Silhouette of a puppy's face with four ears and a larger snout, depicted in black and white. 
Rescue Directory

Minnesota Animal Rescue & Sanctuary Directory

Find dog and cat rescues, equine and farm animal rescues, wildlife organizations, and sanctuaries serving Minnesota.

Browse by the animals an organization helps or the care it provides. Each listing includes its location, focus, services, and official website so you can learn more about adopting, fostering, volunteering, or supporting its work.

An organization may appear in more than one category when its programs overlap. Animal shelters are listed separately in our Animal Shelter Directory.

Dog Rescues

Organizations rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs through foster care, veterinary treatment, and adoption programs.

Care models and verified no-kill policies are noted in individual listings.

  • Location: Minnesota, with rescue work involving North and South Dakota
    Category: Dog Rescues
    Care model: Volunteer-run, foster-based rescue; no physical shelter
    Organization type: For-profit limited liability company (LLC)
    Focus: Medical-needs dogs · Trauma recovery · Reservation dogs · At-risk shelter dogs

    Emotional Rescue helps dogs requiring medical treatment and support after neglect, injury, or other difficult circumstances. Its work includes rescuing dogs from reservations in North and South Dakota and shelters where dogs face euthanasia.

    Foster families provide daily care and a stable environment while dogs recover and prepare for adoption.

    Donation information: The organization states that donations are not tax-deductible.

    Emotional Rescue

  • Location: Princeton, Minnesota
    Category: Dog Rescues · Cat Rescues
    Care model: Foster-based rescue with kennels for temporary housing
    Focus: Dogs, cats, and small companion animals · Veterinary care · Adoption · Community education

    Ruff Start Rescue helps stray, abandoned, neglected, and surrendered companion animals through a network of foster homes. Care includes vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, and treatment for medical needs before adoption.

    Its work also includes animal transfers, community education, and resources supporting people and pets. Supporters can participate through adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donations.

    Ruff Start Rescue

Cat Rescues

Organizations rescuing, caring for, and rehoming cats through foster care, veterinary treatment, and adoption. Some also provide Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) support for community cats.

Care models and verified no-kill policies are noted in individual listings.

  • Location: Princeton, Minnesota
    Category: Dog Rescues · Cat Rescues
    Care model: Foster-based rescue with kennels for temporary housing
    Focus: Dogs, cats, and small companion animals · Veterinary care · Adoption · Community education

    Ruff Start Rescue helps stray, abandoned, neglected, and surrendered companion animals through a network of foster homes. Care includes vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, and treatment for medical needs before adoption.

    Its work also includes animal transfers, community education, and resources supporting people and pets. Supporters can participate through adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donations.

    Ruff Start Rescue

Equine & Farm Animal Rescues

Organizations rescuing horses, donkeys, and other farm animals from neglect, abandonment, and unsafe situations. Services may include medical care, rehabilitation, responsible adoption, and permanent sanctuary.

Listings identify whether the organization offers adoption, lifelong care, or both.

  • We haven’t added an organization to this category in Minnesota yet. Listings will be added as we identify and review relevant rescues or sanctuaries.

Sanctuaries & Lifetime Care

Organizations providing permanent care for animals who need lifelong protection, including seniors and animals with medical, behavioral, or trauma-related needs.

Some also offer adoption or forever foster programs for suitable animals.

  • We haven’t added an organization to this category in Minnesota yet. Listings will be added as we identify and review relevant rescues or sanctuaries.

Wildlife & Nature Conservation

Organizations supporting wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, public education, habitat protection, or species conservation.

Services vary. Listings distinguish wildlife rehabilitation and release from permanent care and conservation work.

  • We haven’t added an organization to this category in Minnesota yet. Listings will be added as we identify and review relevant rescues or sanctuaries.

Before contacting an organization
Adoption requirements, service areas, and intake availability vary. Please contact the organization directly to confirm its current programs and whether it can help with your situation.

Explore the Animal Shelter Directory