Every year, 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters in the U.S. 1.2 Million of these dogs face euthanization because there are few shelters and many dog lovers do not consider adoption when looking for a new companion.
In Minnesota, many healthy and happy pets are waiting for their forever homes in animal shelters and rescue groups. Their forever home could be with your family.
Here’s a list of the top 10 best rescue dog organizations in Minnesota that take in dogs, give them the best care, and treat them with love before they proceed to their lifetime home. If you’re looking for a dog in Minnesota, consider getting rescuing or adopting from one of these organizations.
1. Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue Minnesota
Founded in 2009, Wags & Whisker Animal Rescue in Minnesota is dedicated to saving homeless animals and creating awareness of responsible pet ownership. They rescue cats and dogs and house them in foster homes as they wait for their forever homes.
Interested adoptees need to be 18 years of age or older with a valid picture ID and current address information. They don’t accept student ID’s and adoptees need to pass an interview and home visit. They want to ensure that each of their rescue dogs is going to a safe home.
Their adoption fees range from $255 – $400 depending on the dog’s age. They have a current discount for dogs that have the primary breed of a Pit Bull Terrier.
They serve Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Minnesota Metro area within a 60-mile radius. They also serve Duluth, Rochester, and Mankato within a 30-mile radius.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Shakopee, Minnesota
- Website: Wags and Whiskers Animal Rescue Minnesota
- Email: [email protected]
2. Ruff Start Rescue of Minnesota
Ruff Start Rescue is a foster home-based animal rescue based in Central Minnesota. They rescue neglected, abandoned, stray, and surrendered dogs. In addition, they rescue other animals such as cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rabbits.
Founded in January 2010, Ruff Start Rescue has a family of over 600 volunteers and has rescued over 5,500 animals to date.
They respond within 48 hours and their application processing can take up to 7 days dependent on the home visit availability.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Princeton, Minnesota
- Website: Ruff Start Rescue Minnesota
- Telephone: 763 -355-3981
- Email: [email protected]
3. Northern Lakes Rescue MN
At Northern Lakes Rescue MN, you don’t just adopt a dog from them. You adopt a family. They value love, respect, compassion, and understanding and translate this into the care of their rescued dogs.
They place all their dogs in loving foster homes when they arrive and give them the care they deserve to get them ready for their next life chapter
Application fees range from $275 to $375 dependent on the dog’s age. Puppies are more costly than older dogs because they require more shots and vaccinations.
After adoption, they are keen on remaining part of the dog’s life to cheer on new triumphs and help with struggles. They are truly a great place to rescue dogs in Minnesota.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Pequot Lakes, Minnesota
- Website: Northern Lakes Rescue Minnesota
- Email: [email protected]
4. Pet Haven Dog Rescue Minnesota
Pet Haven Dog Rescue Minnesota was established in 1952 as the first foster-based animal rescue organization in Minnesota. Their mission is to improve the life of pets and pet lovers by rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing cats and dogs. Every animal in Pet Haven’s care lives in a loving foster family.
Adoption fees range from $134 to $483 dependent on the dog’s age. They allow dog lovers to adopt puppies younger than 7 months as well as seniors and special-needs dogs.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Website: Pet Haven Minnesota
- Telephone: 952- 831-3825
- Email: [email protected]
5. Twin Cities Pet Rescue MN
Twin Cities Pet Rescue is in St. Paul, Minnesota. They rescue and re-home dogs and cats. Since 2009, they have placed over 2,000 animals with their loving forever families.
Before adoption, all animals stay in one of their 100 foster family network and receive optimal veterinary care, basic training, and high-quality nutrition to prepare for their lifetime homes.
They don’t allow their dogs to be adopted in homes further than 60 miles from the Minneapolis / St. Paul Metro area. They respond to all applications within 72 hours.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: St. Paul, Minnesota
- Website: Twin Cities Pet Rescue Minnesota
- Email: [email protected]
6. Underdog Rescue Minnesota
Underdog Rescue Minnesota started with an adorable Pitbull puppy, Lucy, and a tiny Toy poodle, Lily, in 2000. Since then, Underdog Rescue MN has grown to rescue and re-home dogs and cats from all walks of life.
They are strict with whom adopts their animals, and the care given to them. They limit puppy adoptions to homes within 60 miles of the Twin Cities, Minnesota area, and require 4-stars or higher for the dog food brand.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog from them, they require a $25 application fee while submitting the application. They respond to puppy applications within 5 working days.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: St. Louis, Minnesota
- Website: Under Dogs Rescue Minnesota
- Email: [email protected]
7. Last Hope Companion Pet Rescue Minnesota
Last Hope Companion Pet Rescue Minnesota is committed to rescue, care, and place dogs and cats in loving homes. Since 1984, They have placed over 45,000 pets across Minnesota to date.
When dogs are received by Last Hope Companion Pet Rescue, one of their veterinarian partners examine the dogs and provide the medical care as needed. They place the dogs in their network of volunteers across the seven-county Minneapolis- St. Paul metro area.
They screen all potential adopters before releasing their dogs into their permanent home. They run adoption days every Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Apple Valley Petco in Minnesota, and PetSmart in Lakeville, MN.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: 431 3rd Street Unit #3, Farmington, MN 55024
- Website: Last Hope Rescue Minnesota
- Telephone: 651-463-8747
- Email: [email protected]
8. Midwest Animal Rescue & Services
Midwest Animal Rescue & Services is a foster-based rescue group that imagines a world without euthanasia for kennel space. They rescue, rehabilitate, foster care, train, and place cats and dogs into caring homes.
Their adoption fees range from $200 to $600 subject to MN sales tax and processing fees at the time of the adoption.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
- Website: Mid West Animal Rescue Minnesota
- Telephone: 763-503-4990
- Email: [email protected]
9. No Dog Left Behind
No Dog Left Behind is based in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. They are 99% volunteer-based and rely on donations to support the cause. Every year, they take in over 500 dogs and place them in their network of foster homes before adoption.
Once an interested adopter fills in an application form on their website, they review the applications within 48 hours and conduct a civil and criminal background check. This is to ensure that the adopter is well-equipped to handle the needs of an adopted dog.
They require potential adopters to be at least 21 years or older. If you’re interested in adopting from this organization, keep in mind you may need to drive to meet and pick up your new furry friend because of their diverse foster network that spreads across Minnesota.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
- Website: No Dog Left Behind Rescue Minnesota
- Telephone: 612-354-6352
- Email: [email protected]
10. Secondhand Rescue Dogs Minnesota
Secondhand Rescue Dogs saves dogs from kill shelters across the Midwest and from hound owners who can no longer provide quality care for their companions.
Since July 2009, they have placed over 20,220 dogs and other animals such as critters and cats into loving forever homes.
Secondhand Dogs coordinators process and respond to applications within 48 hours of submission.
They only allow adoptions to residents of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If you live within these areas and you’re looking to adopt a hound, Secondhand Rescue Dogs is a wonderful organization to adopt from.
Dog Rescue and Adoption Details:
- Address: 5959 Baker Road Suite 390 Minnetonka, MN 5534
- Website: Second Hang Hounds Rescue Minnesota
- Email: [email protected]
Why do people put their dogs for adoption or in a rescue?
Below are some of the most common reasons a dog will be given up for adoption or surrendered to a rescue:
- Cost of dog maintenance. Many people underestimate how much time and money a dog needs. ASPCA estimates that within the first year of dog ownership, a dog can cost a minimum of $1,000. After the first year, the annual cost goes down to $380 to $1,170. Aside from this, dogs need to spend an average of 7 – 14 hours weekly with their owners for attention and company. For dog owners who are busy or cannot be able to meet the costs, dog ownership proves difficult.
- Moving. When many dog owners move to different states or countries, it is challenging to provide quality care for their dogs. They may move to rentals that don’t allow pets, take on demanding time-consuming jobs or the shipping cost is too high.
- No-pet policy. A landlord or management company may not share a dog owner’s enthusiasm or want to deal with the potential damage a dog can do. The dog owner may also not find suitable houses that allow pets.
Conclusion for Best Rescue Dogs Minnesota (Mn)
Adopting a dog is an enormous responsibility. It requires time and money commitment. Some dogs are surrendered from pleasant homes but some have had a rough start to life. This also means that some dogs have special needs and require special attention that you will need to take care of. We advise you to take some time and do the math before you take on a dog.
Owning a dog is a rewarding experience but without being 100% sure you will commit, it’s not worth it.
If adoption isn’t for you, consider volunteering at any of the above organizations and change a dog’s life for the better. We hope that you enjoyed our list of the Best Rescue Dogs Minnesota (MN).
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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