Age Discrimination Complaint - Are Animal Rescue Foundations governed by any organizations or regulations?

I tried to adopt a kitten from an animal rescue foundation moving 2 Marin County. Their Application asks for age.
I marked approx. 50. From there, I was given the brush off and conflicting info from 2 staff. I asked 4 meetings
w/staff & kitten but denied. I was then told this kitten will be taken out in a mobile unit in 2 wks for public adoption. 2nd complaint- they believe a cat requires another cat companion,
& if you are a human companion home all day, you don't
qualify. I asked for research & was told that they don't answer
to anyone & they can do anything they want. Then I was told
that I was taking up their time and to get lost & go to another
foundation!! I am am excellent pet parent w/a pet heaven
environment. My cat of 15 yrs was a rescued cat too. I provided touching stories of my relationship w/my cat but
this rep was cold as ice. I feel insulted & lost the one & only
cat that I truely wanted to adopt. My cat died last year. This
is unfair! Suggestions?

With all the animals waiting to be adopted I would go somewhere else where you will be received with open arms. This foundation sounds a little screwy, but if they receive no public funds, they can basically do as they like.

Ouch, how totally nasty and hateful. I don't think it was age discrimination as much as 'wallet discrimination'. Surely there are other shelters in your area and we all know there are far too many animals in this world that need a home. Stay away from this group. Good luck.

These are private organizations who are trying to look out for the best interests of the animal.

The fact of the matter is that they simply do not owe you anything.

they told you THEIR cat - they own it! would only go to a house with another cat.

this has nothing to do with age.

offer to take another cat as well.

they are entitled to decide who they give the cat too - I have looked at dogs in Danta Clara county (also part of the SF Bay Area for readers) and the forms are in fact much more detailed then the ones theagencies in the rural areas of the state use.

That is because of supply and demand - there are lots more people willing to adopt in the Bay Area such that they can afford to be pickier.

Example: I took my gf's elderly mother to look for a dog, and they were very careful to match ner abilities and interests with the types and temperaments of the dogs.

They don't want a mismatch - it is not good for the person and not good for the animal who might end up on the street or back in the shelter.

My guess is instead of simply saying you would take a second cat, you protested too much and made a nuisance of yourself in their eyes. At that point, it was fair of them to ask if you are really the kind of pet owner they want and need for their animals.

I am sure you are a good pet owner, but consider from their point of view what evidence you presented them.

The thing about cats is there are lots of them - you will fall in love with another one.

Or you could go to the public event and try again - if no one else ends up adopting this cat, you might become a more attractive option to euthanasia as that time approaches.