At Ruff Start Rescue, connecting people and pets has always been central to our mission, fuelling both our most ambitious initiatives and our daily efforts.
Whether you’re new to pet parenting or a seasoned pro, welcoming a new pet into your home is always exciting! While we’re thrilled that so many families choose to adopt from reputable rescues like ours, we understand the adoption process can sometimes feel overwhelming and does not always reflect the love and dedication adopters have to offer. That’s why we’ve reimagined the RSR adoption experience to make it more personal, flexible, and efficient—with a conversation-based approach called Adopters Welcome.
A proven approach to pet adoption
Ruff Start Rescue is proud to be a leader in animal rescue in Minnesota, and we align our practices with some of the most respected organizations in the field, including Human Animal Support Services, Best Friends Animal Society, and notably The Humane Society of the United States. By drawing on insights and proven best practices from national leaders who have led the charge with the Adopters Welcome approach, we’ve transformed our adoption process to help get deserving pets into loving homes faster and with an even greater focus on creating great matches.
The RSR approach focuses on meaningful conversations between potential adopters, our staff, and foster families, while minimizing paperwork and streamlining the experience. Since rolling out this change in 2023, we’ve seen firsthand how these personalized interactions provide a more complete picture, enabling everyone involved to make informed and thoughtful decisions.
Research supporting the Adopters Welcome approach demonstrates its positive effects on both adoption rates and animal welfare outcomes. Studies published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science and by the ASPCA show that this method can significantly reduce animals’ average length of stay with shelters and fosters, decrease euthanasia rates, and attract a more diverse pool of adopters. Plus, when implemented effectively, the approach has not been shown to lead to a marked increase in return rates. By emphasizing inclusivity and personalized conversations, Adopters Welcome facilitates more adoptions while maintaining responsible placement standards.
“Adopters Welcome adoption program starts with a philosophical commitment to celebrating people’s willingness to adopt, meeting them where they are in terms of their attitudes and understanding of pet care and investing in their success with guidance and practical support.” —The Humane Society of the United States
What does this mean for our adopters? A streamlined process and more support!
Not only have we simplified and personalized the adoption process we’ve also enhanced post-adoption resources, helping to set everyone up for a lifetime of happy tail wags and belly rubs.
Below are key highlights of the updated process, and we encourage you to explore our adoptions page for more details:
Step 1 — After finding an animal you are interested in on our website or at an event, submit our streamlined Adoption Application form.
Step 2 — You will then be contacted by a Ruff Start Rescue team member and foster family to learn more about you and allow you to learn more about the pet that caught your eye, and ideally set up a meet-and-greet.
- Even if the specific animal isn’t the right fit, this step starts building a connection that could lead to your perfect match with RSR later.
Step 3 — If everyone agrees to move forward, the adoption contract and payment is arranged.
Step 4 — Get ready for your new furry friend to come home!
The heart of the process lies in Step 2—conversations that help all parties determine whether the adoption is the right fit. These connections can be so meaningful that some adopters and fosters choose to stay in touch even after the adoption is finalized—you might even gain a new human friend in the process!
The relationship doesn’t end with the adoption contract
The Adopters Welcome approach not only removes barriers to adoption, it also allows the Ruff Start Rescue team to dedicate more time and resources to supporting the family post-adoption.
In the days, weeks, and months following an adoption, our team proactively reaches out to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide resources or referrals to help smooth the transition. We understand that bringing a new pet into your home can be stressful, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
“We understand that owner surrenders happen for a variety of reasons. Although we believe every animal deserves a loving forever home, we understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned. We are committed to offering comprehensive support, including education, supplies, and, when necessary, re-homing options.”— Julie Lessard, Director of Programs
FAQs
Q: What has been removed from the process?
A: Streamlined application questions: We’ve eliminated unnecessary or repetitive questions to focus on meaningful conversations that provide deeper insights.
Removed background checks, landlord approvals, and vetting checks: These traditional steps, while designed to ensure safe adoptions, often fail to paint a complete picture. They can also feel invasive, leading to frustration or mistrust. Through candid discussions, we can assess a potential adopter’s readiness while building a more positive experience.
- Note: While these practices are not mandatory for our rescue or foster homes, we encourage foster families to meet with potential adopters—ideally through an in-home meeting. This approach builds positive relationships and helps the animals transition smoothly into their new environment.
Q: What is the training process for foster families and volunteers?
A: We provide our foster families, volunteers, and staff with access to resources from industry leaders, along with group training and discussion sessions. These tools empower our team to facilitate adoptions successfully and reinforce a sense of community.
Q: Why didn’t you do this sooner?
A: We take pride in developing programs tailored to our community’s needs. While Adopters Welcome has been implemented successfully by many rescues, we took the time to learn from these leaders, adapt their practices, and confirm that this approach would work well for RSR and our adopters.
At Ruff Start Rescue, we’re dedicated to making pet adoption a welcoming and rewarding experience for everyone involved. As we continue to grow and evolve, we welcome your feedback to help us create even more successful matches between people and pets as 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.
For additional questions, contact us at info@ruffstartrescue.org.