While it might not have been the smartest thing for Ellen to give the dog away, this is a prime example of why people don't like to do adopt from shelters. Often times, they are TO STRICT.
I know.. I've been REJECTED from a rescue because I didn't have a fenced in yard for a tiny dog that I was trying to adopt (I guess Britney and Brooklyn must be extremely deprived and mistreated).
You can rebuttal by saying "they have to be," but I don't believe that. How many people that adopt to do because they want a loving pet as opposed to those who harm the animal?