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.

Who remembers this sweet boy? 🥹When Bee first came into Ruff Start Rescue, he was found curled up outside a warehouse, b...
08/31/2026

Who remembers this sweet boy? 🥹

When Bee first came into Ruff Start Rescue, he was found curled up outside a warehouse, barely able to stand and weighing just 16 pounds. His story was heartbreaking, but his future was about to change.

The woman who found him became his foster and eventually his adopter, and Bee, now Moose, has been thriving ever since.

His family recently shared an update, and the transformation is pretty incredible. Moose is now 45.5 pounds, full of energy, and living the kind of life his younger self could only dream of. He loves swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and being part of every family adventure.

“He is a huge blessing to us and it’s been a privilege to help nurse him back and see the kind of dog he’s become today.”

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped Moose get from that warehouse doorstep to where he is today, including his foster family, Pet Central Animal Hospital, and everyone who supported his recovery.

We love getting updates like this! If you adopted from Ruff Start Rescue, send us your alum updates and photos anytime at [email protected].

Introducing Lonely Hearts Dinners: a night out for the animals still waiting. 💕Once a month, visit a different restauran...
08/30/2026

Introducing Lonely Hearts Dinners: a night out for the animals still waiting. 💕

Once a month, visit a different restaurant around the Twin Cities to enjoy a meal, support Ruff Start Rescue, and shine a little extra light on an animal who has been waiting for a family.

First up: Leeann Chin in Elk River on Monday, August 31! Visit anytime from 11 AM–9 PM for dine-in or takeout and help raise funds for Ruff Start Rescue while helping Isekai find the family she’s been waiting for.

Here’s how to participate:

🐾 Visit Leeann Chin in Elk River on August 31 between 11 AM–9 PM
🐾 Show the event flyer from Facebook on your phone when you check out
🐾 Share Isekai on your social media to help her get noticed

*Isekai will not be at the event, but she’ll be there in spirit, and hopefully one step closer to finding her people.

Event details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bjwayo1Gh/

Weekend plans? Come meet some adoptable Ruff Starters! 🤩Join us Sunday, August 30 from 12–2 PM at the St. Louis Park Pet...
08/29/2026

Weekend plans? Come meet some adoptable Ruff Starters! 🤩

Join us Sunday, August 30 from 12–2 PM at the St. Louis Park PetSmart Adoption Day Event! We’ll have adoptable animals there ready to make some new friends, plus plenty of animals waiting for families at the St. Louis Park PetSmart Adoption Center.

Event details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DpQ7EX89z/

Alfredo is a sweet, dignified 9-year-old who has perfected the art of the cozy life. He loves snuggling on laps, loungin...
08/29/2026

Alfredo is a sweet, dignified 9-year-old who has perfected the art of the cozy life. He loves snuggling on laps, lounging by the window, and quietly keeping his favorite people company. 💙

Find our Alfredo and our seniors here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoption-programs/ -for-seniors

Networking is better with puppies. It’s just a fact. 🐶We had the best time joining WISE Twin Cities for their Brewing Co...
08/29/2026

Networking is better with puppies. It’s just a fact. 🐶

We had the best time joining WISE Twin Cities for their Brewing Connections event at Urban Growler Brewing Company! The evening was full of great conversations, networking, yard games, puppy snuggles, and plenty of wagging tails.

Our four-legged attendees, Kato, Nyx, Misty, and Bjorn, were there to soak up the attention and charm everyone they met. Bjorn has already found his family, but Kato, Nyx, and Misty are still available for adoption!

A huge thank you to WISE Twin Cities for inviting us and to Urban Growler for hosting such a fun evening. We loved being part of it!

Congratulations to the pets adopted the week of August 9th and their new families! 🥳SalchowLeiaHazelBubba GumpRockyBlueC...
08/28/2026

Congratulations to the pets adopted the week of August 9th and their new families! 🥳

Salchow
Leia
Hazel
Bubba Gump
Rocky
Blue
Cadillac Ranch
Cardi
Moseby
Fawn
Princess Black Bee
Boone
Osiris
Juniper
Marvin
Milton
Bill
Margaritaville
Phyllis
Magpie
Stormie
Batman
Mallory
Rainforest Cafe
Fly
IvyPearl
Brownie
Pumpkin
Benihana
Chipz
Yams
Romeo
Cali
Bodie
Nachito
Duke
Rosie Belle
Pumbaa
Bart
Delilah
Rajah
Texx
Coco
Cooper
Cleaves
Mrs. Potts
Rogue
Bloom
Maple
Fennick
Eddie
Ted
Mango
Ebony
Roger
Skol
Crunch

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

Join us at Fleet Farm Blaine for a Clear the Shelter event supporting Ruff Start Rescue! 🐾Stop by Saturday, August 29 fr...
08/28/2026

Join us at Fleet Farm Blaine for a Clear the Shelter event supporting Ruff Start Rescue! 🐾

Stop by Saturday, August 29 from 10 AM–12 PM to learn more about our work, meet adoptable animals, and discover ways you can help pets in need.

Fleet Farm Blaine will also be collecting new and gently used pet supplies and food throughout August to support animals in our care. You can purchase items at the store or bring donations from home and drop them in the collection bin near the front of the store.

Event details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B23WM6YHu/

This is the ripple effect of rescue. 💙Sweet Pepper is a 1-year-old Pit mix who just got a second chance.She came into a ...
08/28/2026

This is the ripple effect of rescue. 💙

Sweet Pepper is a 1-year-old Pit mix who just got a second chance.

She came into a local shelter with painful skin issues and needed continued medical care. Today would have been her code red deadline, but thanks to everyone who helped, Sweet Pepper made it safely to Ruff Start Rescue last week.

And the reason she was able to leave that shelter? A foster home had an opening.

Her foster family explained it perfectly:

“Once a pup finds the perfect home, it frees up our space and time to be able to welcome another dog in need, like Pepper. Knowing she has special medical needs that require extra care, we were only able to take her on knowing she would get all of our attention.”

That opening was more than an empty spot in a home. It was a chance for Sweet Pepper to leave the shelter, receive the medical care she needs, and wake up somewhere safe.

One animal finds a family, a foster home opens up, and another life gets a second chance.

Fosters are what make moments like this possible. If you have room in your home and heart, sign up to foster today and help create the next ripple.

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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