Category: General

At Ruff Start Rescue, saving animals takes a community. From the fosters who open their homes and volunteers who give their time to the businesses that find creative ways to support our mission, every partnership helps us reach more people and ultimately, help more animals.We’re grateful to recognize GS-JJ for their generous…

Meet Crystal BowenThe People of Ruff Start RescueCrystal 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…

Meet Dr. Jeremy Riddle The People of Ruff Start Rescue Dr. Jeremy Riddle is Ruff Start Rescue’s medical director. He grew up in Moorhead, MN, and attended veterinary school at Iowa State University. After graduating, he worked as a vet for four years before moving to Princeton in 2004 to…

The people of RSR: Emily S. Emily is the Executive Assistant at Ruff Start Rescue, supporting Executive Director Azure Davis since 2023. Before joining the team, she worked in the Autopsy Lab at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Although moving to Ruff Start was a career shift, her love…

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…

Unleash the Power of Giving - Double your Donation Today! The Minnesota giving holiday - Give to the Max, is coming up on November 16. We have a life-changing goal this year—$ 175,000. Our incredible community of supporters has come together this year to DOUBLE all donations up to $40,000…

Give to the Max Day is right around the corner; on Thursday, November 16! Give to the Max Day (GTMD) is Minnesota's largest fundraising giving holiday - supporting Minnesota nonprofits and schools, including Ruff Start Rescue. In fact, this is our largest fundraiser of the year, and instead of just…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Update: This old boy is a Ruff Starter! Welcome to rescue, Travis [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Imagine being this sweet old man, his name unknown, with no one to call his own. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] This adorable boy was recently brought to a local shelter, and despite their best efforts, his family never came…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Please help! We are out of puppy and kitten food! During puppy and kitten season, we always go through a lot, but we have saved SO many animals just this past month. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Here are just a few facts: We currently have 614 animals IN RESCUE! 227 of those…

Ruff Start Rescue considers all pet adoptions to be a mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals. However, recently the organization has seen an increase in an extra special human-animal bond; adopted pets being adopted by families with adopted children. Executive Director and Founder of Ruff Start Rescue, Azure Davis…

On October 12th, I turned 32 years old. Each year as I'm approaching my birthday, I do a lot of self-reflection. Both on the day of and in the days before the big day, I take careful time to look back on the previous year, my accomplishments, the ups and…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] TRAINING TIP TUESDAY - potty training By: Kim Astle It's crazy to think of Potty Training as a "planned event" but accidents happen. It's time to make a plan. Here's a guideline for you to use... [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Pick your location. On a leash, find a bathroom spot and use…

Declawing is the amputation of a cat's toe at the first joint. It's a major surgery that will leave your cat in pain, possibly for the rest of their life. It causes emotional anguish as well as physical discomfort. Declawing can lead to chronic pain, arthritis, lameness, nerve and tissue…

Congratulations on adopting your new best friend! Please enjoy the following complimentary coupons, which are available exclusively for Ruff Start adopters courtesy of our wonderful partner businesses.  

Trapped in a crate while the winter temperature continued to drop, Rosabella didn't have much time left. She wrapped herself as tight as she could to repel the frigid weather seeping through the wire kennel, but her emaciated body could only do so much to protect her. It's nothing short…

Ruff Start is putting together a 2022 calendar to raise much-needed funds for the animals in our care and we want your pets to be a part of it! Here's how it works Everyone is welcome to submit photos of their dogs, cats, or critters. Once submitted, you'll share your…

The Wanderlust Litter - Krakow, Vienna, Frankfurt, Tallinn, and Zurich were welcomed into Ruff Start on May 23rd, 2021, from one of our South Dakota Reservation partners. They were young and tiny - weighing in at half a pound each and just shy of 4 weeks old. Shortly after arriving,…

Have you ever met someone who had an undeniable, unspoken bond with animals? If not, you're about to. Ever since Chad was a child, he had this precious view of all living things. He loved birds, fish, cats, dogs - any animal you can think of. Chad had the rare…

While adopting an animal from a rescue or shelter is becoming a common trend, especially for those transitioning from plants to pets, some age-old rumors prevent families from adding a rescue pet to their homes. Rescue animals come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, completing families and bringing an abundance…

During the spring of 2016, Zeena roamed the city streets of Minnesota. The temperamental spring weather beat down on her as she maneuvered around moving cars looking for scraps of food. No collar claiming ownership draped her skinny neck as her rough paws hit the pavement. We're not sure how…

By: Kyle Holgate As your beloved dog gets older, you may notice some changes in eating habits, weight and loss of energy. Sometimes, senior dogs appear to lose interest in their food that they once loved scarfing down. Older dogs have a lot of special health concerns. For example, they…

The Petco Foundation has launched its Holiday Wishes Campaign once again. This means that we need our amazing adopters to share their incredible adoption stories with the Petco Foundation. If your story is selected you win a Furrtabulous Petco shopping spree and Ruff Start Rescue could win $100K. You read…

We are in full planning mode for Ruff Start Rescue's 10th Annual Online Auction! NOW officially accepting donations until 11.13.2020. This is one of the biggest and most anticipated fundraisers of the year! You will find all sorts of donated goodies in the online auction including; gift cards/certificates, beer/liquor, sports…

By Brent Honcharenko When Manny, a senior miniature poodle, was brought to Ruff Start Rescue (RSR) and placed with his foster, Sue LaBore, she said the poor condition of his teeth was the first thing she noticed when she lifted his little cheek. LaBore, who has been a foster for…

It's November in Minnesota, meaning it's time to Give to the Max! Give to the Max Day (GTMD), this Thursday, November 19, is Minnesota's giving holiday, a 24-hour online give-a-thon supporting Minnesota nonprofits and schools. Ruff Start Rescue's GTMD goal is to raise $100,000 to support veterinary expenses for the…

Want more ways to support the animals at Ruff Start Rescue? Whether you shop from our online store or through our partners, you can help pets in need while completing your holiday shopping list. Listed below are some of our favorite items. Shop now while supplies last! Please email merchandise@ruffstartrescue.org…

Have you heard how Ruff Start Rescue began? In central Minnesota, a smalltown girl brought her passion for animals to life when a dog in Ohio needed her help. She quickly found a community of like-minded people ready and willing to help at-risk animals in need. Thousands of animals later,…

Help save puppies! At Ruff Start Rescue, puppy season is in full swing! We take in puppies that land in overcrowded shelters in the south, puppies born in challenging conditions on reservations, and unplanned litters close to home. Please help us help them by signing up to foster! We can…

If you've added a few extra paws to your family recently, you may be wondering what steps you can take to set your new pet up for success in your home. Despite their adorable face and desperate pleas to break the rules, it is imperative to start implementing a routine…