Iggy, a Brussels Griffon mix, was originally adopted by DeGeneres and her partner actress Portia de Rossi on Sept. 20 from the nonprofit dog resuce agency Mutts & Moms of Pasadena, Calif.

DeGeneres spent$3,000 to have the dog neutered and trained to get along with her cats. She also donated an additional $400 to the agency.

But after the dog's continued rambunctious behavior proved incompatible with her cats, DeGeneres gave the dog to her hairdresser and her two young daughters, ages 11 and 12.

For two weeks, according to DeGeneres on her Tuesday show, the family sent her updates and photos displaying how happy the dog was and how much the two girls love him.

During a check-up phone call from Mutts & Moms, DeGeneres told them the truth that she had given the dog away.

DeGeneres's gift to the family had violated the Mutts & Moms adoption agreement that prohibits re-adoption. Their return policy states that if the pet cannot stay with the adoptive family, it must be returned to the group.

Shortly after, the agency removed the dog from its latest home.

"Because I did it wrong, those people went and took that dog out of their home," said DeGeneres tearfully at the top of her Tuesday show. "I feel totally responsible for it and I'm so sorry. I'm begging them to give that dog back to that family."

The Mutts & Moms Web site has been temporarily deactivated due to the overwhelming amount of e-mails and voicemails left for the agency.

Their Web site does leave a statement in its place. "Some pet parents, who have the best intentions for their pets, feel that they can do a better job of finding a new home for their beloved pet than a shelter or rescue group."

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president and CEO Ed Sayres said in a release Wednesday that they understand the point of view of Mutts & Moms.

Nonetheless, Sayres disapproves of the Mutts & Moms approach. "Had a similar situation been encountered with an ASPCA adopter and the new home met our adoption criteria, in all likelihood we would have encouraged the new home environment for the animal," Sayres said.

Sayres is also encouraging Mutts & Moms to "revisit their approach to this situation."

Betsy Saul, co-founder of Petfinder, the largest online database of adoptable pets, responded to the controversy on Wednesday. Mutts & Moms is petfinder.com member.

"This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved. We understand and sympathize with Ellen and the family to which she gave Iggy," Saul said. "We also realize how important it is for adoption groups to put regulations in place to protect each and every pet that comes into their care."

Despite the whirl of controversy, Saul sees an upside to this event. "Ellen, Mutts & Moms and the hundreds of people who have e-mailed and called Petfinder.com about this issue want to see this little dog in the best home possible."