Southern Minnesota Animal Rescue Team Inc

Help us to save more special animals in need and save for a permanent facility!

It takes great people in great numbers to do great things. We hope you share our vision and can assist with a donation to Southern Minnesota Animal Rescue Team, Inc. Your pledge is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law and is going to a great cause that is operated by a group of dedicated and experienced individuals.

SMART is a 501(C)3 nonprofit public charity which was founded in 2008 by a group of people who have a deep commitment to the welfare of abandoned and homeless companion animals. The driving force behind the founding of SMART was a nine-month-long experience performing animal rescue in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, during which thousands of abandoned pets were saved.  Our primary purpose is to provide safe-haven and foster/adoption services for abandoned and homeless pets.  Since 2008 we have saved over 1000 dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, mules, chickens, and roosters!

Animals come to us directly as owner surrenders, from our veterinarians, or from various shelters and pounds both in and outside MN.   They also arrive as abandoned pets left in cardboard boxes in SMART's driveway, or at the back door in the middle of the night in a laundry basket with a bed sheet taped over the top.

Some are healthy but MANY are not. SMART has a reputation for taking the sick, the injured, the lonely, the abandoned. We take in those animals that no one else will.  We do everything in our power to help them not only to be healthy but in many cases to save their lives. More importantly, we try to make them happy!  That means finding the perfect furever home for them, and sometimes it means that they stay with us to be loved and safe for the remainder of their lives.

All animals receive the following care prior to adoption:

·         Spay/Neuter

·         Feline Leukemia/FIV Test (cats) or 4Dx test (dogs)

·         Age-appropriate distemper vaccinations and boosters

·         Rabies vaccination

·         Monthly preventatives

·         Deworming

·         Dental care (if needed)

·         any necessary medical care for illness or injury

·         any necessary orthopedic surgery & aftercare/follow-up

·         any necessary training so that they are good in their new homes

It costs ~$50,000 per year just to keep going with the current number of animals we accept, and we need your help to continue doing what we love to do!  A few specific projects that we are working on are listed a the bottom of this page. One of our next goals is to be able to have an intake and housing facility so that we can help more.  The need is so great, and it is heartbreaking to have to say no to an animal in need. Click on the links for more information, and if you would like to give a directed donation.

And please, if you believe in what we stand for, share our story and be part of our "small group"!  Because as Margaret Mead once said, " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  

Enzo's journey from shelter to freedom! THIS is why we RESCUE! THIS is why we need your help!