Whether you’re looking for a feline friend, a canine confidant, a bird buddy, or some other critter, we have a few options to assist you in finding your perfect pet! We know the adoptive journey can be a little overwhelming, and we’re here to help.
If you’d like to chat with a human regarding what qualities you’re looking for in a companion animal, please email our Adoption Matchmaker at matchmaker@ruffstartrescue.org to get the conversation started! Our Adoption Matchmaker will look for good potential matches for you based on the criteria you specify. Please note this process can occasionally take awhile, as many animals are adopted quickly once they are made available for adoption on our site.
If you’d like to try a more electronic option, we’ve constructed a little quiz to help you find a few good adoptables based on your “must have” criteria. Our Compawtibility Quizzes are available for those looking for either cat or dog companions. Give it a try today!
Adoptable Animals
Adopting with Ruff Start Rescue
Adoption applications are the best way to show you are interested in an animal and are not a contractual obligation. Please submit an adoption application if you are interested in adopting or have questions about an adoptable animal.
We remove animals from the website when they have received a surplus of promising adoption applications or when they are adopted, whichever comes first. If you submitted an adoption application for a specific animal, you will be contacted about your application’s status via email. Please check your spam folder for correspondence.
Further questions about the adoption process? Check out our main adoption page.
Need a Little Help?
Whether you’re looking for a feline friend, a canine confidant, a bird buddy, or some other critter, we have a few options to assist you in finding your perfect pet! We know the adoptive journey can be a little overwhelming, and we’re here to help.
If you’d like to chat with a human regarding what qualities you’re looking for in a companion animal, please email our Adoption Matchmaker at matchmaker@ruffstartrescue.org to get the conversation started! Our Adoption Matchmaker will look for good potential matches for you based on the criteria you specify. Please note this process can occasionally take awhile, as many animals are adopted quickly once they are made available for adoption on our site.
If you’d like to try a more electronic option, we’ve constructed a little quiz to help you find a few good adoptables based on your “must have” criteria. Our Compawtibility Quizzes are available for those looking for either cat or dog companions. Give it a try today!
Adoption Programs & Promotions
We are proud to offer multiple programs that make it easier for our foster animals to find their perfect forever families. Learn more about our current adoption programs and promotions, including our Foster to Adopt program, by clicking the link below.
Adoption Center Animals
Ruff Start is lucky to partner with adoption centers who house special cats (and critters) awaiting their forever families*. We currently partner with the following centers:
*Many of these locations are same-day adoption centers, meaning animals housed at these locations can be brought home directly from the store without a lengthy application process. Please call your preferred location to ensure there are animals available for adoption there before visiting with the intention of adopting.
Working Cats
Our Working Cat Program covers cats that come into our care but are not suited for a typical home environment due to under-socialization and/or an increased need to be outdoors with limited human interaction. As such, these kitties should live in a safe, insulated indoor/outdoor building such as a barn, stable, or warehouse, and be provided daily food, fresh water, and necessary veterinary care like immunizations. They’ll earn their keep by mousing your property, meaning it’s a win/win for all involved!
To learn more about our Working Cat program, please visit the program page or fill out an adoption application.