Ruff Start Rescue

🚨 25 at-risk dogs have arrived! 🚨 We’re LIVE right now at Ruff Start Rescue as we welcome Mickey and his fellow travelers from Houston, Texas! Mickey’s journey started with an injured knee after being hit by a car, but thanks to our #LoneStarToNorthStar Rescue Relief Program, he’s now on the mend and ready for a bright future! These pups are stepping off the transport van and heading to their new beginnings. They’ve been given a second chance at life, and it’s all thanks to supporters like you! #GTMD24 is here and you can make a difference today. Leave your mark on the future of Ruff Start Rescue! With a minimum $10 donation, you can sponsor a custom pawprint that will be displayed in our current space and moved to our new building once it's completed. Your pawprint can honor a beloved pet or person, share a fun message, or cheer on our mission! Simply leave your message in the comments when you donate. Every pawprint is a piece of YOU and your support for our animals, staff, and community. Let’s raise the roof—one pawprint at a time! 💙 Donate here: https://www.givemn.org/story/0jgrdg

Help animals like Casper this #GTMD24

Give to the Max Day is just around the corner on November 21st, and Ruff Start Rescue has set a bold goal of raising $225,000 to support the care of over 3,400 animals! Casper's story is just one of many lives transformed by supporters like you. When we rescued Casper, he was in desperate need of medical care after suffering from severe injuries and starvation. Thanks to the kindness of donors, he's now flourishing in a loving foster home. Your gift today will make it possible to save more animals like Casper, educate communities, and ensure pets find the loving homes they deserve. 💙 #GTMD24

Support Ruff Start Rescue this Give to the Max Day!

Since 2010, Ruff Start Rescue has been rescuing stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered animals in need. We connect people with pets who need them most, giving these animals a second chance at life in loving homes. Every donation makes a difference—whether it's providing essential veterinary care, helping pet owners in need, or saving lives through our rescue efforts. This year, we have an ambitious goal to raise $225,000 during Give to the Max Day to support the care of over 3,400 animals, from routine check-ups to emergency surgeries. Your generous gift today will help us meet this goal and continue our mission to save lives, educate communities, and keep pets in homes where they belong. Will you help us make a difference? Donate today and be part of something life-changing! 💙 #GTMD24 https://www.givemn.org/organization/Ruffstartrescue Big thanks to Acowsay for generously creating this beautiful video!

We're live with Jackie! 🎉 Jackie is a sweet and gentle pup who is potty-trained and kennel-trained, enjoys going for walks, and already knows basic commands! Jackie gets along wonderfully with other dogs and would thrive with an older pup sibling to help her gain confidence. She has a calm demeanor and will make a great companion. Learn all about her: https://ruffstartrescue.org/view-pet/?id=19982464

Ruff Start Rescue Responds to Hurricane-Affected Areas

24 animals joined us from hurricane-affected shelters in North Carolina and Tennessee today, thanks to our partnership with The Humane Society of the United States! These dogs and cats will soon be available for adoption. 🐾 But our work doesn’t stop here! We’re preparing for another transport in the coming weeks to rescue more lives impacted by the hurricane disasters in the Southeast. As we continue our hurricane relief efforts, it’s important to remember that the need for help doesn’t end after the initial outpouring of support. While many shelters received immediate assistance, they will face ongoing challenges in the weeks ahead. In the coming weeks, shelters that have taken in displaced animals will begin to assess how many can find their families. Sadly, many new animals will be abandoned or left unclaimed, and we want to ensure they don’t go unnoticed. That’s where you come in! We urgently need fosters, especially for large breed dogs, to provide these deserving animals with the care and love they need during this critical time. If you’re passionate about making a difference and can open your heart and home to a larger companion, please sign up to help: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/ WCCO & CBS News Minnesota

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome 24 incredible animals—17 cats and 7 dogs—rescued from hurricane-affected shelters in North Carolina and Tennessee! These deserving pets are arriving thanks to our partnership with The Humane Society of the United States. After the animals meet with our veterinary team today, they’ll be on their way to loving foster homes. Do you see someone you can’t live without? Keep an eye on our website for their adoption availability! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated funds to support the animals and to our amazing team of fosters for stepping up to provide them with the care they need. ❤️ As we continue our hurricane relief efforts, it’s crucial to remember that the need for help doesn’t end after the initial outpouring of support. While many shelters received immediate donations and assistance, the upcoming weeks will be critical as they face ongoing challenges. In the weeks ahead, shelters that have taken in displaced animals will begin to see how many of those animals will find homes. Unfortunately, many new animals will be abandoned or left unclaimed, and we want to ensure they don’t go unnoticed. That’s where you come in! We anticipate one more transport and urgently need fosters—especially for large breed dogs. Your support can provide these deserving animals with the care and love they need during this crucial time. If you’re passionate about making a difference and are open to fostering a larger companion, please sign up to help: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/

Rosiemarie on WCCO!

Did you catch this superstar on WCCO & CBS News Minnesota last Friday? 🤩 Rosiemarie dazzled during her appearance in celebration of #PitBullAwarenessMonth!

Foster to adopt CocoChanel!

Has your heart melted yet? 💓 CocoChanel’s days are filled with napping, snuggling, and basking in the sun. His (yes, he’s a male! 😄) absolute favorite thing is curling up next to you on the couch, wrapping himself up like a burrito in his little blanket—he’s the ultimate cuddle bug. Coco is heading to Ruff Start on September 21st and is looking for a foster-to-adopt family! https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/seniors-for-seniors/ #SeniorSaturday

We're all out of wet and dry kitten food and urgently need your help! So far this year, we've cared for 883 kittens, and the requests keep coming. We are currently going through around 2,000 cans (or 83 cases) PER WEEK! Yes, you heard that right, plus the dry food. Kitten food definitely is one of our consistent top items in need. Fostering is free and so we need to make sure and keep enough food on hand to feel these little bellies and supply the fosters with the necessities. Please support our kittens by: 🐱 Purchasing from our wishlists: Amazon Wishlist >> https://amzn.to/3FOVXQ8 Chewy Wishlist >> https://bit.ly/3BKY59b Walmart Wishlist >> https://bit.ly/3sFJWdY 🐱 Dropping off donations at our Princeton office 🐱 Contacting us to arrange a donation: [email protected] Every bit helps keep those tiny tummies full and happy! Share this post to spread the word and rally more kitten-lovers to our cause. Thank you for your support! 🙏

We’re excited to welcome 30 amazing dogs from Houston, Texas! Each month, we team up with Texas rescues and shelters to save dogs from overcrowded conditions and the risk of euthanasia. These sweet pups make their way to Minnesota, where they find loving homes. Our incredible volunteer drivers make this journey possible, transporting our Ruff Start Rescue van to Texas and back. Many of these dogs are still available for adoption, while others are beginning their new lives with foster-to-adopt families. Your support is crucial to our mission. To keep this life-saving work going, we need more fosters, adopters, volunteers, and donations. Visit our website to learn how you can get involved. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission and helping these dogs find their new homes. ❤️