6 Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Minnesota!

If you are looking for Shih Tzu rescues in Minnesota, you need a solid list to start your search. We have a great list of specialized Shih Tzu shelters in Minnesota and neighboring states. With good reason, Shih Tzus are one of the most sought-after dogs in the United States.

They are small, adorable dogs that beg to be loved and are playful, affectionate, and outgoing. Shih Tzus are people dogs that love to be around their owners and are perfect for families with small children and other pets.

They are also ideal for people who live in urban dwellings like apartments, studios, and shared living spaces. Orphaned animals, abandoned pets, and unwanted strays are unfortunate realities in our world.

Animal shelters and rescues are always searching for suitable homes for these animals, and adopting one can help reduce the number of rescued animals. So, if you want to get a Shih Tzu, we recommend you adopt one from the amazing rescues listed below.

Before you scroll down this list of Shih Tzu rescues in Minnesota, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Border Collie Rescues in Minnesota.

Find a Shih Tzu Rescue Shelter Near Me in Minnesota

Here’s a list of Minnesota’s best Shih Tzu rescues for you to check out.

Shih Tzu Product Recommendations: Best Shampoo For a Shih Tzu and Best Dog Food For a Shih Tzu with Allergies.

1. NorthStar Shih Tzu Rescue – Guiding Their Way Home

NorthStar Shih Tzu Rescue is a dedicated dog and puppy rescue in Minnesota, specifically the recovery of Shih Tzus and Shih Tzu blends. They are a registered 501 (c) (3), and in addition to providing Shih Tzus for adoption, they do a lot of community outreach.

NorthStar is a no-kill shelter that believes in providing medical care and rehabilitation to abused and abandoned dogs so they can be re-homed. NorthStar collaborates with other local shelters, humane society organizations, and pounds to ensure that animals are looked after properly.

All dogs that are put up for adoption have been:

• Spayed or neutered
• Have had basic vaccinations
• Have received critical medical care but may require further treatment even after adoption
• Have been rehabilitated for behavioral issues but may require further reinforcement

NorthStar requires that all adopting families fill out an adoption form and provide references. The foster home will review applications, and if they feel you are a good fit, they will call your contacts.

If the references check out, they will then schedule a home visit. They will meet all of your family members and pets. They will then contemplate the meeting for 24 hours, and if they feel it is a good fit, they will allow you to take the dog home.

NorthStar Shih Tzu Rescue Details

• Website: North Star Shih Tzu Rescue
• Address:  NorthStar Shih Tzu Rescue Tonka Bay, Minnesota
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Phone Number: (952) 470-0657
• Facebook: NorthStar Shih Tzu Rescue’s Facebook

2. Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota

The Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota origin story involves three Shih Tzu dogs and a frantic woman’s call explaining that she needed to surrender the dogs because they were at risk of being shot. The three-prong approach of rescue, re-home, and rehabilitation is at the core of their ideology and objective.

They rescue Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu mixes and believe every dog deserves a second chance. Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota rescues dogs in Minnesota and across the US as long as they have foster homes willing to take the dog in. 100% of the funds are used to take care of the dogs and re-home them, and volunteers run the rescue.

Their Shih Tzu’s come from:

• Owners who are forced to surrender their dogs due to circumstances
• Strays
• Puppy mills
• Shelters
• Retired breeders

Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota hosts a meet and greets on the first Saturday of every month between 10 am and 12 pm. Interested adopters are welcome to meet the dogs available for adoption and register their interest by submitting the adoption application. If you are interested in adopting from Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota, then you can use the contact information below.

Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota Details

• Website: Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota
• Address: PO Box 46562 Eden Prairie, Minnesota
• Facebook: Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota’s Facebook
• YouTube: Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota’s YouTube

3. Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue

Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and serves the area of Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and western Kansas. They receive dogs that come from a variety of different backgrounds. They want to adopt families to know that many dogs have been abused and abandoned.

Generally, the dogs feel ‘lost’ and unsure of where their home is. These issues are addressed at the shelter via training, behavior adjustment, and lots of love, but some dogs may have lingering issues that need follow-up reinforcement by the new owners.

The shelter will inform you of any such matters. Furever Shih Tzu Rescue ensures that adopting families know that Shih Tzus are high-maintenance dogs that must be groomed at least once every six weeks, costing around $60.

They also do not do well if left alone for long periods. Therefore, they caution adopters that this breed might not be for them if they can’t afford the rooming sessions or work long hours and aren’t home for most of the day.

If you are interested in adopting, you should know that Furever Shih Tzu Rescue and Companion Dog Rescue have some strict guidelines that you must follow:

• The dog must always be on a leash and in a fenced yard.
• The dog must be kept on heartworm and flea medication for about nine months out of the year.
• The dog must be an indoor dog and not kept outside.
• The dog must wear an ID at all times.
• You must be at least 21 years to adopt.
• You may not adopt the dog as a present for someone else.

Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue Details

• Website: Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue
• Address: 1915 Sir Lancelot Ln. St. Louis, Missouri
• Phone Number: (877) 829-5500

4. Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.

Shih Tzu Rescue Inc. is located in South Florida and is dedicated to saving and rescuing Shih Tzu dogs. It was established in 1995 with the mission to rescue small and medium companion dogs in addition to Shih Tzus. The Shih Tzu Rescue Inc. is a no-kill shelter that relies on a foster home network that keeps the dogs until they can be re-homed.

The dogs are medically treated and given heartworm medication, required immunization shots, and dental work. Shih Tzu Rescue Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) registered charity that relies on volunteers and the generous donations of patrons.

Their adoption process involves:

• Filling out an adoption application
• Meet and Greet with the dogs
• Home visitation
• Signing an adoption contract
• Paying adoption fees that start at $500

If you want to adopt from Shih Tzu Rescue Inc., you can contact them by phone, as their physical address is just a PO Box. They do not share their actual address as they do not want to encourage people to drop off animals randomly. You will need to make an appointment by phone or email to visit the shelter.

Although this rescue is far from Minnesota, they are a reliable Shih Tzu rescue. They will allow you to adopt their puppy if your application checks outs and you are willing to arrange transportation via pet nanny.

Shih Tzu Rescue Inc. Details

• Website: Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.
• Address: 175 Weston Road, Davie, Florida
• Phone Number: (954) 680-6456
• Facebook: Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.’s Facebook
• Twitter: Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.’s Twitter
• YouTube: Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.’s YouTube

5. Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota

Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota is a small dog rescue in Minnesota that specializes in rescuing dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds. The shelter is run by a team of volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate, and place the dogs in loving homes.

This is a great place to try if you cannot find a Shih Tzu in the other shelters listed above. They do not believe in euthanasia unless the dog has some untreatable illness or behavioral issue that cannot be addressed through training.

The rescue depends on the generous donations of donors and a workforce of essential volunteers. Adoption fees go towards running and supporting the shelter and differ according to the condition and breed of the dog.

They will go out of their way to improve the lives of the animals in their shelter, which in some cases means surgeries that cost thousands of dollars. For this reason, their adoption fee is higher than other shelters.

They have a rigorous application system that ensures that the homes the dogs are placed in will be permanent. They do not want to see the dogs surrendered again and will vet every potential adopting family the best they can to ensure they can take care of the dog.

They are the first rescue in the state to not use the term owner and are part of the Guardian Campaign. They believe animals are not property, and the word guardian should be used instead of the owner.

This small but significant change in terms is part of a more extensive campaign to change the perception of the ownership of animals. Animals we adopt are put in our care as individuals and should be cared for.

Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota Details

• Website: Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota
• Address: Minnesota
• Phone Number: (507) 358-0210
• Email Address: [email protected]

6. Pet Haven

Pet Haven is the first foster-based shelter in the state of Minnesota. It started operations in 1952 and works to re-home dogs and cats in the area. They do allow adoptions outside 75 miles of the twin cities.

But if they have an animal in the shelter for more than 60 days, they will consider adopting families outside the radius. You will need to arrange transportation as Pet Haven cannot transport the dog to you.

All adoption fees will include essential vaccinations, microchipping, spaying, neutering, and heartworm medication. Fees will depend on how old the animal is.

If you are interested in adopting from Pet Haven, then you will need to do the following:

• Take a look at the animals that are available for adoption.
• Fill out an adoption application.
• Set up a Meet and Greet time.
• A home visit will be conducted to see if your home is adequate for the animal.
• You will need to submit paperwork and sign an adoption application.
• Pay the adoption fee and welcome your new pet.

Although Pet Haven is not one of Minnesota’s dedicated Shih Tzu rescues, it is worthwhile to visit their website.

Pet Haven Details

• Website: Pet Haven
• Address: Pet Haven P.O. Box 19105 Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Phone Number: (952) 831-3825
• Facebook: Pet Haven’s Facebook
• Instagram: Pet Haven’s Instagram

More Information About Shih Tzu Rescue in Minnesota

Choosing the breed of dog right for your family is just as important as selecting the rescue. Do you have small children and time to dedicate to the dog? Do you have the budget for the upkeep of the dog? These are all questions you must ask yourself before adopting a Shih Tzu.

Moreover, providing a loving home and stable environment is something that these animals deserve. If you feel your lifestyle might not suit the responsibilities required to keep a Shih Tzu, please do not adopt one. You will abandon a pet for the second time and cause it to feel lost and heartbroken.

More Shih Tzu Guides: Shih Tzu and Maltipoo Mix Guide and Maltese vs. Shih Tzu Dog Breed Comparison.

Conclusion For The “Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Minnesota”

The best Shih Tzu rescues in Minnesota are just a click away now that we have provided you with a comprehensive list. Be sure to contact the shelter for more information and ask any relevant questions regarding the background or history of the pet.

It would help if you tried to find out the history of the pet you are interested in adopting. Knowing why the Shih Tzu was abandoned can be critical when bringing the pet into your home to interact with your family. Here’s hoping you find your adorable Shih Tzu today.

For more guides similar to this list of Shih Tzu rescues in Minnesota, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team:

• Best Shih Tzu Rescues in New Jersey
• Best Shih Tzu Rescues in North Carolina
• Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Ohio

Before you adopt a Shih Tzu companion from a rescue shelter in Minnesota, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “10 Things You Must Never Do to Your Shih Tzu” down below:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eBJDDz2JxAQ