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.

Puppy fosters needed! šŸšØWeā€™re urgently seeking foster homes for two litters totaling 17 puppies coming from a community t...
12/17/2025

Puppy fosters needed! šŸšØ

Weā€™re urgently seeking foster homes for two litters totaling 17 puppies coming from a community that faces significant barriers to accessing animal care and resources. While the mamas remain with their family and spay appointments are being arranged, these puppies need a safe, warm place to land so they can grow, stay healthy, and thrive.

All of the puppies have been living together in the same home, so any combination can foster together, but because theyā€™re just 6 weeks old, they must go in pairs or more.

Details:
ā€¢ Age: 6 weeks
ā€¢ Breeds: 1 German Shepherd mix litter, 1 Basset/Bully mix litter

Males: Lamby, Laser, Leaf, Legend, Lingo, Link, Loop, Ludo, Lux
Females: Lailah, Lake, Lemon, Loopy, Lotus, Lox, Lumen, Lunae

Placing animals into foster homes is how weā€™re able to rescue and support pets from communities with limited access to veterinary care, sheltering options, and animal support services. If youā€™re able to open your home to two or more puppies, please sign up here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/

Questions? Email [email protected]

Transport could be as early as this Sunday (St. Cloud or Golden Valley).

Looking for the perfect gift? šŸŽ Give the gift of a Ruff Start Rescue gift card! Your purchase helps support rescue pets ...
12/16/2025

Looking for the perfect gift? šŸŽ

Give the gift of a Ruff Start Rescue gift card! Your purchase helps support rescue pets in need, while allowing your loved ones to treat themselves or their pets to something special!

We also have e-gift cards available for instant gifting!

Shop here: https://ruff-start-rescue-mn.square.site/

ā€™Tis the season for extra pet safety! šŸ¾With all the decorations, guests, and holiday treats around, itā€™s easy for pets t...
12/16/2025

ā€™Tis the season for extra pet safety! šŸ¾

With all the decorations, guests, and holiday treats around, itā€™s easy for pets to get into things they shouldnā€™t. A little extra awareness goes a long way in keeping everyone safe and stress-free, so the season stays merry for all.

An update on the puppies who needed help šŸ’™Thanks to our supportive community, we were able to welcome a transport of 18 ...
12/16/2025

An update on the puppies who needed help šŸ’™

Thanks to our supportive community, we were able to welcome a transport of 18 puppies from a local reservation on Friday evening. Every one of these pups is now settling into a foster home: safe, warm, and cared for, and theyā€™re officially listed on our website.

This time of year is especially difficult for areas without the resources to support animals in need, and weā€™re grateful to be able to step in when we can. But the truth is, we canā€™t do this alone.

Foster homes are the reason these dogs made it to safety, and theyā€™re the only way we can continue helping during times of crisis. If youā€™ve been considering fostering, please sign up!

https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/

Congratulations to our adoptees from the week of November 30th, and their new families! šŸ„³AmberBaguetteBeastBertieBoo Bis...
12/15/2025

Congratulations to our adoptees from the week of November 30th, and their new families! šŸ„³

Amber
Baguette
Beast
Bertie
Boo Biscuit
Cayenne
Cedar
Chance
Circus Peanut
Claire
Demi
Emilia
Evea
Franny
Iris
Jade
Jiminy
Kerry
Lace
Layla
Leah
LilyPug
Little Elio
Manny
Maple
Mater
Misapi
Mochi
Mollie
Monica
Monty
Moses
Nicki
Nola
Pal
Peppermint Tinsel
Petey
Quinn
Rain
Raspberry
Riley
Riplee
Rose
Ruby
Rumi
Sammy
Seraphina
Sheera
Stallone
Toby
Topo
Vesper
Whisper

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

Amberly is a 1-year-old Jindo mix who came all the way from South Korea, trading life in the dog meat trade for a cozy M...
12/15/2025

Amberly is a 1-year-old Jindo mix who came all the way from South Korea, trading life in the dog meat trade for a cozy Minnesota home. ā¤

A little shy at first, she quickly warms up with gentle pets and tail wags. Calm, curious, and full of love, Amberly is ready to blossom with a patient family who will let her shine.

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

Check out this dapper little guy! Rocky (formerly known as Sylvester) is spending his first holiday season with his new ...
12/14/2025

Check out this dapper little guy! Rocky (formerly known as Sylvester) is spending his first holiday season with his new family. šŸ„°

Share your Ruff Start alum updates to [email protected].

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

Hopeā€™s days were numbered in an overcrowded Ohio shelter in January 2010. The pit bull mix was sufferingā€”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 Hopeā€™s picture with her final plea for a home popped up on Azureā€™s Facebook timeline, she didnā€™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 Hopeā€™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 rescueā€™s president and executive director. Ruff Start is a figurehead of the central Minnesota animal welfare community and has served as the Princeton areaā€™s sole non-profit 501c3 animal rescue organization since July 2010.