RSR Providing Local Support to Impound Partners

When MooMoo and her three tiny kittens were found living outside, a kind person brought them to a local Minnesota impound, hoping they’d finally be safe. But for MooMoo, a young, timid mother trying to care for three 3-week-old babies, the shelter environment was overwhelming.

She froze in fear inside the busy cat room, not hissing, not swatting, just terrified and shutting down. Still, even in that stressful environment, she kept caring for her babies.

While the shelter provided vaccines and temporary safety, MooMoo and her kittens needed more than a kennel. They needed a calm space, protection from shelter germs, comprehensive vet care, and a foster to help them thrive.

That’s when Ruff Start Rescue stepped in.

MooMoo and her three kittens are now in a loving foster home where they can heal, grow, and finally feel secure.

This family is just one of over 742 animals we’ve transferred from local Minnesota impounds this year, including over 322 from this shelter alone. These partnerships are critical, especially in overcrowded shelters where scared, injured, or vulnerable animals need placement fast.

A shelter partner shared:

“My shelter has partnered with Ruff Start Rescue for many years. Through the good times and the more difficult times, I’ve found Ruff Start to be a steadfast partner who always keeps focused on how to help the most animals in the best way. That includes driving to shelters to meet animals, sending videos to other rescue partners who may be able to help, but can’t come in person, and pulling a wide variety of animal species from dogs and cats to less common animals, like ferrets or birds. They are fast to mobilize during times of crisis and always focus on making wise decisions that balance the passions of animal rescue with the business needs of both our organizations. Ruff Start Rescue is a valued partner in so many ways.”

This is what More Than Rescue looks like.

It’s not just pulling animals; it’s collaboration, logistics, medical care, transport, and creating a bridge between shelters and foster homes so animals like MooMoo don’t fall through the cracks.

Your gift today makes stories like this possible.

On Give to the Max Day, your donation helps us provide full veterinary care for impound animals, offer safe foster homes when shelters are full, respond quickly in emergencies, and care for scared moms, bottle babies, injured pets, and animals facing euthanasia.

These aren’t just intakes, they’re second chances.

Donate today to help more Minnesota shelter pets like MooMoo get the safe landing they need. Because rescue doesn’t end at the shelter door, it begins there.