May is #NationalPetMonth, but for thousands of animals sitting in local shelters, there’s not much to celebrate yet. 💔
This month, Ruff Start Rescue is launching our 2026 Local Love campaign with one bold goal: rescue 100 animals from local impounds and shelters who urgently need a way out. And thanks to a generous donor, every donation made during the campaign will be matched up to $10,000, doubling the impact for pets who need rescue, medical care, and a safe place to land.
For pets like Mason, rescue can be the difference between finally getting a second chance… or running out of time.
Mason spent 113 days waiting in a shelter. Day after day, watching people pass him by, while stress and boredom slowly started to take a toll. By the time he joined us, he was considered urgent.
But despite everything, Mason is still the sweetest boy. He loves squeaky toys, tennis balls, butt scratches, and being close to his people once he feels safe. And thanks to a foster stepping up, he finally got to leave shelter life behind and start fresh.
That’s what this campaign is about. Giving more local animals like Mason the chance to exhale, decompress, heal, and finally be seen.
This May, you can help us make that happen:
🐾 Foster a local impound animal
🐾 Donate toward lifesaving care. All donations will be matched up to $10,000 thanks to a generous donor!
🐾 Share these stories to help us reach more fosters and supporters
When shelters are full, rescue becomes a lifeline. And when fosters open their homes, lives are saved.
Help us show local shelter pets some #LocalLove.
Sign up to foster: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/
Double your impact: https://app.giveffect.com/campaigns/45239-local-love-2026
#Minnesota #Rescue #Foster #AdoptDontShop #Shelter #Local
Having volunteered with animal rescues during National Pet Month, I’ve witnessed firsthand how critical timely rescue efforts are for shelter pets. Animals like Mason, who spent 113 days waiting in a shelter, face immense stress and risk as days go by without adoption. The Local Love campaign’s goal of rescuing 100 animals from local impounds represents more than just numbers—it means giving these pets a real chance to heal and thrive. Fostering plays a huge role in this process. When a foster home steps in, it removes animals from the noisy, crowded shelter environment and provides them with personalized care and comfort. This transition helps pets decompress, which is essential for their mental and physical health. I remember fostering a shy dog who, after spending weeks in a shelter, blossomed into a joyful companion once in a quiet home. It’s rewarding to see how quickly animals respond to kindness and stability. Donations are equally vital. The matched donation program Ruff Start Rescue offers means every dollar goes twice as far to cover medical treatments, food, and other critical expenses. When shelters are overcrowded, these funds can make the difference between life and death. Additionally, sharing stories on social platforms creates awareness and encourages others to foster or donate, which amplifies the campaign’s reach and impact. If you’re considering fostering or donating, think about the difference it can make to an animal’s life. These efforts don’t just change the pets’ futures—they also enrich the lives of those who open their homes and hearts. National Pet Month is a perfect reminder that there’s always a pet waiting for someone to say yes. Together, we can show local shelter pets the #LocalLove they deserve.