Ruff Start Rescue

10/15/2026

We celebrated a major milestone at Ruff Start Rescue with a ribbon-cutting for our new 2,920-square-foot expansion! 🎉

The Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce joined Ruff Start staff and board members to mark this exciting step forward for our organization and the animals who depend on us.

This expansion was designed to improve care today while creating more opportunities to help animals in the future. It includes three new cat rooms with natural light and outdoor-access catios, additional veterinary exam and recovery space, a comfort room for heartworm-positive dogs and transported pets, and new education and volunteer spaces to better support our growing community.

These improvements will also allow us to repurpose existing rooms into dedicated surgery suites, bringing us closer to our goal of increasing spay and neuter capacity and preventing unwanted litters.

Every part of this project was planned with animals, fosters, volunteers, adopters, and our team in mind. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this expansion possible and to the community that continues to support Ruff Start Rescue’s mission of connecting people and pets.

This is more than additional space. It’s an investment in the future of animal welfare and the lives we’ll be able to change for years to come. 💙

10/15/2026

Your home could mean everything to an animal waiting for a foster. 💙

A quiet place to rest. A cozy spot on the couch. Someone willing to give them time to settle in and feel safe.

Fostering gives animals the chance to decompress, receive the care they need, and get ready for whatever comes next. Right now, we need more foster homes so animals aren’t left waiting simply because there’s nowhere for them to go.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Ruff Start provides the food, supplies, veterinary care, and support. You provide the home, patience, and care.

Sign up to foster: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/

Questions? Email [email protected].

Not able to foster right now? Sharing this post could help us reach someone who can.

10/14/2026

Storytime is better with cats! 😻

Kids ages 6+ can join us at our Princeton office for Cat Storytime to read to our resident kitties, help them build confidence, and make a few new furry fans along the way.

October sign-ups are open! One parent or guardian can bring up to two kids for a cozy reading session with our cats. Come share a story and help a kitty feel right at home!

Learn more & sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F49AAAC2BA0F85-66461456-ruff #/

10/14/2026

Winnie believes the best kind of love comes with a little breathing room! This sweet girl blossoms in a calm home where she can enjoy affection at her own pace. 🌸

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/adopt-cats-and-kittens/

10/14/2026

Personal space? Doris hasn’t heard of it! 🥰

This sweet girl is happiest lounging by your side, following you from room to room, and staying within six inches of her favorite human at all times.

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

10/13/2026

Congratulations to the pets adopted the week of September 27th and their new families! 🥳

Annie
Apawllo
Azalea
Blizzard
Boom Boom
Breezy
Bucky
Charly
Cheerilee
Cheerio
Cricket
Dilly
Dutchess
Gracelyn
Gunter
Henry
Herman
Holly
Howard
Izzy
JuneBug
Lars
Lovebug
Mars
Maru
Mary
Matilda
Maximus
Mcgee
Mocha
Nicky
Obelix
Ozzy Pawsbourne
Patton
Pearl
Petey
Pippi
Porter
Prada
Ragweed
Raven
Raven Rose
Reign
Rodger
Ruthie
Skit
Skootle
Squeaks
Squirrel
SunnyDaze
Taoh
Tilly
Warbler
Zelda

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

10/13/2026

Thank you, The Dodo, for sharing Busta Brown's story! 💙

Busta Brown was just 8 months old when he was found abandoned in a Minnesota park during an extreme heat wave. Now, he's living the life every dog deserves 🥹❤️

When Ruff Start Rescue took him in, Busta was severely dehydrated and weak. He soon tested positive for parvo, a potentially deadly illness, and spent three nights at an emergency vet fighting to survive.

But with intensive medical care and a loving foster home, Busta slowly got stronger. Soon, he was playing with toys, demanding belly rubs and showing off his goofy personality.

Just weeks after his rescue, Busta was adopted into a loving family. Three months later, he was running around the yard chasing treats from his new mom. His family says he's "the most amazing boy and member of our family."

From fighting for his life to being completely adored, Busta finally got his happy ending 🐶

10/13/2026

Could your next best friend be on their way to Minnesota? 🤩

Our next transport arrives October 24, bringing another group of dogs north from overcrowded Texas shelters and giving them the chance to start fresh. They’ll be looking for foster-to-adopt homes where they can settle in, show off their personalities, and find their people.

Foster-to-adopt gives you the chance to welcome a dog into your home, get to know them, and make sure it’s the right fit before finalizing the adoption.

Meet the dogs making the trip north:
https://ruffstartrescue.org/.../adoptable.../fta-animals/

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

Want to rep the mission? Show off your pride with Ruff Start merch: https://rsrnorthstar.itemorder.com/shop/home/

10/13/2026

PinkyPie is looking for a lap to call her own. 🩷

This 8-year-old tuxedo girl is all about cozy cuddles, head scratches, and being close to her favorite people. She has mammary masses suspicious for cancer, but right now, she’s feeling good and enjoying life. We can’t know how much time she has, but we know she deserves to spend it loved and comfortable.

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/adopt-cats-and-kittens/

10/12/2026

Lifesaving takes a village, and our Pack Leaders are a big part of what makes it possible. 💙

By giving monthly, you help Ruff Start Rescue plan for the needs of animals in our care, from medical treatment and supplies to the support that helps pets find homes and families stay together. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us be there for more animals who need us.

Choose a monthly amount that works for you and become part of the pack!

Join the Ruff Start Pack: https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/32190-ruff-start-pack-leaders-monthly-giving