Causes: Animal Protection & Welfare, Animals

Mission: Ruff Start Rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need. We improve animal welfare in communities through adoption, education, and providing resources for people and pets.

Target demographics: animals and their people

Direct beneficiaries per year: 3,300 animals

Geographic areas served: Minnesota and support other states

Programs: Ruff start rescue is a non-profit, no-kill, volunteer-based, 100% spay/neuter animal rescue. We care for dogs and cats, and small critters. We provide a predominantly foster based model because we believe that companion animals are happier, healthier, and more successfully socialized in a home and family environment. We rescue animals through impounds, shelters, owner surrenders, and lost/stray animals across the state of Minnesota and in southern states through partners organizations. Beyond rescuing animals, we strive to provide educational resources for the public through a variety of community outreach opportunities. We share information on the importance of spaying and neutering, pet health and well-being, body language, behavioral training, and more. Since march of 2010, Ruff Start Rescue has saved over 9,000 dogs and cats. At any given time, our foster network has the capability to foster 300+ animals. Additionally, our network is quickly expanding to meet the needs of the unwanted pet population. For this reason, we rely on fundraisers, private donations, adoption fees, and grants to fund our rescue efforts.