Dog-lover rejected 54 times from adopting a dog from animal shelters, he blames everyone except himself: 'I have literally 0 references for their bias application forms'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 23, 2025 10:00 AM EST

According to the internet, the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. You would think that after five times, someone would try to switch strategies and figure out a new way. Certainly after ten. After 20, if you're still trying the same thing without changing anything, we think we can safely call you insane. So what do you call someone who tries to adopt a dog 54 times and gets rejected every time? Ultra-mega-hyper insane?

This dog lover vented online about getting rejected 54 times from adopting a dog from local shelters, and is still wondering why he keeps getting rejected. It could be the fact that he refuses to give any references on his application forms, but that's just our silly little conjecture. Not a friend, family member, or teacher who could vouch for you? Not a single one?

We're all for people adopting animals in need, but they should also go to the right home. If he's not willing to put in the effort to find some references, how much effort will he put in to caring for a dog, which is significantly harder than finding a reference to add to an application form?

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  • 01

    I got rejected in yet another dog adoption attempt

    Sad dog behind a fence including 'This was literally my 54th adoption attempt'
    via Sparveriuspict

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Its absolutely crazy. I got rejected in trying to adopt another dog yet again. Still no pet obtained.
    via Takie_Me
  • 03
    Overall: The system sucks. It's broken. It's absolutely horrible. This was literally my 54th adoption attempt I think.
    via Takie_Me

  • Is it broken? It's certainly overwhelmed. It's overrun with stray and returned animals, especially this time of year where people get pets as gifts, realize how much work they are, and then return them. Don't be those people - don't give a pet as a gift. A pet must be a decision made by all parties to commit to for the next 10-20 years.

  • 04
    Adopting pets from animal shelters is a known competitive field, but this is ridiculous. It should not take over 7 months to try and get a pet.
    via Takie_Me
  • 05
    If pet stores werent banned in my state it would have taken just a day. Animal shleters are horrible.
    via Takie_Me
  • 06
    I have literally 0 references for their bias application forms which is the reason for the never ending rejection.
    via Takie_Me
  • 07
    Application form including 'Dates Employed to Zip: 'ciency, special skills or other items rming the above mentioned positi APPLICATION FORM ONAL INFORMATION ber: ? 11 No ell Phone: First Name City Email address: Middle State elony? [] Yes [] No you willing to submit to a pre-employment drug screening test? [] Yes [ ] No Location Years'
    via vinnstock

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    I've been very proactive in this process of trying to get a pet. I just met with government state legislation staff the other day to try and get pet stores unbanned but of course getting a bill advocated and drafted could take months if not years.
    via Takie_Me
  • 09
    Only further delaying anything happening. Procrastination in government should be illegal. I'm thinking of now getting a second or third phone number to put down as a fake reference on the adoption papers or maybe I'll just use the number of the legislator staff and they can deal with the problem their senator caused.
    via Takie_Me
  • 10
    Pulling up the ladder culture should be outlawed and animal shelters should not have to be the primary route left to get a pet.
    via Takie_Me
  • 11
    They need to unban pet stores. This is literally insane.
    via Takie_Me

  • We wholeheartedly disagree. Selling pets at pet stores seems much more unethical than at an animal shelter. With pet stores come puppy mills, and those are some of the worst stains on humanity's existence. Truly horrific.

  • 12
    Corgi dog on a couch
    via pixelshot

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    . ContentPower8196 • 17h ago 54th rejection attempt? Something is CLEARLY red flagging these people.
    via ContentPower8196
  • 14
    For reference in South Carolinayou can walk into the humane society and walk out with a dog in like two hours if that. I'm a pet care professional and I have never heard of someone being rejected multiple times, let alone double digits.
    via ContentPower8196
  • 15
    Oillntrepid997 • 17h ago since you are getting so many rejections, is it possible there might be aspects of you situation and approach to animal care that might not align with what would be in the best interest of an animal? are there other ways you can
    via Oillntrepid997
  • 16
    spend time with dogs, like volunteering at a shelter, so you can fulfill that sense of conpanionship? certainly, that could really make a difference in an animal's life and you could get to know the shelter staff ans learn more about what would make a good home environment for a pet
    via Oillntrepid997
  • 17
    chaos_wave • 17h ago What reason do they give for rejecting you? In my experience, it's only competitive if you are applying for highly desirable dogs due to breed, size, temperament, etc.
    via chaos_wave
  • 18
    No_Assignment_9721 • 17h ago This was literally my 54th adoption attempt Please promise us you're going to let go of this idea and get a fish?
    via No_Assignment_9721
  • 19
    HigHaf0221 · 17h ago There has to be a reason you are being rejected. Adopting from an animal shelter isn't competitive at all? It is in the best interested of the animal shelter to give away pets. It's kind of their thing. Its not an exclusive club. What reason are they giving you?
    via HigHaf0221
  • 20
    Wooden_Permit3234 . 17h ago I have literally O references for their bias application forms which is the reason for the never ending rejection. You can probably understand how that seems suspicious to the people tasked with approving applications.
    via Wooden_Permit3234
  • 21
    III-Locksmith-8281 • 16h ago Why don't you have any references? And why didn't you get any references on attempt #2?
    via III-Locksmith-8281
  • 22
    Xannarial 16h ago . ...you ever think that maybe you're the problem? If its the same situation over and over, but you are the only common denominator, then they're obviously seeing you as unfit for some reason.
    via Xannarial
  • 23
    . Beautiful-Ad-8028 17h ago Sounds like the system is working as intended to protect the animals. It's not even remotely difficult to get approved.
    via Beautiful-Ad-8028
  • 24
    ohno 17h ago . Pet adoption is decidedly not competitive. They beg people to adopt because the shelters are usually at capacity. If they won't give you a dog it's because they have something on record that suggests you are not fit to
    via ohno
  • 25
    properly care for an animal. I don't know if you belong on the list because you haven't chosen to tell us why they won't adopt out to you, but having worked with a rescue in the past, I know that when we refused a
    via ohno
  • 26
    potential adoption, it was out of concern for the animal's well- being. You need to understand how you got on the naughty list, address the situation, and work with the shelters to clear your name.
    via ohno
  • 27
    Competitive-Bat-43 16h ago I am sorry, as so.eone who has adopted from rescues in 4 states you appear to be the problem. What are they telling you when they reject you?
    via Competitive-Bat-43
  • 28
    OddCup Of Tea 16h ago. · Are you in the US? Cause from what I have seen they hand out pets at shelters like Candy on Halloween and have people adopt same day as the first visit.
    via OddCupOfTea
  • 29
    Lucky_Divide 1979 17h ago There are a lot of bad people adopting out dogs. Heinous one in Aurora, CO this past month. I'm not saying you are a bad person at all, I don't know why you are rejected, however I appreciate people running the adoptions do a little background check before releasing an innocent animal.
    via Lucky_Divide1979

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dogs blame references animal shelter dog lovers application dog adoption animals
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