We got turned down for a rescue - but not turned down turned down. They would not let us adopt a young, young adult or adult without a fence - but we could have one of their senior dogs if we so chose. It really made me angry because, I wanted a dog to do sports with, to go walking and build up to running with etc. We are young, no kids and tons of time to train. Agreed to purchase expensive high quality food (not that we wouldn't have fed that...but still). But, that didn't matter. I did not want an old dog, with old dog problems yet. I wanted time to play, learn, and have energy to do things. We own our own home, with tons of space in the middle of nowhere. There are plenty of ways to exercise the dog without a fence. We have a huge concrete and screened in porch - but they said a dog could get through screens.
They didn't bother calling us, or talking with references, nothing.
In the end, we got Addie. By what the rescue said, she shouldn't be here. You know, because we have no fence and a screened in porch and have a puppy. But surprisingly, have been complemented on our "well-socialized" and "obedient" puppy.
I am trying to talk DH into fostering, but he is afraid we would be foster failures...especially if a sable female came to live with us, lol.