Crystal joined the Ruff Start Rescue team in October 2025 as the Director of Advancement. She’s spent her career building donor relationships, securing major gifts, leading strategies, and helping organizations such as Palmer College of Chiropractic and the YMCA grow their support. At Ruff Start Rescue, Crystal gets to combine her professional experience with something she deeply cares about, helping animals. Her work focuses on building relationships with donors, growing organizational support, and creating opportunities for more animals to find safe, loving homes.
In her free time, you’ll usually find her (and her dog, Buddy) outdoors- kayaking, hiking, enjoying nature, or cheering on her Minnesota sports teams (even when they make it tough to be a fan most years).
In this interview, volunteer Mary Christine Kane talks with Crystal about her experience in animal rescue and her work at Ruff Start.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ANIMAL RESCUE?
My passion took off when I adopted my dog, Buddy, five years ago from Coco’s Heart Rescue. That was my introduction to animal rescue in Minnesota.
Then I lived in Iowa for a few years and I started volunteering and fostering dogs for the rescue Tails in Transit who primarily transports dogs from Texas to Iowa. What started as “just fostering once because this dog had a deadline” quickly turned into eight foster dogs in a single year.
I fell in love with the process- watching nervous dogs decompress, seeing their personalities come out, and helping them find the right home. Being able to use my professional skills to help even more animals makes my role especially meaningful.
tELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW BUDDY WAS A CATALYST FOR YOUR CAREER CHANGE.
Rescuing Buddy totally shifted my perspective on animal rescue and the positive impact that an animal can have. Through him, I saw firsthand the impact of compassion, advocacy, and second chances. And not just on animals, but on people too. Buddy and the fosters I’ve cared for over the past couple of years made me realize I wanted my work to reflect those values, which ultimately led me to my career change and here I am at Ruff Start!
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORK DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
One of the things I love the most about advancement work is that no two days are ever the same.
On any given day I could meet with a donor, help with a Facebook Live session or other social media content, attend a Ruff Start event, or connect with the advancement team to plan new ways to engage and cultivate supporters.
Crystal with her rescue dog, Buddy.
If I’m really lucky, my day might also include my personal favorite part of the job-sitting on the floor giving love to whatever rescue dog is visiting the office that day.
Crystal with colleague, Kendra, at a Timberwolves initiative.
what is your favorite thing about working for ruff start?
By far, the incredible community. Everyone is so welcoming, supportive, and so deeply passionate about the mission. I’m continually inspired by our volunteers, fosters, and community members. Their commitment and compassion are truly what make this work possible.
There’s a sense of pride across the organization, and it’s clear that people love the roles they play in helping animals and the community.
Besides Buddy, what’s an animal rescue story that impacted you?
One of my earliest animal rescue memories was our family dog growing up, Sparky. He was a spunky little mutt who showed up one day as a stray in the alley behind our house. We did everything we could to try to find his owners, but no one came forward. He had signs of neglect, and after about a week of my brother and I begging our mom to let us keep him, she finally caved.
I had grown up with my grandparents always having dogs, but Sparky was our first family dog. He quickly became part of everything we did-tagging along on weekend hockey and basketball tournaments, hotel trips, and family adventures.
Sparky was the best dog we could have asked for. When he passed away from a sudden cancer while I was in college, our family was heartbroken. Losing him was incredibly hard, but he’s also a big part of the reason I’ve always had such a soft spot for animals. He showed me early on just how special the bond between people and pets can be, and why giving animals a second chance matters so much.
What animal-themed item is sitting on your desk right now?
I have a little sign that reads “I work hard so my dog can have a better life.” But maybe one of these days he’ll decide he’d like to help out a little!
What’s the best way to support animal rescues or shelters?
I suggest getting involved in whatever way you are able to. Even if you think you can’t make a big difference, you absolutely can. There are so many ways to make an impact, and every bit of support matters. We couldn’t do the work we do without the support of our volunteers, fosters, donors, and community. If making a large donation isn’t possible, maybe it’s giving a small amount monthly. Maybe it’s volunteering your time, fostering an animal, or even connecting the rescue with someone in your network who could help. One of the things I love most about my role is getting to connect passionate people with opportunities to give back in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable for them.
Want to get involved with Ruff Start Rescue?Learn more about volunteering, fostering, adopting or donating to Ruff Start. Or visit our careers page to learn about job opportunities.
The People of Ruff Start Rescue
Posted: April 8, 2026 by Crystal Bowen
Meet Crystal Bowen
Crystal joined the Ruff Start Rescue team in October 2025 as the Director of Advancement. She’s spent her career building donor relationships, securing major gifts, leading strategies, and helping organizations such as Palmer College of Chiropractic and the YMCA grow their support. At Ruff Start Rescue, Crystal gets to combine her professional experience with something she deeply cares about, helping animals. Her work focuses on building relationships with donors, growing organizational support, and creating opportunities for more animals to find safe, loving homes.
In her free time, you’ll usually find her (and her dog, Buddy) outdoors- kayaking, hiking, enjoying nature, or cheering on her Minnesota sports teams (even when they make it tough to be a fan most years).
In this interview, volunteer Mary Christine Kane talks with Crystal about her experience in animal rescue and her work at Ruff Start.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ANIMAL RESCUE?
My passion took off when I adopted my dog, Buddy, five years ago from Coco’s Heart Rescue. That was my introduction to animal rescue in Minnesota.
Then I lived in Iowa for a few years and I started volunteering and fostering dogs for the rescue Tails in Transit who primarily transports dogs from Texas to Iowa. What started as “just fostering once because this dog had a deadline” quickly turned into eight foster dogs in a single year.
I fell in love with the process- watching nervous dogs decompress, seeing their personalities come out, and helping them find the right home. Being able to use my professional skills to help even more animals makes my role especially meaningful.
tELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW BUDDY WAS A CATALYST FOR YOUR CAREER CHANGE.
Rescuing Buddy totally shifted my perspective on animal rescue and the positive impact that an animal can have. Through him, I saw firsthand the impact of compassion, advocacy, and second chances. And not just on animals, but on people too. Buddy and the fosters I’ve cared for over the past couple of years made me realize I wanted my work to reflect those values, which ultimately led me to my career change and here I am at Ruff Start!
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORK DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
One of the things I love the most about advancement work is that no two days are ever the same.
On any given day I could meet with a donor, help with a Facebook Live session or other social media content, attend a Ruff Start event, or connect with the advancement team to plan new ways to engage and cultivate supporters.
If I’m really lucky, my day might also include my personal favorite part of the job- sitting on the floor giving love to whatever rescue dog is visiting the office that day.
what is your favorite thing about working for ruff start?
By far, the incredible community. Everyone is so welcoming, supportive, and so deeply passionate about the mission. I’m continually inspired by our volunteers, fosters, and community members. Their commitment and compassion are truly what make this work possible.
There’s a sense of pride across the organization, and it’s clear that people love the roles they play in helping animals and the community.
Besides Buddy, what’s an animal rescue story that impacted you?
One of my earliest animal rescue memories was our family dog growing up, Sparky. He was a spunky little mutt who showed up one day as a stray in the alley behind our house. We did everything we could to try to find his owners, but no one came forward. He had signs of neglect, and after about a week of my brother and I begging our mom to let us keep him, she finally caved.
I had grown up with my grandparents always having dogs, but Sparky was our first family dog. He quickly became part of everything we did- tagging along on weekend hockey and basketball tournaments, hotel trips, and family adventures.
Sparky was the best dog we could have asked for. When he passed away from a sudden cancer while I was in college, our family was heartbroken. Losing him was incredibly hard, but he’s also a big part of the reason I’ve always had such a soft spot for animals. He showed me early on just how special the bond between people and pets can be, and why giving animals a second chance matters so much.
What animal-themed item is sitting on your desk right now?
I have a little sign that reads “I work hard so my dog can have a better life.” But maybe one of these days he’ll decide he’d like to help out a little!
What’s the best way to support animal rescues or shelters?
I suggest getting involved in whatever way you are able to. Even if you think you can’t make a big difference, you absolutely can. There are so many ways to make an impact, and every bit of support matters. We couldn’t do the work we do without the support of our volunteers, fosters, donors, and community. If making a large donation isn’t possible, maybe it’s giving a small amount monthly. Maybe it’s volunteering your time, fostering an animal, or even connecting the rescue with someone in your network who could help. One of the things I love most about my role is getting to connect passionate people with opportunities to give back in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable for them.
Want to get involved with Ruff Start Rescue? Learn more about volunteering, fostering, adopting or donating to Ruff Start. Or visit our careers page to learn about job opportunities.
Category: Advocacy, Education, Mission, News, Rescue Tails Tags: animal, Animal advocacy, animal rescue, animal welfare, cats, dogs, education, ruff start rescue