"Stress" and "trauma" on the dog? Doubtful.
I disagree. I had to give up a dog once when I was young. It was an older dog and I gave it to a friend. The dog was totally freaked and never adjusted. They ended up putting it down. I think older dogs might have more problems with being shunted around and placed in a pound. As far as there being any chance for an old dog to be adopted from a pound the chances are slim and none.
They aren't old as far as we can tell.
Although I've known of many old animals who DO adjust.
An anecdote is not a good scientific sampling of how the average animal behaves.
There are always going to be those who can't handle much. I just have extreme doubts they are anywhere near the majority.
And by this reasoning - every dog and cat who "loses a master" (i.e., he died) should be killed off because they might not handle the change.