Question
I was denied adopting any animals at a shelter I had volunteered at because my roommates smoke. After I inquired about adopting, I began receiving negative feedback about the "smell" and have since been told to consider volunteering at a different shelter. Is this discriminatory? I would like to adopt but is this going to be a problem at any other shelter as well?
Answer
Adoption policies at animal shelters differ. Due to the harmful effects of second hand smoke on animals, some shelters (as you have seen) will not adopt to a person if there is a smoker in the household. Not all shelters/rescues have this policy.
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