Adoption & Foster Policies

Adopting a new family member is exciting, but also requires a considerable commitment.

Please review our adoption policies before submitting your application.

Best Fit Placement:

The dog you apply for may already be adopted by the time of approval or may not be the best match for your home, as determined by our team. But don’t worry—we’ll work with you to find the perfect fit!

Kindness is Key:

Pittie Posse Rescue and Sanctuary (PPRS) considers all approved fosters and adopters members of our family.

We try to maintain a drama-free, family environment, so attitude toward our staff is highly considered when the team is deciding to approve or deny an application.

We WILL NOT tolerate rudeness, harassment, abusive language, or threats toward our volunteer staff.

We reserve the right to deny an application for any reason.

Payments:

We do not accept any payment plans for our dogs. Our highest adoption fee is $550, which is less than a basic emergency vet visit. This is non-negotiable.

Household Requirements:

To foster or adopt a dog from PPRS, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 21 years old.
Have not adopted or introduced a new pet into your home within the last six months.
Be able to communicate via Facebook Messenger.
Commit to force-free, fear-free training methods for all dogs in your home—past, present, and future.
- The use of aversive training tools is strictly prohibited, including but not limited to shock/electric collars, invisible fences, prong collars, and chain/choke collars. This policy is non-negotiable for both fostered and adopted dogs.
- We strongly encourage adopters to enroll their new pup in a professional, positive reinforcement training class.

Out of State / Country Fosters and Adopters:

PPRS is only legally permitted to place dogs in foster homes located in Maine or Georgia.

We DO adopt to families within the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

We require all potential adopters, along with all household members and resident dogs, to travel to Maine to meet and pick up our dog in person. If the adoption doesn’t work out, the dog is legally required to be returned back to us in Maine, which is why we have limited our adopters to New England area.

We do not adopt outside of the U.S.

Home Visits:

Home visits are conducted virtually. Potential fosters or adopters MUST be able to video chat.

All household members—including spouses, children, and roommates—must be present during the visit. This allows us to understand your home environment and energy, helping us match you with the best possible pup!

Veterinary Requirements:

We carefully review each applicant’s veterinary history to ensure they meet our standards for responsible pet care.

In addition to the requirements listed below, we will consider information from your veterinarian regarding the quality of care provided, willingness to follow veterinary advice, and whether they feel it is appropriate for you to add a new pet to your home.

For Dogs in the Home:

Must be up-to-date on the following vaccines:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Bordetella (recommended for foster families)
- Current 4DX test
Must have consistent, documented use of flea/tick prevention.
If you self-administer vaccines or ivermectin from a farm supply store, you must have documentation from your veterinarian or provide receipts and a printed history.
Spay/Neuter: Unless a dog has a documented medical reason for remaining intact (verified by your veterinarian), we will not place a PPRS dog in your home. If you plan to spay/neuter, the procedure must be completed before you are eligible to foster or adopt.

For Cats in the Home:

Must have a current rabies vaccine (per Maine State Law).
Must receive an annual wellness exam if indoor-only, or a check-up at least every three years for feral/outdoor cats.
Must be spayed/neutered unless they are strictly indoor and have a documented medical reason for remaining intact.

These policies help us ensure the safety and well-being of both our rescue dogs and the pets already in your home.

Mobile Home Parks and HOAs:

PPRS conducts landlord checks for mobile home parks and verifies with HOAs to ensure dogs are permitted and that there are no breed restrictions. Before applying to foster or adopt, please confirm with your landlord and review your HOA agreement.

Additionally, check with your homeowner’s insurance to ensure there are no breed restrictions. Only a select few insurance companies provide coverage for bully breed dogs.

Emotional Support Animals:

A letter from a physician for an emotional support animal does not replace landlord approval for the adoption of a PPRS dog.

The FHA does not cover non-service animals and a letter recommending an emotional support animal does not guarantee the dog will be permitted, or that breed restrictions will be lifted.

Please obtain landlord approval before applying to adopt.

Additional Considerations:

Lifelong Financial Commitment

Dogs are incredible companions, but they also come with significant financial responsibility. Below is a conservative estimate of the yearly maintenance costs for a single dog:

Food – $500
Flea, Tick & Heartworm Prevention – $350
Annual Wellness Exam & Vaccines – $150
Total (Bare Minimum) – $1,000+ per year

This does not include unexpected medical emergencies, which can easily cost $5,000+ for common issues or age-related illnesses.

Why This Matters

At PPRS, we prioritize placing our dogs in homes where they will always receive the care they need, when they need it. Over the years, we’ve seen heartbreaking situations where adopters weren’t financially prepared for the cost of dog ownership.

PPRS founders Britt & Sully experienced this firsthand when their own dog had a $900 emergency vet bill after an encounter with a porcupine. It made them ask: What if we couldn’t afford it? What about our adopters?

$900 is not an unusually high amount for an emergency vet visit.

Before applying to adopt, please consider:

Researching pet insurance – Ask us for our favorite companies!
Understanding common medical issues like blockages and bloat
Asking your veterinarian for cost estimates—Could you afford emergency care if your dog’s life depended on it?

The Importance of Training & Behavior

Dogs can take 3-6 months to fully adjust to a new home, and behavioral concerns may emerge during this period. That’s why we strongly encourage training from the start—it’s easier to prevent unwanted behaviors than to correct them later.

PPRS will disclose any known behaviors to adopters, but every home is different, and new behaviors may surface in a new environment. When you adopt, you’re making a lifelong commitment to your dog.

Please research trainers before applying – Watch for red flags, like the use of prong, choke, or shock collars, dominance-based language, and fear based methods. Never hesitate to ask us for recommendations! We’re here to help.

Ready to Adopt?

Your adoption process will include:

Reviewing our adoption policies and considerations
Submitting an application form via our website
A response via email to set up your virtual home visit (please message our Facebook or Instagram page if you don’t hear back within a week!)
Vet check (for current or prior pets)
Virtual home visit with all members of the household present (at least one)