I think PWC nailed it.
It's extremely important to make sure that a dog is going to a good home. That goes without saying. But some requirements are so ridiculous that a dog that might have had a home gets euthanized because the only person to apply to adopt it is 2 months away from turning 25, or their yard is a a little too small.
I personally know people who have started out with a big heart and good intentions, wanting to adopt a dog who needed them, but they were turned immediately away by a rescue for a small thing that they could fix, but were never given the chance to. So what does someone do? They want a dog. They might not know how to find a great breeder. Waiting and getting turned town often makes people turn to a pet store, a puppy mill, or a breeder who doesn't care where their pups go. They get a dog right away without getting shunned for no being a good enough owner. It is their responsibility to educate themselves, but that doesn't make the original rescue any less of an addition to the problem.
If people keep waiting for only the absolute best owners, like the educated people of Chaz, those dogs are going to waste away before owners are found.
Ideally, of course dogs would only go to the wonderful dog owners such as Chazzers, but it's not going to happen.
A loving home, maybe without a big yard, maybe not the best food, but with exercise, good vet care, a comfortable safe home. . .well, IMO, that's a hell of a lot better than dying alone on a cold metal table.
/rant