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 Lorial's adoption status with email updates.
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Lorial

Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier

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

Domestic Shorthair

Male, Kitten
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Creamsicle's adoption status with email updates.
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Creamsicle

Domestic Shorthair

Male, Kitten
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Scarecrow's adoption status with email updates.
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Scarecrow

Domestic Shorthair

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

German Shepherd Dog/Husky

Male, Adult
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Ronnie's adoption status with email updates.
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Ronnie

Domestic Shorthair

Male, Kitten
Princeton, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Purrsephone's adoption status with email updates.
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Purrsephone

Domestic Shorthair

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

Labrador Retriever/Flat-Coated Retriever

Female Puppy
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

Borders Without Boundaries Rescue

21401 E. Birchwood Circle NE,
Cedar, MN 55011

HEART

Maple Grove, MN 55311

Brighton Veterinary Hospital/Animal Control

2615 Mississippi Street,
New Brighton, MN 55112

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

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, 8 mos
Buffalo, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Lia's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Lia

Lia

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 2 mos
Minneapolis, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Okashi's adoption status with email updates.
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Okashi

Chihuahua/Dachshund

Female, Puppy
Minneapolis, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Paisley's adoption status with email updates.
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Paisley

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 7 mos
St. Paul, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Annie's adoption status with email updates.
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Annie

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Young
Minneapolis, MN
We'll also keep you updated on Tigerlily's adoption status with email updates.
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Tigerlily

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 5 yrs 4 mos
Zimmerman, 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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