With its beautiful lakes, prairies, and forests, Minnesota is a perfect place for dogs and their owners. Adopting a dog can be a rewarding experience that will fill your life with love for years to come.
We’ve created this guide to make sure you start your journey to pet ownership on the right foot. Here’s everything you need to know about adopting a dog in Minnesota.
Finding a dog in Minnesota
According to the ASPCA, shelters take in almost 3.3 million dogs every year. This means there is definitely a perfect pet out there, waiting to be welcomed into your forever home.
Finding that pet could take a few days or a few months. Trust us, the search is worth it, and shelters are on your side. Responsible pet rescues take the time to make sure they’re placing homeless pups with the best families possible.
Shelters will welcome you at any time of year, but some months see a higher number of dogs than others. As soon as the temperature rises, dog rescues start filling up. If budget is a concern, it’s time to keep your eyes peeled. Some rescues will advertise adoption drives with reduced fees during crowded times. You can also plan to adopt during specialty holidays like Adopt a Dog Month and National Dog Day. Some rescues will reduce their fees to get more adopters in the door.
There are dozens of pet rescue services in the state, so you have your pick of places. You can narrow your pet search by:
- Looking for a specific breed. You can find breed characteristics on the American Kennel Club website. Keep in mind that it can be hard for shelters to accurately identify a dog’s breed without genetic testing, and some pups don’t share those specific traits.
- Only browsing pets available at a specific rescue.
- Browsing aggregated websites like Petfinder or Adopt A Pet.
Banned breeds in Minnesota
Three cities in Minnesota ban a specific type of dog: Byron, Rochester, and Wayzata. The good news is that the banned breed is wolf-dog hybrid. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll find one of these in a shelter, so browse to your heart’s content!
If you rent, double-check your lease to make sure your landlord doesn’t prohibit certain breeds. Shelters may ask for a copy of your lease or for your landlord’s contact information to verify these details for themselves.
The adoption process in Minnesota
Each shelter has its own adoption process, but they all follow the same general format:
- If you find a dog that interests you online, fill out an adoption application. The shelter will contact you about the dog’s availability and schedule an introduction.
- Alternatively, you can visit the shelter first. An adoption counselor will help you choose the perfect pet and give you two some space to interact.
- If it’s a match, you’ll start the adoption process by filling out paperwork. The counselor will likely contact your veterinarian and your landlord (if you rent).
- Once that’s complete, you’ll have a counseling session to prepare you for your new pet. This will cover details like training, expenses, proper diet, and more.
- Finally, you’ll pay the adoption fee (more on that below) and finalize any forms. After that, you and your new companion can head home!
Same-day adoptions can take an hour or more, depending on how long you browse and how busy the staff is. Some rescues request a home visit, which can extend the process by days. Also, if you adopt from an international rescue, it may take a week or more before your dog arrives in Minnesota.
Licensing dogs in Minnesota
Minnesota is a bit more permissive with its dog licensing laws than most areas. The state itself doesn’t require owners to have a pet license, and many cities within are abandoning the practice. Their reasoning: Microchipping is a better method of identifying lost pets, and people are far less likely to encounter rabid dogs.
Still, some cities continue the practice. Minnesotans should ask shelter attendants or check with their local city clerks offices to see any licensing requirements.
The first vet visit
A good shelter will give you all the medical information about your dog that it has on hand. This will include any and all treatments it received at the rescue and anything that is known or can be deduced about the dog’s history. Bring this information to you during the first vet visit.
How much it costs to adopt a dog in Minnesota
Adoption fees in this state cover a wide range. Some shelters don’t list fees on their website, so you’ll have to contact them directly.
Below are adoption fees for three popular rescues in Minnesota.
Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue of MN
- Cost: $255 for pit bull terriers and pit bull terrier mixes, $280 for senior dogs 8 years and older, $380 for dogs older than 6 months, and $400 for puppies 6 months and under, plus sales tax
- What it covers: spay/neuter, microchip implant, rabies/distemper combination vaccination, and monthly flea/tick and heartworm preventative while at the rescue
Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS)
- Cost: $200 to $600, plus sales tax
- What it covers: spay/neuter, flea/tick preventative, rabies/distemper vaccinations, de-worming, heartworm test
Good Karma Animal Rescue of Minnesota
- Cost: $495 to $525, with a $25 deposit credited toward the adoption fee
- What it covers: spay/neuter, rabies/distemper vaccinations, deworming, heartworm test, one year of heartworm and flea/tick preventative, veterinary care while in the rescue, microchip, and state-mandated sales tax
Where to adopt a dog in Minnesota
Here’s a list of shelters serving Minnesota and surrounding states:
- Crossroads Animal Shelter: With a network of around 40 foster homes and a dedicated space for cats and dogs, Crossroads has helped 8,000 animals since its creation.
- Good Karma Animal Rescue: Started by rescuing dogs in the southern and midwestern states, Good Karma now works internationally, rehoming abandoned dogs in the Dominican Republic.
- Great River Rescue: Started in 1977, Great River Rescue saves approximately 400 animals per year.
- Happy Tails Rescue: One of its programs, Cody’s Heros, pairs veterans with emotional support dogs.
- La Crescent Animal Rescue: A no-kill shelter that allows volunteers to sit on its Board of Directors.
- Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS): Sponsors fun events like Puppy Yoga and the Wiggle Butt 5K.
- Ruff Start Rescue: A foster-home based rescue with a network of 600 volunteers, Ruff Start also provides a rescue education program for children and teens.
- Safe Hands Rescue: A 501c3 rescue serving the St. Paul and Minneapolis areas.
- Secondhand Hounds: Partnered with a variety of organizations, including businesses, veterinarians, photographers, and pet training services, so you should have lots of support with your new pet.
- Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota: An all-volunteer rescue committed to helping dogs weighing 20 pounds or less.
- Top Dog Foundation Inc.: Specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming senior and ailing dogs who would otherwise be euthanized.
- Underdog Rescue: A foster-based rescue that has saved more than 2,100 cats and dogs since opening in 2000.
- Tri-County Humane Society: A shelter with a long history and exceptional placement rates (consistently above 90 percent since 2015).
- Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue of Minnesota: A foster-based rescue serving the twin cities.
Creating a care budget for your dog
Being a responsible dog owner means you’ll have to add a few items to your weekly shopping list. Recurring purchases include:
- Food and treats
- Toys
- Dog walking services
- Boarding/pet sitting
- Dental care
- Waste bags
- Exams and vaccinations
- Parasite and flea/tick medications
- Pet insurance
One-off purchases include:
- A collar or harness and a leash
- Crate
- Bedding
- Training sessions
- Pet-friendly cleaning products
- Puppy pads
- Grooming products
A note about pet insurance
Some dogs have higher medical costs than others, especially those who were injured before adoption or are prone to breed-specific ailments. If your pup falls into either category, pet insurance can give you peace of mind. Only you can decide whether this additional expense is beneficial. Get a few quotes to factor into your budget, and see if your employer offers pet insurance as part of its benefits package.
Getting ready for your new dog
You’ll want to get as many essentials as possible before adopting your dog so that the transition from rescue to forever home is as smooth as possible. Your checklist should include:
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- Food, food bowls, and treats
- A sturdy leash and collar or harness
- An appropriately-sized crate
- Grooming tools
- Treats and toys
- Enzyme cleaner
Also, take time to pet-proof your home so your rescue can safely explore his new digs.
And then, bring home your new pet
You’ve got everything ready, so now it’s time to celebrate your new dog. People weren’t exaggerating when they said pets are like family, and now you get to experience all that love and fun for yourself.
And if you ever need a little assistance, our qualified dog sitters and walkers in Minnesota are ready to help.