Secondhand Hounds

Secondhand Hounds is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue. Since our founding in 2009, we've rescued over 26,000 dogs, cats and critters.

Since 2009, SHH has achieved amazing things. Together, we have rescued over 26,000 animals. We have provided care for hundreds of hospice dogs and cats. We have saved dozens of neonatal animals. We find it impossible to say no to broken animals who need thousands of dollars worth of surgeries. We have done a lot of good. In no way do I discount all the lives we’ve saved, all the people we’ve helped. But we have to stop bailing out the water from a sinking ship, we need to start patching the holes, too.

Secondhand Hounds is currently working on several initiatives to keep pets with the families that love them during times of uncertainty. We truly believe this is the future of rescue. We recently opened the Chuck & Don's Pet Wellness Center, which houses the People & Pets Together food shelf and expanded services for those struggling with financial insecurity. Services like training classes, veterinary care, and grooming. We also are expanding our collaborations with  tribal communities throughout Minnesota. Being a small part of their successes is a humbling experience we are grateful for. We recently opened the Secondhand Hounds Veterinary Center, allowing us to care for animals throughout our community. All of this costs money. A lot of money. But we believe this is the future of rescue - finding ways to keep pets with their loving owners, providing wellness and spay/neuter surgeries, and education - all with the goal of lessening the number of animals needing rescue.

The truth is, nothing happens at Secondhand Hounds without you. Donations from this community are transformational for Secondhand Hounds. They allows us to dream bigger, be more holistic, and save thousands of lives. To our engagers, using your connections to introduce our mission to new communities and new people, promoting us through social media and by word of mouth - thank you. To our matching donors, who have been so overwhelmingly supportive of all our goals and of our dreams - thank you. Matching donations make such a huge difference when it comes to fundraising.

You are the difference between no and yes for SO many animals and SO many families. We thank you. Whether you donate $5 or $500, we are indebted to you. Today, you make dreams come true.

This new way of rescuing is really a simple one, with a simple strategy. No one with a heart that has room for an animal will be denied having one. And every animal that needs a loving home will find one.

I don’t need to tell anyone here how much good animal companions do for us both physically and emotionally. It’s well documented. We thrive on our connection with our animals. They provide so much comfort, get us out of our heads, and teach us invaluable lessons in unconditional love. Knowing that, I’m going to ask you to dig deep today. Because our need is greater than ever. And we promise you this: If you provide us the means, we will find the way. And together we will all thrive.

Thank you reading this. Thank you for giving. Thank you for believing in Secondhand Hounds – where we are, and where we are going.