I'm probably on my fifth (?) shelter animal/pet & every one of them (including my current mentally gifted but very beautiful and loving doggie) has been co-owned by both the shelter and myself, meaning that if for some reason I can't keep them, or something happens to me, they go back to the no-kill shelter that I adopted them from. I think from the PSPCA's (Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) point-of-view it's to ensure that the pet will never be put down unnecessarily or put in an environment that the society doesn't approve of beforehand. I don't know if they do that for every animal they adopt out, as mine were "special" cases, I was interviewed, supplied references, etc.....my dog is even "chipped" with both our info just in case.....If Ellen was aware from the get-go, I don't see why she was so upset about it, there are literally thousands upon thousands of shelter animals across the country that need homes