Entitled mom attempts to ‘reserve’ a dog at the shelter while she goes shopping and refuses to complete the necessary adoption paperwork: ‘We’re not a store, we’re a rescue’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jan 6, 2026 8:00 AM EST

Reputable shelters won't allow just anybody to adopt their animals. Fur babies are living beings who deserve the correct amount of care and attention necessary for them to thrive. Animals aren't toys you can purchase on sale at Christmas and then throw away at the first sign of "wear and tear." That's why shelters often execute home visits and background checks, and expect their prospective adopters to complete all the necessary adoption paperwork so they have all the information they need to vet them properly. Domestic animals might not be able to speak the same language we hoomans do, but that doesn't mean they aren't special members of every human family, too.

That's why the entitled mother in this next story doesn't go home with Daisy, the senior pup whom she had picked out for her children. The shelter volunteer explains that the woman entered the shelter with her children, anticipating that they'd be picking out a new pet. Upon meeting Daisy the dog, she immediately says she will adopt her. Though she expresses interest, she refuses to complete the paperwork because she feels as though she is entitled to skip it. That's not how these processes work, ma'am.

Not only does she refuse to complete the paperwork, but she also tries to put Daisy on hold while she goes out shopping. The mother's impatience and disregard for shelter safeguards land her and her children zero dogs, especially not Daisy. Luckily, a family had recruited Daisy the moment the entitled mom left the shelter. A happy ending for Daisy, but not for the entitled mom. Maybe next time she'll take an extra few minutes to pick up a pen and fill out some forms. Scroll below to read the full story, including some opinions from fellow dog lovers who share that this isn't the first time they've heard a story like this.

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  • an image of a woman and dog on steps outside a house
    via A. C. For Unsplash+

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

  • "Entitled adopter tried to ‘reserve’ a dog like it was a handbag"

    I volunteer twice a month with a local rescue, mostly doing intake paperwork and helping at weekend adoption events.
    via miles2002breeze
  • Last Saturday we were set up in a pet store with 6 dogs in pens, a little table with applications, and our usual routine: meet the dog, chat with the foster or handler, fill out the form, we do a quick check, then schedule pickup if everything looks good.
    via miles2002breeze
  • About an hour in, this woman comes in with two kids and a big iced coffee, bee lines straight to the sweetest dog we had (a calm older mutt named Daisy who basically leans into anyone with hands).
    via miles2002breeze
  • The kids are squealing, Daisy is wagging, it's cute for about 30 seconds. Then the woman looks at me and goes, "We'll take her.
    via miles2002breeze
  • a brown and white dog behind metal bars in a dog shelter
    via 12photostory for Unsplash

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

  • Like, now." I smile and do my little spiel about the application, the adoption fee, and that Daisy is currently in a foster home so we don't do same day handoffs.
    via miles2002breeze
  • Her face changes instantly and she goes, "No. I'm not doing paperwork for a dog. I have kids.
    via miles2002breeze
  • I don't have time for that." I tell her gently that everyone does the same process, it's for the dog's safety, and it usually takes 10-15 minutes.
    via miles2002breeze
  • She starts raising her voice, saying we're "gatekeeping" and that Daisy is "obviously meant" for her daughter.
    via miles2002breeze
  • Then she points at the pens and asks why those people over there are "taking so long" and says we should let her skip because her kids are getting bored.
    via miles2002breeze
  • When I repeat the policy, she tries a new angle: "Fine. Put her on hold. We're going to Target and then lunch, we'll come back." I thought she meant she was kidding, but she actually turns to her kids and says, "Tell Daisy bye for now, mommy reserved her." I had to say, out loud, "Ma'am, we can't reserve a dog because you want to go shopping." She gets angry, accuses me of being rude to her kids, and says she's going to call the store manager because "you can't run a business like this." I told
    via miles2002breeze
  • She stormed off and on the way out loudly told another adopter, "Don't bother, they're playing favorites." The wild part is she came back 2 hours later and acted shocked Daisy was already pending with a family who actually filled out the form.
    via miles2002breeze
  • Then she asked if we had "another Daisy in the back" like we keep spare dogs ready for her.
    via miles2002breeze
  • Emotional-Ebb8321 "They're all called Daisy. Keeps things simpler."
    via Emotional-Ebb8321
  • Pendergraff-Zoo I hate to say that none of this even surprises me. Rescue is something else. I'm actually happy Daisy found somebody else.
    via Pendergraff-Zoo
  • Trent1373 People like her shouldn't have pets, she obviously has no patience and sees everything as "objects", not living critters. I kinda feel bad for her kids.
    via Trent1373
  • PearGlum1966 It's an easy fix with people like this. It's usually when you tell them the fee!
    via PearGlum1966
  • Confident-Service256 If someone can't follow the process for adoption, do not let them adopt. They will be horrible pet owners
    via Confident-Service256
  • SomewhatBougieAuntie In the time it took for that woman to argue with you, she could have filled out the paper work. It all worked out like it was supposed to. Im glad Daisy has a great home.
    via SomewhatBougieAuntie

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dogs animal rescue justice served story entitled people
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