Your Adoption Journey Starts Here
From first click to forever home — we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Why Adopt through
The Rescue Crew?
Your choice to adopt gives a deserving animal a second chance — and makes a difference in countless lives.
At The Rescue Crew, our pets live in loving foster homes, not kennels.
This allows us to truly understand each animal’s personality, quirks, and preferences, which helps us make thoughtful matches between pets and adopters.
When you adopt through The Rescue Crew, you’re not just bringing home a pet. You’re joining a compassionate community that believes every animal deserves a safe, loving, forever home.
The Adoption Process
Step 1 — Find Your Perfect Match
Browse our adoptable pets and see who you fall in love with.
Step 2 — Submit an Adoption Inquiry
Found a pet you’re interested in? Fill out the Adoption Inquiry Form. You can list up to three animals you’d like to meet. You’ll have time to ask questions and meet the pet(s) before making any final decision.
Step 3 — We Review Your Form
A volunteer reviews background, vet, and rental checks. We know you’re excited, and we’ll move as quickly as we can—typically within 48 hours. Please allow for weekends, holidays, and volunteer availability.
Step 4 — Be Patient
The pet’s caregiver reviews your inquiry, and, if they feel it’s a match, will reach out to chat and schedule a meet.
Step 5 — Foster Review and Meet & Greet
Some pets—especially puppies, kittens, and popular breeds—receive multiple Adoption Requests quickly. Fosters may be in contact with several applicants and are asked to respond in 48 hours, but in some cases, it may take 5-7 days.
Step 6 — Finalize the Adoption
Complete paperwork and fee electronically. No check needed (or accepted).
Step 7 — Welcome Your Family Member Home!
Coordinate with the pet’s foster to bring your new furry family member home.
Important Notes:
Adoption Radius
Most of our adoptions occur within a 2–4 hour radius of the Twin Cities. If you live farther away, contact us! We occasionally make exceptions when it’s the right match.
Where Our Rescue Pets Come From
Our pets come from:
Shelters & impounds
Tribal communities
Owner surrenders, strays or adoption returns
By partnering with shelters across Minnesota and beyond, we give animals a second chance at the life and love they deserve.
Many of these animals were out of options. By partnering with shelters across Minnesota and beyond, we give them a second chance at the life and love they deserve.
Our Commitment
to the Pets
Spayed/neutered before adoption
Microchipped with The Rescue Crew listed as guardian
Lifetime safety net — if you ever need to rehome your pet, we’ll work to bring them back into our network rather than a shelter
Start Your Adoption Journey
FAQs About Adoption Fees
-
Complete Medical Exam
Spay/Neuter Surgery
Core vaccinations (such as rabies and distemper)
Flea/tick prevention and parasite control
Microchip & registration
Heartworm test (6+ months) and prevention (dogs)
FIV/FeLV testing (cats)
-
Adoption fees help provide food, litter, supplies, and other medical care for pets waiting for homes — including those who have significant medical needs. While no fee covers the full cost of care, every adoption helps us save more lives.
-
Each year, our team reviews adoption fees across Minnesota rescues to ensure ours remain fair and sustainable. We use a variable fee schedule that considers each animal’s age, breed, and size:
Higher fees may apply to younger, rarer, or higher-demand pets.
Lower fees may apply to seniors, special needs pets, or long-term residents.
-
Adoption fees are subject to Minnesota sales tax. We also pass along standard debit/credit card processing fees charged by our payment provider.
Important Notes
Adoption fees are non-refundable and non-negotiable.
No trial adoptions are allowed, except through our Foster-to-Adopt program.
Please consider carefully before applying to adopt — we want to make sure it’s the right fit for both you and the pet.
Adoption Programs & Promotions
Every pet deserves a chance — especially those who’ve been overlooked or simply need a little extra support.
Our special adoption programs help make that possible, giving every animal the opportunity to find the loving home they deserve.
Fee Assistance Programs (Helping You Save)
-
If you’re 65 years or older, you can adopt a senior pet at a reduced fee:
Dogs (8+ years old) $135 + tax/fees.
Senior cats (10+ years): $75 + tax/fees
Eligible pets are clearly identified in their bios.
-
Some pets simply take longer to find their people — through no fault of their own. To help them find their forever homes, adoption fees are often reduced.
Dogs: $249
Cats: $125
-
Every pet deserves love, regardless of age or ability. Our reduced fees help these special animals find their families:
Hospice Dog: $79
Hospice Cat: $29
Special Needs Dog: $249
Special Needs Cat: $125
Programs for Special Pets (Behavior or Lifestyle Needs)
-
Some pets just prefer to be your one and only — and that’s perfectly okay. These pets thrive as the only pet in the home.
Only dog in the home: $129
Only cat in the home: $69
-
Sometimes two pets share an unbreakable bond. When that happens, we adopt them together at a reduced combined fee of 20%.
Kittens adopted together also receive a 20% discount to support continued socialization and enrichment.
-
Not sure you’re ready to commit? Our Foster-to-Adopt (FTA) program lets you welcome a pet into your home before making it official.
It helps the pet settle in and gives you peace of mind knowing it’s the right fit.
Eligible pets often include long-term residents, seniors, or animals needing extra time to shine.
-
Not every cat dreams of a couch life. Our Barn & Business Cats program helps independent cats live safely and purposefully while keeping your property rodent-free.
Single cat: $30
Pair: $50
All cats are fully vetted, spayed/neutered, and microchipped before placement.
All fees listed are before Minnesota sales tax and standard debit/credit card processing fees.
Training & Boarding Support
-
The best way to build a bond with your new dog? Training together!
Complete Basic/Level 1 Obedience class, or higher, within 90 days of adoption, submit proof of completion, and receive a $50 reimbursement from The Rescue Crew.
How Does it Work?
Simply take your dog to, and complete a minimum of Level 1 Obedience at the professional trainer of your choice within 90 days of adoption.Once you complete your training, fill out the reimbursement form and provide proof of training completion, a check for $50 will be mailed to you.
-
New dog adopters are eligible to receive a gift of Positive Training at Zoom Room in Plymouth, MN, which includes a free evaluation and training session valued at over $100 to help you and your dog start smart with basic training & socialization.
Must be used within 60 days of adoption.
-
As a thank you for saving a life, Dogtopia of Golden Valley, MN offers a free week of daycare, after conducting an on-site “Meet & Greet.”
By providing daycare and funding charitable initiatives, Dogtopia helps dogs live long, healthy, happy lives with safe socialization, exercise, and education through their daycare program.
Newly adopted dogs should adjust at home for 30 days before participating.
