Meet the Missy's Mate: Ruff Start Rescue
We're excited to welcome our newest Missy's Mate recipient, Ruff Start Rescue!
Founded in 2010 and located in Princeton, MN, Ruff Start Rescue is powered by an expansive network of fosters, volunteers, and donors. They are a foster-based, no-kill* organization dedicated to saving the lives of stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered animals. From dogs and cats to rabbits, guinea pigs, and even ferrets, their mission is simple: to ensure every animal finds a safe, loving forever home while improving animal welfare in communities through adoption, education and resources.
With over 31,000 successful adoptions since their founding, they’ve built a community rooted in compassion, education, and advocacy. Their team works tirelessly to match animals with the right families, offering support every step of the way.
One thing that stands out about Ruff Start are their community wellness and giveback days. In 2024, they donated over 16,000 pounds of food to their local community as well as hosted their 11th community wellness day. These events allow for access to affordable veterinary care to ensure pets and their people have the support they need.
Ruff Start Rescue will receive a portion of our sales between October - December 2025.
To donate directly to Ruff Start Rescue, please visit their website: General Support Fundraising Campaign for Ruff Start Rescue
Ruff Start Rescue hosts many adoption and community events. To learn more about an upcoming event near you, please visit their events calendar: www.ruffstartrescue.org/events
Featured Dogs for Adoption:
Miller: View Pet – Ruff Start Rescue
Miller has been with Ruff Start since 2023. He is a sweet, senior pittie that is all about butt scratches and belly rubs.
LunahLu: View Pet – Ruff Start Rescue
LunahLu pulled at my heartstrings when the Minneapolis Animal Control Center listed her as a high risk for euthanasia dog. Ruff Start jumped in to save this cute girl and one of our customers is fostering her! She is playful, affectionate and very smart and will need an adopter to help continue her training. She is proof of the power of 2nd chances!
Kittee: View Pet – Ruff Start Rescue
Kittee is a gorgeous Akita Shepard mix who is available for hospice adoption. She is approximately 3-4 years old and sadly came into rescue with swelling in her leg. After veterinary evaluation and cytology, she’s been diagnosed with sarcoma with high suspicion of osteosarcoma hence her hospice adoption designation. There is no true cure for this disease. Kittee deserves a family of her own to live out the rest of her years comfortably.
*Ruff Start Rescue’s Stance on the term “no-kill” - The debate over what constitutes a “no kill” shelter is a hot button issue in the animal welfare community and has been for many years. While “no kill” is a very emotionally-charged phrase intended to inspire change, many people do not understand what it truly means – nor what must happen in order for a community, shelter, or rescue organization to achieve such a status. To learn more about this phrase and its background, we recommend checking out Best Friends Animal Society’s “Defining No Kill” webpage. The most widely accepted definition of a no kill shelter matches our philosophy, as well: a no kill shelter (or rescue) is a place where all adoptable and treatable animals are saved and where only unadoptable or non-rehabilitative animals are euthanized.