Please read the following general requirements carefully before submitting an adoption application. While this criteria is our typical standard, we understand all situations are unique! Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel you meet one of these bullet points – feel free to submit an application anyway, so we can discuss your situation with you.

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Submitted applications must be filled out fully and factually.
  • All applicants must reside in the state of Minnesota or its bordering states, unless a special exception has been made. Please email us at info@ruffstartrescue.org if you would like to discuss the potential for an out of state adoption.
  • Current pet(s) in the applicant’s home should be up to date on vaccinations (rabies, distemper) and altered (spayed/neutered), for the safety of both them and the adopted animal. If there is a medical reason your pet(s) is not considered up-to-date, this is something that can be discussed with the rescue representative assigned to your application once submitted.
  • Please be aware of any rental/association or home owners’ insurance restrictions you may have before applying. Such limits may include breed restrictions, number of pets allowed, weight requirements, etc.
  • All adopted animals must live indoors with their families and always be monitored closely when outdoors for their safety (with the exception of working cats).
  • We do not allow any medically-unnecessary surgical procedures, such as declawing; defanging; debarking; or cropping/docking (of tails or ears) to be conducted on any animal adopted from our rescue. Please note you contractually agree to this when signing an adoption agreement through our rescue.
When submitting your adoption application, please only press the submit button once.

To ensure your application processes appropriately, please do not use autofill settings when completing your adoption application.

Ruff Start Rescue