We are a foster-based rescue so we do not have available animals at our office in Princeton, MN. To meet an animal you are interested in please fill out an adoption application.
Adoption Promotions
Ruff Start Rescue offers the following adoption promotions to give unique animals in the rescue the opportunity to find the perfect home.
Cats That Need You Most
Discounted adoption fee for cats looking for families to provide extra care for their temporary or lifelong medical or behavioral needs. More information on their needs will be provided in their adoption description or by contacting us at placement@ruffstartrescue.org.
Dogs That Need You Most
Discounted adoption fee for pups looking for families to provide extra care for their temporary or lifelong medical or behavioral needs. More information on their needs will be provided in their adoption description or by contacting us at placement@ruffstartrescue.org.
Mom ’n Me
Mom ‘n Me ($175)
Encourages adopters to adopt a kitten and their mom for a one discounted fee.
Seniors for Seniors
Seniors for Seniors ($65)
Offers senior adopters (ages 65+) the opportunity to adopt a pet that is age 9+ for a discounted fee.
Single and Loving It
Animals looking to be the only pet in the home.
We’re Still Waiting
We’re Still Waiting ($99-$125)
Provides a discount for cats and dogs who have been waiting a little too long to find their forever home.
Working Cats
Local Adoption Centers
Ruff Start Rescue has cats, kittens, and critters available for adoption at the following locations:
Minneapolis
Monticello
Plymouth
Richfield
St. Louis Park
Steps to Adoption
Ruff Start Rescue animals are in foster homes throughout Minnesota and various partner adoption centers. Ruff Start Rescue is only able to approve adoptions for residents in Minnesota or nearby states contingent upon the details surrounding each animal.
Application and Approval
If you are interested in meeting an animal or getting more information, start by filling out the adoption application. Your application simply shows that you are interested in an animal. It is not a binding contract. One of our adoption applications managers will process your application and reply within 48 hours of submission. Applications submitted during the weekend may delay processing. Once your application is reviewed, it will be sent to the animal’s foster. A majority of our animals are in foster care while some cats and kittens are available at adoption centers.
Meet and Greet
The foster will review your application and if they feel the animal might be a good fit, they will work with you to schedule a meet and greet. This meeting could take place at an adoption event, neutral location, the foster’s home, or your home. Keep in mind that the foster may be working with multiple applicants to find the best fit for their foster animal.
Home Visit and Veterinary Checks
If your adoption application is chosen and approved, then a home visit will be conducted by the foster family or one of our home-visit volunteers. At the same time, a veterinary check will be done (if applicable) to ensure the adopter’s current pets are up-to-date on vaccines, spayed/neutered, and any illnesses such as FeLV/FIV are tested for. To help expedite this process, please contact your vet and give consent to release records for any family pets.
Contracts and Payment
Once the home visit is approved, an application manager will request payment and send the electronic adoption contract to you to be signed.
Adoption fees cover the cost of spay/neuter surgery, microchip implant, de-worming, flea/tick preventative, heartworm test (for dogs and puppies over nine months), FeLV/FIV test for cats and kittens, and age-appropriate rabies/distemper vaccinations. The adoption fee for each animal can be found on their individual website listing. Adoption fees are non-negotiable.
Pick Up
You will receive an adoption confirmation email when everything is complete and approved. The foster will contact you at that time to coordinate the pick up of your new family member!
Foster to Adopt Program
This program allows you to foster an animal for 10 days or until the animal is up-to-date on vaccines, altered, and ready to be adopted. Animals that are available for this program will have it listed in their bio.
If you decide to adopt then you already have a head start on forming the one-of-a-kind bond with your new pet. If you decide not to adopt, we ask that you continue to let the animal stay with you until an adopter is found.
Fill out a foster application to get started. Questions? Email us at foster@ruffstartrescue.org.
