Age Restrictions

[StarfishSandwich]

Just been having a look at some dog rehoming websites to see what kind of dogs are available. We aren’t in a position to adopt currently and we aren’t sure it’s definitely the right route for us but I’m always up for looking at dogs!

Anyway, just looking at one particular rehoming charity (a small rescue fairly local to us) and one of the restrictions is ‘no adults under 30’... I’m married, earn reasonable money, own a house with a big garden in a very quiet village... but I can’t have a dog because I’m under 30? It doesn’t really affect us currently but is this normal?!

That sounds a bit over the top haha! I have seen dogs listed where the description might as well as say "no children under 18"...but adults over 30 sounds a bit odd. Maybe the rescue in particular has had issues with 20something adopters and is now being over cautious. Most rescues have had their fingers burnt by all sorts of people who came across as perfect at first.

Every rescue has its own criteria - some of which are more batshit than others. I can understand 20 somethings who are spending every weekend out clubbing etc etc not being top of their list, but excluding settled 20 somethings who are married homeowners is mad.

I'd contact them for "clarification" if they have a dog you're interested in, but otherwise I'd go elsewhere.

I can see why they’ve done this and it will be in response to bad experiences with younger adopters. I don’t think it will be set in stone, I suspect they would consider some under 30’s but the blanket rule will put the majority of the ‘wrong’ kind of people (young lads wanting status dogs, those involved in dogfighting etc) off before they even enquire. It’s similar to rental property listed as ‘no pets’, some landlords will consider it if asked but prefer not to advertise the fact.