Pulled From The Pits Rescue Policies & Procedures

At Pulled From The Pits (PFTP), our goal is to place every dog into a safe, loving, and permanent home. Many of the animals we rescue come from neglect, abandonment, overcrowded shelters, or unstable situations. Because of this, we have established policies designed to protect the dogs, adopters, and existing pets in the home.

These policies are not intended to make adoption difficult. They exist to improve the likelihood of a successful transition and lifelong placement for every animal we rescue.

All resident dogs and cats in the adopter’s home must be spayed or neutered before adoption approval.

Responsible rescue begins with responsible pet ownership. Unaltered animals contribute to accidental litters and pet overpopulation, which is one of the leading causes of euthanasia in shelters nationwide. Spaying and neutering also helps reduce certain behavioral and medical issues, creating a safer and more stable environment for both the rescue dog and the animals already in the home.

Current pets must be up to date on core vaccinations, including:

• Rabies
• DHPP/DAPP (Distemper/Parvo)

Applicants must provide:

• Veterinary records
• Proof of vaccinations
• Veterinarian contact information for reference verification

• Heartworm prevention
• Flea and tick prevention
  should be consistently maintained.

Many rescue dogs arrive with weakened immune systems or unknown medical histories. Ensuring that existing household pets are vaccinated greatly reduces the risk of spreading preventable diseases. Preventative care protects not only the adopted dog, but every animal in the household.

• Standard dogs: $575
• Extra large breeds (Great Danes, Mastiffs, etc.): $775
  • Includes preventative gastropexy surgery

Adoption fees include:

• Veterinary care
• Transport costs
• Vaccinations
• Testing
• Quarantine expenses
• Martingale collar fee

• A non-refundable $100 deposit may hold:
  • Dogs located out of state
  • Dogs still completing quarantine
• Dogs already located in Maine cannot be held with a deposit.

• Full payment is required before release.
• No payment plans are available.
• Accepted payment methods:
  • Venmo
  • Cash

Rescue operations involve significant medical, transportation, and daily care expenses long before an animal is adopted. Deposits help ensure serious commitments and allow the rescue to continue helping additional animals in need.

• Pickup is generally scheduled within 48 hours of finalized adoption.

• Pickup timing depends on transport schedules and Maine quarantine requirements.

If an adopter cannot pick up their animal as scheduled:

• Boarding fees of $50 per day apply.

Failure to arrange pickup or pay boarding fees may result in:

• Loss of adoption
• Forfeit of deposit

Transport and kennel space are limited and carefully coordinated. Extended stays create additional stress for the dogs and increase operational costs for the rescue. Prompt pickup helps animals transition quickly into stable home environments.

Per Maine state law:

• Dogs 6 months and older:
  • 48-hour quarantine
• Dogs under 6 months:
  • 5-day quarantine

Adoptions proceed only after quarantine is completed and no medical concerns are observed.

Quarantine requirements protect public health and help monitor transported animals for signs of illness before they enter their permanent homes.

Dogs over 6 months imported into Maine are tested for:

• Heartworm
• Lyme disease
• Ehrlichia
• Anaplasma
• Intestinal parasites

Dogs also receive age-appropriate vaccinations for:

• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Kennel cough
• Parvo
• Rabies

Puppies may:

• Be too young for complete testing
• Need additional vaccines after adoption
• Require follow-up parasite treatment

Adopters are responsible for:

• Continued veterinary care
• Completing vaccine series
• Follow-up fecal testing and treatment if necessary

All animals are treated preventatively whenever possible, though complete resolution may take time.

Rescue dogs often come from difficult conditions where consistent medical care was unavailable. While PFTP works hard to provide extensive veterinary care before adoption, some issues may still require follow-up after the dog settles into its new home. The 4DX test, which screens for heartworm disease and certain tick-borne illnesses, is generally not recommended for puppies under 6 months of age. Heartworm infection may not be detectable until approximately 6 months after initial exposure, particularly in puppies that have not yet been consistently maintained on heartworm prevention.

Because of this, adopters are strongly encouraged to schedule a veterinary appointment promptly after adoption to establish routine care and begin monthly heartworm prevention medication. Consistent prevention is critical, as heartworm disease is expensive to treat, difficult on a dog’s body, and can become fatal if left untreated.

PFTP initiates heartworm prevention for all dogs of a suitable age before they are placed. Following the finalized adoption, the responsibility for maintaining a consistent, vet-approved heartworm prevention schedule rests entirely with the adopter. The rescue is not responsible for any positive results or infections that may arise after placement due to a lapse in preventative treatment.

All dogs and puppies leave with a properly fitted martingale collar.

• A $25 collar fee is included in adoption costs.

Transported rescue dogs are often frightened, overstimulated, and unfamiliar with their surroundings. Even calm dogs can panic in new environments. Martingale collars provide a safer way to prevent escapes during this high-risk transition period without causing harm to the dog.

• Not permitted under any circumstances.

Short meetings in unfamiliar environments rarely provide accurate information about long-term compatibility between animals. Dogs often behave very differently after decompression and proper introductions at home. PFTP prioritizes slow, structured introductions over stressful first encounters.

PFTP does not perform formal cat testing.

Dogs introduced into homes with cats or small animals must:

• Be supervised at all times
• Be physically controlled during introductions
• Be securely separated when unsupervised

Crating alone is not considered sufficient separation. Dogs should be housed in securely closed rooms during adjustment periods.

Prey drive and stress responses can appear unexpectedly, even in dogs that initially seem calm. Careful management protects all animals in the home while compatibility is evaluated over time.

Newly adopted animals require time to adjust emotionally and behaviorally to their new homes. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAREFULLY!  

Your new pet should not be introduced to the current animals in the house without direct supervision for at LEAST the first few weeks.  When introductions occur, both dogs should be on a leash, and if the new dog is being introduced to cats, the dog should be on a leash.  Animals need to be fed separately, at least in different areas of the room, if not separate rooms entirely, until such time that it has been determined that the new pet has been accepted by the current animals.  

This process can take time, there is not a set period!  It can be days, weeks or even months.  Don't rush your new pet, successful transition takes patience!

.Introduction Guidelines

• Supervise all interactions for several weeks minimum.
• Keep dogs leashed during introductions.
• Feed animals separately.
• Allow adjustment to occur gradually.

Adjustment periods may take:

• Days
• Weeks
• Months

Dogs experience significant stress during transport and transition. Behaviors often change as the dog becomes comfortable in its environment. A structured decompression period reduces anxiety, prevents conflict, and greatly improves long-term adoption success.

PFTP may extend the return period if adopters remain in communication during decompression.

If the adoption is determined not to be a good fit:

• Up to 75% of the adoption fee may be refunded
• Deposits and application fees are non-refundable

Refund eligibility requires:

• Return of the animal in good condition
• Compliance with decompression policies
• No veterinary concerns caused during adoption

• Decompression protocols were ignored
• The animal requires veterinary care due to negligence
• The animal is injured while in adopter care

• No refunds are provided.

Rescue dogs need time and consistency to settle into a new home. Many early behavioral concerns improve with patience and proper decompression. These policies encourage adopters to allow appropriate adjustment time while also protecting the rescue’s ability to continue helping additional animals.

Per Maine law: 

Spay & Neuter Policy: 

Per State of Maine regulations, Animal Rescues and Shelters are REQUIRED to charge a refundable deposit to the adopting parties for animals that are adopted out before being spayed or neutered. This deposit must be paid before the animal is released to the adopter. The adopter will be notified of the day and time of the alteration surgery, and must get the animal to the vet designated by the rescue. Once the surgery has been completed, the spay/neuter deposit amount (minus any fees charged by the processing companies) will be refunded to the adopter the same way that it was paid within two weeks after the surgery.  

This is NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Please note, that though the veterinarian we use accommodates us as far as scheduling spay/neuter surgeries as soon as possible, sometimes events occur outside of our control, and surgery days may be changed with short notice.  We let adopters know as soon as we are told of those changes, but we ask for understanding and patience as these occurrences are out of our control.  

Pulled From the Pits determines when the animals will be altered according to information provided by our veterinarian. If the adopter does not abide by this policy and does not bring the animal to Gray Animal Center at the time set, we reserve the right to take possession of the animal with no return of funds paid.

            Animals adopted prior to alteration require a refundable spay/neuter deposit.

• Surgery must occur through the veterinarian designated by PFTP.
• Adopters must transport the animal to the scheduled appointment.

• Deposits are refunded within approximately two weeks after surgery completion, minus processing fees if applicable.

PFTP reserves the right to:

• Reclaim the animal
• Recover associated legal or transport costs

This policy ensures compliance with Maine rescue regulations and helps prevent accidental breeding of rescue animals before they are altered.

PFTP does not allow sibling puppy adoptions due to the risk of littermate syndrome.

Littermate syndrome can create severe behavioral and socialization problems, including anxiety, dependence, aggression, and difficulty bonding with humans. While not guaranteed, the risk is significant enough that PFTP does not consider it an acceptable start for young puppies.

If an adopter can no longer keep their dog, PFTP must be contacted before:

• Rehoming
• Shelter surrender
• Euthanasia decisions

Any new adopter must complete PFTP’s approval process first.

PFTP remains committed to every animal for its entire lifetime. This policy helps ensure that dogs never end up in unsafe or inappropriate situations.

• PFTP does not perform DNA testing.
• Breed and age information are estimates only.

• Dogs may behave differently in different environments.
• Supervision around children and other animals is always recommended.

Behavior and breed assumptions are never guaranteed. Rescue dogs continue to reveal their personalities as they settle into stable homes and routines.

Dogs are fed donated, age-appropriate dry food while in rescue care.

Keep available:

• Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
• White rice
• Plain boiled chicken

• Allow time for digestive adjustment.
• Avoid excessive treats or table scraps.
• Ensure constant access to fresh water.

Stress, transport, and dietary changes commonly cause temporary stomach upset in rescue dogs. Simple diets can help ease the transition while their digestive systems adjust.

Applications depend on:

• Veterinary references
• Personal references
• Accuracy of submitted information

• Approval does not guarantee adoption.
• PFTP reserves the right to deny adoption at any point prior to placement.

Applicants should contact PFTP directly with questions.

Please do not contact:

• Foster homes
• Sending shelters
• Partner rescues

Partner shelters and foster homes are often understaffed and overwhelmed. Centralized communication helps ensure accurate information and efficient processing for all applicants.

• Policies may change without notice.
• Official contracts and policies govern all adoptions.
• PFTP reserves final discretion in all adoption decisions.

Thank you for supporting rescue and responsible pet ownership. Every successful adoption helps create space and resources to save more lives.