Connecting People & Pets.

Your gift today helps connect animals in need with caring individuals and families all over Minnesota and beyond. The animals we save see an immediate benefit from being in a safe and caring environment. The people we connect with those animals also see an immediate impact from the benefits of having a loving pet.

We have a life-changing goal this year – $ 300,000. 

Ruff Start Rescue not only saves animals, but we do our best to keep animals in homes with people as well. Whether that’s providing some additional food, kitty litter, or resources regarding animal welfare, Ruff Start can help! Your gift today will go to help support our animal care program, which provides both routine and advanced veterinary services to dogs, cats, and critters.

Will you consider giving generously today to help Ruff Start raise $300,000 to support the veterinary expenses for the more than 3,800 animals we’re projected to save this year?

We are so grateful to our amazing community of supporters, volunteers, fosters, donors, and business partners for helping us save so many lives, educate thousands of people about animal welfare and create resources for communities and animals in need. Thank you for your support!

Wondering what your donation supports? We’d love to show you.

We’re Ruff Start Rescue. We’re a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue, focused on connecting people and pets in many ways. Our work is vast and impactful for both animals and the humans who love them. 

Since our inception in 2010, we’ve saved the lives of over 20,000 animals. In 2025 alone, we’re projected to rescue 3,800. We technically rescue companion animals like dogs, cats, and critters, but many humans would state we helped rescue them, too, by matching them with pets that love them. 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. 

Our work is generous, and our team – consisting of staff, volunteers, fosters, and supporters – is kind. We’re resource givers, animal advocates, lifesavers, difference makers and more. But at the base of it all, we’re people just like you.

Want to make an even bigger difference in the lives of people and pets this Give to the Max Day? Help us spread the word about the spectacular work we’re doing together!

To make it easier for you to help spread the good word about Ruff Start and the incredible work we do together, we’ve created a custom toolkit, including graphics, how-to’s for fundraising, and language you can use while talking about RSR and why you give!

Any contributions we receive will help support our animal care program, which provides both routine and advanced veterinary services to the dogs, cats, and critters in our care. Those contributions will also positively impact the communities that need us – we help them by providing resources that allow pets to stay in loving homes, and we also help build happy families we truly believe were destined to be.

Want to create change with us? Please, join us in our lifesaving work. We are so glad you’re here.