Ruff Start Rescue

Ruff Start Rescue Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue committed to connecting people and pets.
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We're devoted to saving at-risk companion animals' lives while empowering animal lovers with essential resources. 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. Sign up for our newsletter here>>> https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/i608vLZ/newsletter

Kennel license issued

by the MN Board of Animal Health . Ruff Start is 100% foster-based but has kennels for temporary housing.

Chubby was one of Ruff Start’s very first adoptions back in 2010. 15 years later, he’s still living his best life! 💙"Bac...
09/26/2025

Chubby was one of Ruff Start’s very first adoptions back in 2010. 15 years later, he’s still living his best life! 💙

"Back in October of 2010, I applied to adopt a dog through Ruff Start Rescue. A kind person from RSR called me, and after chatting for a bit, she said the dog I applied for didn't seem quite right for me, but she wanted me to consider a different dog - Chubby the bichon frise.

I met Chubby at his foster home, and it was love at first sight for me. He, however, took a bit of time to warm up and get comfortable in his new home. After adopting him, I was in touch with his foster mom a few times to ask for advice on behavior and training, and she was always so helpful. Back then, Chubby didn't trust humans a whole lot, but he loved other dogs, so he got to spend a lot of time in doggy day care, hanging out with my friends and family who also had dogs, and we did a lot of obedience training courses.

Over the years, we've moved to Arizona and traveled a lot. Chubby is happy whether he's tearing around on the beach, bounding through the snow, walking around the neighborhood, or snuggled up by my side. The great experience I had with Ruff Start also inspired me to get involved with a rescue here in AZ. We have fostered more than 30 dogs now, and Chubby is an AMAZING foster brother!

It makes me so happy to see Ruff Start thriving 15 years later and making such a wonderful impact on the community, both the pets and the people. I know many people who have been grateful for the low-cost wellness clinics and other resources Ruff Start provides. Ruff Start Rescue has grown exponentially since 2010, but the heart of the organization remains the same. Thank you all for everything you do - but especially for rescuing Chubby and bringing him into my life."

Celebrate 15 years and 30,000 lives saved with us this weekend at Ruff Start Rescue’s 15-Year Anniversary Open House & Celebration!

Just 2 days to go! 🎉We can’t wait to welcome you to Ruff Start Rescue’s 15-Year Anniversary Open House & Celebration as ...
09/26/2025

Just 2 days to go! 🎉

We can’t wait to welcome you to Ruff Start Rescue’s 15-Year Anniversary Open House & Celebration as we celebrate 15 years and 30,000 lives saved!

Come meet amazing animals, with many cats even available for same-day adoption! Enjoy puppy and kitten cuddles, food vendors, family-friendly activities, new merch, exclusive giveaways, tours, and so much more. You won’t want to miss it!

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/167kwVJjmC/

Huge thanks to Falcon National Bank! Two groups of amazing volunteers came in last week and tackled SO much: unloading a...
09/25/2025

Huge thanks to Falcon National Bank!

Two groups of amazing volunteers came in last week and tackled SO much: unloading and storing 280+ bags of dog food, organizing our expansion area, prepping for the open house, sorting harnesses and leashes, cleaning kennels, putting away plant pots, and giving our office kitties some love!

Your hard work makes a real difference for the animals in our care. 💙

Interested in bringing your team to volunteer? Corporate groups are always welcome. Email us at [email protected]
to get involved!

Fostering truly changes everything. 💙Every day, countless animals are waiting for someone to open the door to a brighter...
09/25/2025

Fostering truly changes everything. 💙

Every day, countless animals are waiting for someone to open the door to a brighter future. When you choose to foster, you’re giving them more than just a safe place; you’re giving them hope, healing, and the chance to be loved.

And you won’t be doing it alone! Ruff Start provides the supplies, vet care, and support you need. All you bring is your heart and a little space in your home.

Sign up: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/
Questions? Email [email protected]

These sweet faces are just a few who are waiting for their chance. Will you help them get it?

Stone's foster mom has an announcement to make! 🎉"He did it!!! 🤩 Stoney finally found his new home! He's been with RSR f...
09/25/2025

Stone's foster mom has an announcement to make! 🎉

"He did it!!! 🤩 Stoney finally found his new home! He's been with RSR for a total of 27 months (between 2021 and 2025). He was their first choice and they are so excited to have him join their family. He has an older brother, a big yard, acres of land up north to look forward to, and two humans who were the best and sweetest to work with.

I'll miss this guy a ton, my crew will miss his bitey face shenanigans, and he always has a place to land with me—but I think Ms. Kitty 🐈 here will be thrilled he's gone and she finally gets a little freedom."

Huge thanks to Stone’s foster for giving him years of love and care, and congratulations to Stone and his new family on finding each other!

Remember these sweet families we introduced last week? They’re all thriving in their foster homes and are now ready to s...
09/24/2025

Remember these sweet families we introduced last week? They’re all thriving in their foster homes and are now ready to start searching for their matches!

💙 Most of Mama PomPom’s little ones have already been scooped up, but she and Spike are still waiting.
💙 Mama Chardonnay, Mama Sangria, and 4 of their adorable pups are also still looking for homes.

Meet them all on our website: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/dogs-puppies/

Happy ! Over the weekend, a brand-new group of Ruff Starters made their way to Minnesota through our Lone Star to North...
09/24/2025

Happy !

Over the weekend, a brand-new group of Ruff Starters made their way to Minnesota through our Lone Star to North Star Rescue Relief Program! Most of these cuties are already settling into foster-to-adopt homes, but a few are still looking for families of their own.

Meet them here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/

Meet Ivana! ✨ She’s a sweetheart with a touch of sass, always up for lap snuggles, baby-style cuddles, and feather toy s...
09/23/2025

Meet Ivana! ✨

She’s a sweetheart with a touch of sass, always up for lap snuggles, baby-style cuddles, and feather toy shenanigans. Ivana would love a home where she can shine as the star of the show (solo or with a super chill pet roommate). Independent yet affectionate, she’s ready to be your playful sidekick and snuggle buddy.

https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-animals/adopt-cats-and-kittens/

Congratulations to our September Volunteer of the Month, Maureen! 🎉Maureen wears many hats within Ruff Start Rescue, mos...
09/23/2025

Congratulations to our September Volunteer of the Month, Maureen! 🎉

Maureen wears many hats within Ruff Start Rescue, most notably as one of our main volunteer trainers, guiding and supporting others with her knowledge and compassion.

When urgent behavior questions come up, Maureen is always just a call away, ready to help fosters navigate challenges and set animals up for success. Her willingness to step in whenever needed shows just how deeply she cares about our mission.

Thank you, Maureen, for all that you do! 🩵

Address

12526 319th Avenue
Princeton, MN
55371

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17633553981

Website

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Our Rescue Story

Hope’s days were numbered in an overcrowded Ohio shelter in January 2010. The pit bull mix was suffering—emaciated and suffering with heartworm. Azure was no stranger to helping animals in need. She spent her childhood growing up on 50 acres and saving animals of all shapes and sizes, including cats, dogs, squirrels, raccoons, and birds. So when Hope’s picture with her final plea for a home popped up on Azure’s Facebook timeline, she didn’t hesitate to help. The 23-year-old told the shelter she would take Hope as part of a newly developing rescue in her hometown in central Minnesota.

Swiftly, she arranged ground transportation from Ohio to Illinois where a volunteer pilot and his wife from Pilots N Paws waited for Hope’s arrival. The couple flew Hope and another rescue dog directly to the Princeton, MN, airport. Once the plane touched down, Ruff Start Rescue had officially taken in its first rescue dog. True to her nature, Hope was in good spirits. She was placed with a wonderful foster family that was able to give her some much-deserved love, attention, and care. Unsurprisingly, Hope won over her foster family and was adopted by them. And so began Ruff Start Rescue.

Hope was the first companion animal rescued by Ruff Start Rescue since its foundation and the gateway to a career for Azure, who still acts as the rescue’s president and executive director. Ruff Start is a figurehead of the central Minnesota animal welfare community and has served as the Princeton area’s sole non-profit 501c3 animal rescue organization since July 2010.