WI Woman, 70 Years Young, Crushed After Denied Rescue Dog Adoption Over Her Age

Wisconsin animal rescue group, Fluffy Dog Rescue, Hartland, WI, has denied a 70-year-old woman the chance to adopt the dog of her dreams – because the they say she’s too old.

In an email response to Mary’s application, the rescue said it has “a philosophy of ‘adoption for life’… we feel there are other dogs that may be more suitable for you. In your case it would be a dog aged three or older.”

“I kind of felt bad because I thought ‘I’m not old,'” said Mary.

Fluffy Dog Rescue adopts to dog lovers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Mary was hoping to meet a one-year-old yorkie mix being fostered near her Illinois home.

“I planned to get a young dog so that it will fly with me and be able to go under my seat and go wherever I go,” said Mary.

Mary, whose husband passed away almost three years ago, wants a companion.

“I think they made a very poor judgment, in the fact they don’t know me,” said Mary.

Mary’s daughter emailed the group back, questioning its decision.

“To just write it off because of a number it was really upsetting,” said Melissa, Mary’s daughter.

Fluffy Dog Rescue told her its mission is to put rescue dogs in lifelong homes and that “we have established a formula for our older applicants to do our best to accomplish this. With that said, your mother fits into a category of only being able to adopt a dog that is three years or older.” source

“She’s looking for a lifelong companion,” said Melissa.

The group went on to say, “…there are many rescues out there that will sell anyone a dog without a care of what might happen to them. We are not that rescue.”

“I just feel like I’m a good loving person and I could give a lot of love to a little dog, any dog,” said Mary.