The Maine Dog Rescue is a foster-based rescue, which means we don’t have a physical shelter. All of our dogs stay in loving foster homes across Maine until they’re adopted. If you’re interested in adopting, the first step is filling out an application—getting pre-approved is highly recommended!

Our adoption process includes personal references, a vet check, landlord approval (if applicable), and a virtual home visit to ensure our dogs are going into safe, loving environments. We do require that resident pets are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, and on monthly flea/tick/heartworm prevention—unless a vet provides a documented medical reason. We match dogs based on best fit, not first come/first serve.

If you’re selected for a meet-and-greet, please be ready to adopt within 48 hours—we can’t hold dogs longer than that since foster homes need to stay open for the next dog in need. Fosters are not expected to travel for meet and greets—any travel is completely up to them. We do not adopt out sibling dogs together, and we reserve the right to deny an application at any time for any reason.

Please fill out the application thoroughly—including vet and landlord info—so we can properly process it. We do not accept deposits or hold dogs. The only time we collect payment is at the time of adoption. Once a dog is adopted, we do not offer refunds.

Ready to Adopt? Here are your next steps:

1 - Please Fill out the Application - a representative will be in touch within 48 hours.

2 - Our reference checkers will be in touch with your vet and personal references.

3 - If you are determined to be the best fit, an email will be sent and the foster will receive your contact information. Please set up a meet and greet within 48 hours.

4 - If all goes well - pay the adoption fee via invoice sent to email - congratulations you are a new dog owner!

The adoption fee covers spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, deworming, microchip, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and transport. Puppies under 6 months may still have parasites despite deworming, so we recommend a fecal test after adoption. Dogs over 6 months are tested and negative for Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis.

Adoption Fees:

Dogs up to 7 years old $500

Dogs over 7 years old $400

Some Dogs are part of our Back to the Pack Program - $550

When you adopt through our Back to the Pack program, you’re doing more than giving one dog a home — you’re helping their packmates still waiting to be adopted. The additional $50 adoption fee provides care, comfort, and hope for the dogs still in foster care.

For more information, please reach out to our Adoption Coordinator at emily@mainedogrescue.org