The Pet Parent Hotline

Why Was Your Adoption Denied? The Real Reasons Shelters Say No


Listen Later

Think you’re ready to adopt a pet? You might want to double-check. In this candid episode, Amy breaks down 10 common reasons pet adopters get rejected—and most have no idea they’re making these mistakes.

Drawing from 15 years in rescue and sheltering, Amy shares the red flags that well-meaning adopters accidentally wave. These aren’t the obvious deal-breakers like animal hoarding or a history of abuse. We’re talking about the subtle signs that tell a rescue, “This might not be the right fit.”

What You’ll Learn:
 ✔️ Why saying “I just want a dog that’s good with kids” could raise eyebrows
 ✔️ The real reason your perfect setup might still get a no
 ✔️ How overconfidence, unrealistic expectations, or vague answers can tank an application
 ✔️ Why “I work from home” isn’t always the golden ticket
 ✔️ How to show you're truly prepared for lifelong pet parenting

This episode is your chance to get inside the mind of a rescue decision-maker and understand what truly matters when applying to adopt a pet. Whether you're thinking about adopting soon or just want to avoid common missteps, this is one you can’t afford to miss.

Listen now and make sure you're set up for adoption success.

For more tips and behind-the-scenes insights, visit starlightoutreachandrescue.org.

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Big pet challenges we help pet parents solve include: saving money on pet food, saving money on pet care, puppy training, cat behavior, behavior problems, pet budgeting, stress-free vet visits, solutions for multi-pet households, and more.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 by Amy Castro.

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The Pet Parent HotlineBy Amy Castro, MA, CSP

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