Adopt

Ruff Start Rescue

Animal rescue in Princeton, MN

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.

Since our inception, we’ve firmly believed that a home is usually a far more desirable environment than a shelter or a kennel for most companion animals in need of a forever family. As a result, we rely nearly exclusively on volunteers to provide foster homes for rescued pets until they find their adoptive homes. Please note: this means no animals are available at our facility for public viewing.

Each pet in our care is provided with routine vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, microchipped, given internal and external parasite preventatives, and tested for common bloodborne pathogens such as heartworm and feline leukemia. Advanced veterinary care is provided to any animal that requires such services before adoption.

If you are interested in fostering, adopting, or volunteering, please fill out an applicable application at our website: www.ruffstartrescue.org.

Contact
Address
PO Box 129
Princeton, MN 55371
Cats Illustration

See every new pet that comes to this rescue!

Create an alert, and we'll notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable pets at Ruff Start Rescue

We'll also keep you updated on Nala Golden's adoption status with email updates.
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Nala Golden

Golden Retriever

Female, Adult
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Lady Jane's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Lady Jane

Lady Jane

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Young
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Newton's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Newton

Newton

Guinea Pig

Male
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Thunder's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Thunder

Thunder

Irish Wolfhound/Great Pyrenees

Male, Senior
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Snow's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Snow

Snow

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)/Chihuahua

Female, Puppy
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Bruno W's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Bruno W

Bruno W

Guinea Pig

Male, Young
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Bambi W's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Bambi W

Bambi W

Guinea Pig

Male, Young
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Julius's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Julius

Julius

Border Collie/Australian Shepherd

Male, Adult
Princeton, MN

Rescue FAQs

The entire state of Minnesota as well as its bordering states, with a special focus on the Central Minnesota and Greater Twin Cities area.

  • 1. Submit Application
  • 2. Meet the Pet
  • 3. Sign Adoption Contract
  • 4. Take the Pet Home

Additional adoption info

After adoption we’d love to remain a resource for you if you have questions or concerns you need help addressing with your new pet. Please reach out to us at adoptionfollowup@ruffstartrescue.org if we can be of any assistance.

Adoption application

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoption-application/

Pets at shelters & rescues near Ruff Start Rescue

Doberman Rescue Minnesota

PO Box 3638,
Minneapolis, MN 55428

We'll also keep you updated on Papaya's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Papaya

Papaya

Pug/Chihuahua

Female, Puppy
Forest Lake, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Saros's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Saros

Saros

Shepherd (Unknown Type)/Australian Cattle Dog

Male, Adult
Minneapolis, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Loyalty D18226's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Loyalty D18226

Loyalty D18226

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Male, 3 yrs 2 mos
Minnetonka, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Bullseye's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Bullseye

Bullseye

Chihuahua/Shih Tzu

Male, 5 yrs 7 mos
Forest Lake, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Buffy D7681's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Buffy D7681

Buffy D7681

German Shepherd Dog

Female, 3 yrs 11 mos
Minnetonka, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Frank's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Frank

Frank

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Male, 4 yrs
Minneapolis, MN

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Animal Charities in Princeton, MN

HeARTs Speak

HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.

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Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

There is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.

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Animal Legal Defense Fund

Every day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.

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