We serve vast communities in need throughout Minnesota and all over the United States. Mending Spirits Animal Rescue is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 100 percent volunteer foster-based animal rescue in Mankato, MN. Founded in October of 2013, MSARs dedicated volunteers of over 200 members have successfully enabled rescue for nearly 4000 animals of roughly 30 different species! We maintain an average of 180 or more animals in foster care, ranging from dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, rabbits, pocket pets, exotics, and farm animals. We are one of the only all-animal rescues in southern Minnesota! MSARs animals are provided:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Distemper and Rabies vaccinations and boosters
• Deworming treatments
• Heartworm tests and treatment/medication (if positive)
• Microchip implant
• FIV and FeLV tests and treatment/medication (if positive)
• Monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives
• Dental care if needed
• Orthopedic surgery and aftercare if needed
• Care for illness and injury
• Food, treats, and supplements appropriate for their nutritional needs
• Access to free training
• Supplies for our fosters (food, crate, bedding, toys, leash, collar, cat litter, etc.) Our Mission:
We successfully rescue animals from animal impound, high kill facilities, owner surrenders, cruelty cases, strays, and puppy mills then place them into well-paired, permanent homes. We serve as a rescue for the community too and educate and advocate for responsible pet ownership, pet retention tools, overpopulation control, affordable spaying/neutering services, supplying pet food during hardship, behavioral management and training, and proper preventative and maintenance care. Our five programs activate our mission and beautifully orchestrate the compassion of our incredible volunteers. Pet Retention Program:
MSAR takes pride in enabling successful pet ownership that is lifelong. We engage in securing proper placements with a screening process. In addition, we have created a Pet Behavior Library, supplying access to professional training and behavioral staff at no cost to our alumni. Our overall return rate is less than 4 percent. Help Them Heal Program:
On average, nearly 50 percent of our intakes are special needs. Let's define “special needs”. The reality is that all animals need special care and love. Special needs animals often require a little extra time, love, and energy. These animals take a certain commitment, especially financially, as they will often need extensive medical care or other supportive services. Special needs animals may suffer from the following:
• Has a physical disability
• Has a chronic or terminal illness
• Is recovering from a serious injury
• Is elderly and/or requires hospice care at home
• Has emotional and/or behavioral problems
The above list is certainly not a comprehensive list of issues and diseases but gives you an idea of what one can expect. Many of our animals’ medical care costs exceed their adoption fees! They all deserve a chance! Securing wellness and a loving forever home for a special needs animal is so rewarding. Healing Heroes Program:
New in 2019, we have launched our Healing Heroes program! MSAR has a professional trainer onboard who custom trains rescued dogs to become a trained service dog for a Veteran in need. We have begun to work closely with Veteran supportive programs to assist with connecting us to Veterans appropriate for this cause. We do not charge higher adoption fees for these specially trained dogs and
the fee is solely funded by fundraising and donation. Pantry Program:
This program utilizes our extra donated supplies to help local families who might be facing uncertainty during this time when financial security, stability, and physical and mental health became the nation's biggest concern. Donations that met the needs of the pets, were facilitated in a safe and contactless manner. Mending Moments Program:
Established in the loving memory of Kelly Hanson
March 7th, 1973 - May 3rd, 2022. Kelly was MSAR’s Board Secretary, Marketing Director, and Specialized Foster Caregiver. Kelly lovingly welcomed countless dogs into her heart and home with immense devotion and compassion. Those special dogs simply needed someone to believe in them while surrounding them with nurturing wholesome care. In May of 2021, Kelly sadly was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Kelly fulfilled and exceeded in all of her roles within rescue while she bravely fought this battle. After Kelly suffered a severe stroke, she peacefully slipped away on May 3rd of 2022. MSAR’s Mending Moments Program promotes a beautiful vision that continues Kelly's heartfelt passion. It embodies Kelly’s ability to provide comfort care. Mending Moments addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of animals with chronic and/or life-limiting diseases. In Kelly’s honor, this program also provides physical and emotional support for the animal’s foster caregiver. Our program strives to create a world in which animal hospice and palliative care services are available to animals and their devoted foster caregivers, lifelong within our community. When animals come into our care, sometimes they are not able to be adopted due to a terminal illness. In these cases, we heavily rely on foster caregivers to provide these animals with love, comfort, and quality care. This is essential during the last moments of their lives. It is important that these homeless animals are afforded the same love and dignity that all beloved pets deserve at the end of their lives. Through Mending Moments, MSAR is able to continue to honor Kelly’s passion. Please help us continue our mission of being the “bridge between; for an animal in need” as we work to ensure an animal will “never be alone and forever in a home”. We appreciate your taking the time to consider supporting Mending Spirits Animal Rescue. Thank You,
Kristy Olson
President
EIN 61-1732397
