#114 in United States, #6 in Minnesota
Service areas:
The Rescue Crew takes in animals from local shelters and humane societies. These shelters are located primarily within the seven counties comprising the Twin Cities metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties), but we partner with shelters across the entire state of Minnesota and a select group of out-of-state shelters. We also work with tribal lands in Minnesota and the neighboring states of North and South Dakota where opportunities for housing and needed veterinary care of companion animals is poor or non-existent. As we grow, the impact we're making locally continues to increase, as does the support we can provide in helping animals on these tribal lands.
"My daughter started fostering with The Rescue Crew first, because her friend’s mom was very involved with the rescue. With our first foster, we truly jumped into the deep end of the pool. Ginger was afraid of everything and everyone. She was only comfortable outside and with our resident dog. She was afraid of stairs, the floors in the house, and especially men. We had to try all kinds of tricks to get her in the house from outside, and she was so smart she kept us on our toes! We had Ginger for months as we worked to socialize her and shower her with love. She was eventually adopted by a couple & their 2 little girls, still nervous around men but a different, much more comfortable & confident dog. It was so rewarding, we were hooked. Since Ginger, we have fostered over 50 cats & dogs. The rescue is a great resource. We have private facebook groups and I reach out for advice and suggestions often. Success stories, pictures & videos are shared. One thing I love about my rescue is when an animal needs medical attention, the rescue pays as much as is needed to get them well, even if it causes us to put a hold on intake and to reach out with fundraisers. All financial and intake/outtake information is disclosed publicly. All are volunteers along with the founder. I’m very proud to be associated with The Rescue Crew and recommend it all the time to potential adopters and potential fosters."
— dana g.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"The Rescue Crew brought our wonderful Angela Lansfurry into our lives. With grace, compassion, integrity, and a shoestring budget they build families. The care they put into each of their beautiful rescue pups and cats is breathtaking. I would follow any single one of the folks from this entirely volunteer haven into a burning building because I know they would get us out!"
— gradylee s.
Adoptee
"Very deserving!"
— leah l.
Fan
"My experience with The Rescue Crew has been amazing! One of my cats died, leaving a big hole in my life. I looked on Petfinder to begin looking for a new friend and immediately found a picture of the ideal cat. What really sold me was the very thoughful writeup from the volunteer foster. After filling out the adoption application, the foster called very quickly and did her check. We arranged a visit for that Saturday, WIthin seconds of meeting the cat it was clear that he was the right one. The fact that he was fostered in home with other cats make the decision even easier. After being approved by the foster, I came back the next day to pick up the cat. It was clear that the foster really cared about the cat and was pretty emotional about seeing him go. I really appreciate the rescue's communications. They have a great website where they are very transparent about how money is spent and activity within the program. They also have a great facebook group where adopters are kept in the loop. There is really a sense of community that I haven't had with other rescues."
— rob p.
Adoptee
"My Fiancé’ and I sought out rescue to be a companion to our 14 year old dog, Astro. Our hope was that a companion would keep him active and happy. When I submitted my application to The Rescue Crew I disclosed that we were an older couple. That Skittles the dog we hoped to adopt, would most likely be our last dog. We’d had several rescues before and we knew the trauma many had experienced. The Rescue Crew messaged us so fast! They set up a meeting where Astro could come too! Of course we fell in love with Skittles, and after the mandated waiting period we were contacted to come get her! We were so pleased with the entire process. Skittles was tiny, but healthy, groomed, spayed and vaccinated. Her history was shared with us and we had the support of the rescue crew if we needed them in the future. I’ve adopted dogs before. This was my first experience with the rescue crew. It was seamless and fabulous."
— lori g.
Adoptee
"We adopted our beloved dog, Gabe, from the Rescue Crew. This is truly a place where love keeps it running. All of the staff are wholly committed to finding their dogs a home. They have a rigorous screening process, which is absolutely necessary to ensure a happy, healthy future for their rescues. That process included several conversations with multiple staff members, meet and greets, and follow-ups. We were chosen to be Gabe’s parents and the love that was bestowed upon him before us was evident. He is the most loving, social, and good-natured boy. He filled a void we didn’t know we had. Rescue Crew gave us a gift that keeps on giving. We are still in contact with Gabe’s foster mom, who has been open and available for any and all of our questions since day one. We cannot say enough about the people who have loved our boy and ensured his health and happiness. They work tirelessly and often without enough funds, like many rescues. Their work, the way that they do it, and their love/dedication is apparent in all of their rescues and in the way that they communicate on their behalf. They are truly in this for the right reasons. Please consider them, as they are incredibly deserving. Thank you."
— heather g.
Supporter
"I have fostered for the rescue crew for 2 yrs. They are willing to take the medical cases and the local animals. It's a small rescue with a big heart."
— cheryl a.
Volunteer / foster
"I have fostered for over 8 different organizations over the past 22 years. 30 to 40 dogs fostered and 100s transported. I have had to bow out from some rescues, not because of any dog, but usually because of the lack of appreciation/respect shown by the rescue's leadership. The Rescue Crew has been a huge exception. Kind ... Helpful ... Respectful ... Trusting ... and All about the dog's welfare. Spring 2022: I had taken in Iris, a biting chewennie. At the time, I was 'trying' to reach 59.5 years old so that I could retire from teaching. ADHD issues made it very difficult. Iris came at a time when I did not have much energy to give. And, as it turned out, Iris had absolutely nothing to give, no trust in, humans ... I understood. After a few bites, including one to my face, I listened to her (I had 20 years of fostering fairly nice dogs ... Iris taught me that I knew nothing!). She spent 3 weeks amongst the storage area in my basement ... she was an escape artist. She would not come to me, and I did not have the energy to find her. She ate, slept, and, yes, went potty in my basement. Finally, the day came when I slowly moved all of the items, one by one, to the other side of the room. Wearing thick leather gloves, I caught Iris. She spent the next few months in a large, make shift enclosure, in my spare room. I was thankful that she was small. Forward to Fall 2022. Heather and Donna, from the leadership of The Rescue Crew, made a special 2 hour road trip to come help me. I wanted to get Iris on a long leash so that she could be in the main inside area and outside backyard without the option of hiding somewhere! And I needed to be able to take her to the vet and back without harm to either of us. Heather and Donna were very supportive of me, and truly patient & loving with Iris. After a few hours, and some Super Delicious high end treats, Iris was on a long steal mini-cable, and was able to roam amongst the other dogs. She LOVED being in my pack! No, Iris still distrusted "us," but at least now she would not have to live alone. Fast/slow forward to Fall, 2023. Iris still did not "come to me," BUT, she did wag her tail excitedly when I came home from work, and had given up trying to bite me when I needed to pick her up. For baths, nail trims, and vet visits she was a stoic statue ... But, thankfully, no more biting. She had all of her shots, a dental, and had added an extra pound (or two)! She was no longer on a cable, and felt very comfortable in my home. Bless her heart, but Donna had kept in touch ... always wanting to know Iris's progress, and if I wanted to write up a profile for her. In Nov. 2023, after a ruse at my job, and the decision to retire early, I finally had quality time for Iris. After being home for two months, and watching Iris interact with repair men, it was clear to me that huge changes in behavior were not going to happen without significant effort on my part. Financially, I was in great shape, so when Donna contacted me again, I committed to adopting Iris. (age? 7 yrs to 9 yrs young). Donna shared that she knew "Iris was Home," when she visited with Heather in Fall 2022. To say I cried when I heard that is an understatement. It is now the end of March 2024. I have learned that I can pet Iris as long as I don't look directly at her. After many weeks of this non-confrontational attention, I am sooo happy to say that Iris has gained trust and confidence. I can give her a single, gentle rub along her back when she goes out of and into her kennel. This is progress! She approaches me when we are outside, and sometimes, lets me pet her. NONE of this would have been possible without the TRUST that The Rescue Crew had placed in me. Their non-judgemental kindness towards me at a difficult time in my life made a huge impact at a difficult time in Iris's life. It was the Magic we both needed!"
— elizabeth undefined.
Volunteer / foster
"I had lost my beloved Chihuahua of 17 1/2 years named Lupe and had felt so lonely and had so much more love to give. I saw a picture of my now adopted Pebbles on The Rescue Crew web site to foster or foster to adopt. I began the paperwork to foster to adopt. Everything went so very smoothly. All the volunteers from this rescue made me feel welcome and were completely there for me as I fostered little Pebbles. I checked in with them and they immediately took care of any of my issues concerning her needs including ones that were checked out with the vet services. All my questions were answered, and the adoption of Pebbles went through with no issues. I really think that I did not rescue Pebbles; she rescued me."
— judith j.
Volunteer / foster
"We adopted Kody from The Rescue Crew in 2023. The foster was exceptional with her communication (we still text) and she prioritized our family over another because we were the right fit for Kody. This rescue cares about the best interest of the dogs and I would love to see them win!"
— emma t.
Adoptee
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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