just don't think this is right. They have a "formula" that they use. when placing dogs with older folks. They also said that they want to place the dog "for life" but who's to say this woman won't outlive the dog? There is no way of knowing how long we will live.... to deny a dog a loving home and an older lady the love of a wonderful compnion because of age is just wrong in my opinion....

What do you all think?

At 72 I honestly believe that I can handle just about any dog and working with a new puppy is for sure on my bucket list.

Even if I kick the bucket, my three kids and more then one of the grandkids are always arguing (joking) about who gets my dogs.

No plans on leaving soon though.

I have found that there are a number of surgeries that insurance companies wont cover if your past 70 so there is for sure discrimination against the elderly everywhere.

IF the woman's age was the only reason, then I don't think it's right, either. But I have not heard this particular story before right here and now, and I don't know all the facts, so I hesitate to pass judgment on this particular case.

If they're worried about the dog outliving her, I don't see where there's much difference between a one-year-old dog and a three- or four-year-old. Besides, nobody has a crystal ball to predict how long someone is going to live -- human or dog. I can see their point a little bit more if the woman had physical health issues that could have made it difficult for her to keep up with an energetic young dog.

I have done dozens of home visits for the rescue I volunteer with. We deal with a large, energetic working breed, but I can tell you that, if we had rules against people over a certain age, a lot of dogs would not get adopted. We look more at the overall home that will be provided, the adopter's experience with our breed, and then work hard to make a good match. It might be the case that a more mature, settled dog works out best for an older adopter, but we take each adopter on a case-by-case basis and we don't apply hard-and-fast rules about age.

I do think it's important that the potential adopter understand the exercise needs of the dog they are adopting. I also think some one-year-old dogs are much more wild and crazy than others. Again, I don't like generalities and assumptions. Look at the individual person and the dog they are considering and decide if they are a good match.

I belong to a good-sized AKC-affiliated dog training club where we do activities like agility, obedience, rally, tracking, nosework, and more. I am making just an estimate here, but I would think close to half of our members are over the age of 60. We have a few people who are in their 80s and even 90s! Age alone is not a barrier to providing good care and a happy environment for a dog.

This should be the link....

http://www.weny.com/story/37296191/age-likely-why-rescue-group-denied-70-year-old-woman-dog-adoption

I think, they really made a very poor judgment! They seem to believe, they can predict the future. It is as if a doctor said to you "within the next 6 or 7 years you'll die".
I adopted my first dogs at the age of about 71 and I don't see anything wrong with this. I've calculated with the average life expectancy of Pits and told myself, my husband and I are healthy and active, WE WILL SURVIVE THEM. Agree, agree, this sounds a bit crazy, but it's my mindset.

Of course I can't know this for sure, but what about someone with 20, 30, 40....? Tomorrow he/she can be dead. Car accident for example. Life is unpredictable.

I have found two good friends, much younger than me, who have experience with dogs, who would take them. They don't train their dogs in a formal sense, but walk them well and play with them. So if we live in a pessimistic attitude we will think: And what if the dogs overlive them?

Bob lives in a exemplary condition when the grandkids are already arguing about who gets his dogs. How ruthless, how wicked they are!!!

 Quote: Kelly

This should be the link....

http://www.weny.com/story/37296191/age-likely-why-rescue-group-denied-70-year-old-woman-dog-adoption

Thanks for the info, Kelly. I couldn't get this link to work for me, but I was able to find the story by Googling.

After reading it, I find it even more ludicrous. They come right out and say they were refusing to let her adopt this one-year-old but would let her adopt a three-year-old. So they think they can predict someone's lifespan to within two years??? Not to mention the dog's lifespan. Yes, it was a Yorkie, and they typically live to 12, 14 or older, but some will have health issues that take them at a much younger age. And as Christina pointed out above, just being under a certain age does not guarantee you will be there for the rest of the dog's life.

I do hope the woman in question will get past this degrading insult, find a different rescue organization, and end up with a wonderful canine companion. I do understand sometimes people see a dog on a rescue's website and fall in love; but, realistically, it doesn't always work out. It seems like she has a lot to offer a dog, and I hope some other lucky dog will be the beneficiary.

I agree with Cheri that it's hard to judge without the whole story... however 70 isn't really that old. I work with people who are 70+ and they don't seem in any rush to retire. Even if the dog lived to 15 the woman who was trying to adopt would still only be 85. Unless she had a known critical health condition it seems rather subjective.

 Quote: Carolyn Pike Roman

I agree with Cheri that it's hard to judge without the whole story... however 70 isn't really that old. I work with people who are 70+ and they don't seem in any rush to retire. Even if the dog lived to 15 the woman who was trying to adopt would still only be 85. Unless she had a known critical health condition it seems rather subjective.

AGREED Age discrimination is Wrong !!! This type of decision should be made on a Case-by-Case basis ... Is the prospective adopter in GOOD health mentally & physically, and do they have close Relatives or Friends named in their will to inherit the animal if they pre-decease this pet? I'll be 70 years old in June -- Thank goodness I'm personal friends with the ladies who own Dobie Rescue where my current dogs were adopted !!!

After reading your link, I say, a trial would have been better than outright denying. That is dumb. A trial of even 3 days would have told her whether this dog would have fit !

Sorry, double post!