Adopt
We are a foster-based rescue which means we do not have a shelter facility. All our dogs are in homes throughout Maine until adopted. We do not have “hours of operation” and rely on volunteers who all work full time jobs. If you are interested in a dog, the first step is to submit an adoption application. We highly recommend getting preapproved as our animals find loving homes quickly.
Our adoption process consists of a vet check, landlord approval and a home visit to ensure our furry friends are going into a safe and loving home. Note* We do require resident pets to be altered, up to date on vaccines and maintains monthly flea/tick/heartworm prevention (documented medical reason is the exception) – Without medical exceptions, we will not process applications if those requirements are not met. We place our dogs based on “Best Fit” – not first come/first serve. If your application has been approved and you have been chosen to have a meet n greet, please know that we can not hold dogs more than 48 hours as we need our foster homes open to take another dog in need. We ask you to please be ready to adopt when applying (or advise on your application if you can’t be ready to adopt right away). Fosters are not required to travel for meet n greets. Any travel on the foster’s part is at his/her discretion. Minimum age to adopt is 22 years old. The minimum age requirement of children in the home is at least 5 years old – exceptions are made for dogs we know have lived safely and comfortably with younger children or if it’s a puppy, it will depend on the puppy’s temperament (nippy, jumping up, etc).
In addition, NFR Maine does not adopt out sibling dogs and NFR Maine reserves the right to deny an application/adoption for any reason at any time. Please provide all information requested on the application and fill it out as detailed as possible – this helps with processing the application and helps with finding a good match. Applications that do not include vet information, landlord information and other important information run the risk of not being processed. We do not accept deposits to “hold” a dog. The only time money is collected is at the time of adoption. Once adopted, no refunds are issued.
To get started:
1. Fill out an adoption application and include all required info. Once we receive the application, a representative will be in touch via email within 48hrs (usually sooner). Please be sure contact info is correct… ie: email address, physical address and phone number.
2. Pass applicable checks (vet, landlord and home visit). Again, if this critical info is missing, the application may not be processed.
3. If determined you are the best fit, set up meet n greet within 48hrs
4. If all goes well at meet n greet, sign adoption contract, pay fee and take your new family member home! Again, no refunds are issued.
The adoption fee includes your new dog to be up to date on age-appropriate vaccines, dewormed, spayed/neutered, microchipped and current on monthly flea/tick/heartworm preventatives. Please know that most puppies under the age of 6 months are likely to have parasites despite being dewormed. It takes regular deworming to eliminate parasites so if you adopt a puppy, please plan to get a fecal test done shortly after adoption to check if there are lasting parasites. Any dogs over the age of 6 months old, will have tested negative for Heartworms, Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis. The adoption fee also includes transport costs.
We do adopt out to New England state residents. Adoptions must take place here in Maine and therefore will require out of state adopters to travel to Maine. We do not accept 3rd part adoptions.
The fees below are as of Jan, 2024
Dogs
8 weeks – 7 years old – $525 – Paw it Forward fee – $575
Over 7 years – $350
Some of our adoptions are part of our “Paw it Forward” program. This adoption fee is $50 higher for dogs and assists with funding our spay/neuter services to reduce further pet overpopulation.