Ruff Start Rescue

Ruff Start Rescue Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue committed to connecting people and pets.
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We're devoted to saving at-risk companion animals' lives while empowering animal lovers with essential resources. 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. Sign up for our newsletter here>>> https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/i608vLZ/newsletter

Kennel license issued

by the MN Board of Animal Health . Ruff Start is 100% foster-based but has kennels for temporary housing.

Looking for your next family member? Join us at St. Louis Park PetSmart for our Adoption Day Event on Sunday, April 27th...
04/26/2025

Looking for your next family member? Join us at St. Louis Park PetSmart for our Adoption Day Event on Sunday, April 27th from 12:00–2:00 PM! 🐾

Event details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AEqSdaVGL/

We’re experiencing an exceptionally high volume of visitors at our Wellness Clinic today. To ensure we can provide the b...
04/26/2025

We’re experiencing an exceptionally high volume of visitors at our Wellness Clinic today. To ensure we can provide the best care possible, we are no longer accepting new clients at this time. Those already in line will still be seen.

We’re truly thankful for the opportunity to serve so many pets in our community—thank you for your understanding and support! 💙

Happy World Veterinary Day! 🎉There’s no better way to celebrate the amazing work of veterinary professionals than by mak...
04/26/2025

Happy World Veterinary Day! 🎉

There’s no better way to celebrate the amazing work of veterinary professionals than by making your pet’s health a priority—and we’ve got just the thing!

Our Wellness Clinic is happening TODAY, April 26, at the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton from 9 AM to 4 PM!

No appointment is needed—walk-ins are welcome all day. Just be sure to bring any past veterinary records with you.

For everyone’s safety, dogs must be on a leash and cats should be in a secure carrier.

All payments will be made onsite—we accept cash and credit cards for both veterinary services and preventatives. Plus, don’t forget to check out our Ruff Start Rescue merchandise, available for purchase during the event!

We hope to see you and your pets soon!

Details: https://www.facebook.com/share/12LQQjnhDGA/

Once a shy guy, Cowardly Lion has blossomed into a social sweetheart who greets visitors with chirpy meows and soaks up ...
04/26/2025

Once a shy guy, Cowardly Lion has blossomed into a social sweetheart who greets visitors with chirpy meows and soaks up all the head rubs! He’s low-maintenance, tidy, and loves being brushed—he’ll even shift around to make sure you don’t miss a spot! 🦁

Cowardly Lion is FIV-positive, which just means he has a slightly weaker immune system—he can still live a happy, full life and share a home with other friendly cats.

He's available for same-day adoption at the C**n Rapids PetSmart Adoption Center!

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/animals-at-adoption-centers/

This adorable crew has come a long way since they were first found roadside in Texas by our team back in March! 😍Now lov...
04/25/2025

This adorable crew has come a long way since they were first found roadside in Texas by our team back in March! 😍

Now lovingly known as the "Tire Puppies," these resilient little adventurers are headed north to Minnesota on May 3rd—and believe it or not, they're all still looking for foster-to-adopt homes!

Ready to welcome one of these sweet pups into your life? Visit our website to meet them and apply today: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/fta-animals/

This fabulous feline crew — Furby, Mix-Tape, Pogs, and Garbage Pail Kid — gives two paws up for World's Best Cat Litter!...
04/25/2025

This fabulous feline crew — Furby, Mix-Tape, Pogs, and Garbage Pail Kid — gives two paws up for World's Best Cat Litter! 💛

Thanks to this generous company, our cats and kittens are fully stocked with the litter they love. We’re so grateful for the support — and so are our clean, happy kitties!

Thank you, World’s Best, for helping us keep things fresh! 🐱

Find these kittens at a PetSmart adoption center soon.

A HUGE shoutout to the incredible students and staff at Ivan Sand Community High School!After our visit in February, the...
04/25/2025

A HUGE shoutout to the incredible students and staff at Ivan Sand Community High School!

After our visit in February, they got busy raising funds—and with support from their families, school staff, and the Elk River community, they donated an amazing $841.91 to Ruff Start Rescue!

But that’s not all—they also made blankets and toys for our rescue animals.

We’re seriously impressed by their hard work, generosity, and love for animals. Thank you, Ivan Sand students, for stepping up in such a big way! 💙

Looking for a new friend to crash on your couch and steal your heart? 💕Whether you’re into playful pups or cozy cats, we...
04/24/2025

Looking for a new friend to crash on your couch and steal your heart? 💕

Whether you’re into playful pups or cozy cats, we’ve got animals who would love to spend some time in your home.

If you’re curious about fostering or thinking about fostering to adopt, now’s a great time to jump in. Fostering is completely free—we’ll provide the food, supplies, and support. You just bring the love, a little time, and a comfy blanket or two.

Have questions? Email us at [email protected].
Ready to get started? Head to ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/

Remember PrincessPeach? 😍Back in March, this sweet girl was fighting for her life after a severe reaction caused by hear...
04/24/2025

Remember PrincessPeach? 😍

Back in March, this sweet girl was fighting for her life after a severe reaction caused by heartworm complications. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, she got the emergency care she needed — and today, she’s thriving.

Now living her best life in Minnesota, “Miss Peach” (as her friends call her) is soaking up every moment — underbite and all! Think naps, snacks, snuggles, and a healthy dose of Netflix.

She’s still healing and managing some chronic health issues, including a likely torn knee ligament, but surgery isn’t recommended. Instead, she’ll start physical therapy soon, and her pain is well-managed with meds every four hours. Through it all, her spirit has never dimmed.

Peach adores everyone she meets, wiggles her whole body with joy, and carries her purple stuffed fish wherever she goes. She’s currently in a loving foster home and looking for her new family through our Foster-to-Adopt program. 🩷

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/dogs-puppies/

Calling all young readers and feline fans! Join us at Ruff Start Rescue for Cat Storytime — where tails and tales come t...
04/23/2025

Calling all young readers and feline fans! Join us at Ruff Start Rescue for Cat Storytime — where tails and tales come together! 🐱

Let your child’s imagination take flight as they read to our cuddly, curious kitties. It’s a win-win: kids sharpen their reading skills while our cats enjoy some much-needed social time and love.

Email [email protected] to sign up for a time slot!

Chloe is a gentle, affectionate senior kitty who lives for snuggles and quiet company. She’s low-energy, loves to nap be...
04/23/2025

Chloe is a gentle, affectionate senior kitty who lives for snuggles and quiet company. She’s low-energy, loves to nap beside you, and adores every human she meets.

She’s under hospice care for a few age-related conditions (anemia, arthritis, and kidney disease), but she remains full of love and sweetness. Her medical needs are supported, and she comes with everything she needs—you provide the love and a peaceful place to rest her paws. 💕

Find Chloe and our other seniors at: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/seniors-for-seniors/

Our Wellness Clinic is happening this Saturday, April 26, from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Ruff Start Rescue office! 🐾Stop by to ...
04/22/2025

Our Wellness Clinic is happening this Saturday, April 26, from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Ruff Start Rescue office! 🐾

Stop by to get your pets up to date on vaccinations, microchipping, nail trims, and more — no appointment needed!

Please bring any past veterinary records you have for your pets to help us provide the best care.

This event is held in partnership with St. Francis Veterinary Clinic and sponsored by Tom Kadlec Chevrolet.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/16R382QTPX/

This playful pup is full of energy, loves his toys, and lives for mealtime (seriously—he eats faster than his shadow!). ...
04/22/2025

This playful pup is full of energy, loves his toys, and lives for mealtime (seriously—he eats faster than his shadow!). Pedro's a cuddle pro, a zoomie master, and working on his potty training skills.

If you’re looking for a fun-loving best friend who’ll keep you laughing and never leave a crumb behind, Pedro’s your guy! 💙

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/dogs-puppies/

Check out these cuties who were adopted the week of April 6th! Congrats to the pets and their new families! 🥳Alec AzamAp...
04/21/2025

Check out these cuties who were adopted the week of April 6th! Congrats to the pets and their new families! 🥳

Alec Azam
Appa
Bondo
Carina
Castle
Cornelio
Dale
Dorothy
Elsa
Emmy
Fred
Gemma
Gypsy
Halo
Hendrix
Katie
Keisha
Kiki
Maggie
Mags
Marble
Matty
Miles
Millie
Mischief
Momo
Moose
Moose Boy
Niah
Noah-Liam
Ohna
Oiser
Paco
Pearl
Pebble
Penelope
Scarecrow
Scarlett
Screech
Sir Waffles
Snowy
Zorro

Find your new family member at: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/

Remember those adorable pups our team rescued from the roadside in Texas earlier this month? Well, they’re packing their...
04/21/2025

Remember those adorable pups our team rescued from the roadside in Texas earlier this month? Well, they’re packing their bags and heading north—and they’re bringing a whole crew of friends with them! 🐾

All these sweethearts will be arriving at Ruff Start Rescue on May 3rd, and they’re looking for loving foster-to-adopt homes. Apply today!

Our foster-to-adopt program gives families the chance to be temporary caretakers, allowing you to get to know the pup before making a long-term commitment. It's a great way to ensure a perfect match for everyone involved!

Find all these adorable pups here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/.../adoptable.../fta-animals/

Learn more about our foster-to-adopt program here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/foster-to-adopt/

And don’t forget to grab some merch: https://rsrnorthstar.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Address

12526 319th Avenue
Princeton, MN
55371

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17633553981

Website

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Our Rescue Story

Hope’s days were numbered in an overcrowded Ohio shelter in January 2010. The pit bull mix was suffering—emaciated and suffering with heartworm. Azure was no stranger to helping animals in need. She spent her childhood growing up on 50 acres and saving animals of all shapes and sizes, including cats, dogs, squirrels, raccoons, and birds. So when Hope’s picture with her final plea for a home popped up on Azure’s Facebook timeline, she didn’t hesitate to help. The 23-year-old told the shelter she would take Hope as part of a newly developing rescue in her hometown in central Minnesota.

Swiftly, she arranged ground transportation from Ohio to Illinois where a volunteer pilot and his wife from Pilots N Paws waited for Hope’s arrival. The couple flew Hope and another rescue dog directly to the Princeton, MN, airport. Once the plane touched down, Ruff Start Rescue had officially taken in its first rescue dog. True to her nature, Hope was in good spirits. She was placed with a wonderful foster family that was able to give her some much-deserved love, attention, and care. Unsurprisingly, Hope won over her foster family and was adopted by them. And so began Ruff Start Rescue.

Hope was the first companion animal rescued by Ruff Start Rescue since its foundation and the gateway to a career for Azure, who still acts as the rescue’s president and executive director. Ruff Start is a figurehead of the central Minnesota animal welfare community and has served as the Princeton area’s sole non-profit 501c3 animal rescue organization since July 2010.