Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit companion animal rescue that primarily serves communities throughout the state of Minnesota, as well as states in the south with severe pet overpopulation. We rescue stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other critters. Most of our work is accomplished by a complex network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters, all of whom come together to save thousands of animals each year.

Our vision is simple: We strive for a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving home and their family has the knowledge and resources needed to give them the life they deserve.

Because of this, we’ve made it our mission to do whatever we can to make that a reality for animals and their people who are in need every single day. We help animals in a variety of situations, including those surrendered, found stray, humanely trapped, and more.

However, because we don’t have a shelter, we can only take new animals in when we have a vacant foster home willing and able to take the animal in. This commitment sometimes severely limits the number of animals we are able to take in at one time as well as the kind of animals that are eligible to enter our care.