It does sound like a lot to go through to adopt a Dane from them but with such a high rate of no returns they must be doing something right. The credit check may be to find out if you are going to be able to provide the dog with medical attention when it needs it. The house check is a good idea since they are a large breed and require some space and the phone interview would be to find out what kind of owners you would make. So many animals adopted from shelters end up on the streets or back at the shelters or abused or many other things can happen to them. Too many people don't realize that when you become an owner of an animal it is for the rest of the pets lives, or should be anyway.

All of my cats have either found me or I have found them, all of them living outside homeless. My newest kitten is about 3 months old now and would not have survived the winter since she was sick when I found her a month ago, a day after Christmas gift.