#50 in United States, #4 in Minnesota, #3 in Minneapolis
1606 Mill Ave. Brainerd, MN 56401
https://www.northernlakesrescue.org
Service areas:
We have fosters all over the state of Minnesota, but our primary locations are Duluth, Brainerd, St. Cloud, and suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul
"Northern Lakes Rescue is RELENTLESS in their quest to save and give AMAZING lives to dogs. Their support of their foster parents is top notch and I will be forever grateful for being able to adopt my fur baby from them!!"
— judith y.
Volunteer / foster
"In April 2021 I suddenly and unexpectedly had to say a final goodbye to my dog. I was still working from home due to COVID which made the loss almost unbearable. I began looking for another dog and came across Harper (aka Billie Rocks from the Magnificent Seven litter) at Northern Lakes Rescue. Due to COVID protocols, I spoke to the foster for Harper on the phone and did a video chat home visit. It was decided that Harper would be a good fit. She was almost 5 months old. She had been brought to MN from Texas, adopted, and returned to a foster due to the new owners unforeseen medical issues. I took a leap of faith and arrangements were made for her pickup. The day came and it happened to be the same day I was to pick up my previous dogs ashes. What a bitter sweet day. I picked up his ashes in the afternoon and met and brought Harper home that evening. Harper was so scared of everything and I was suffering from a broken heart. We immediately set up training classes so we could bond. Fast forward three years and she is a happy, outgoing little lady and my heart has been healed. I am so thankful to everyone involved along the way from Texas to Minnesota who were instrumental in bringing us together. I have met many others on our outings about town who also adopted through Northern Lakes Rescue. So many happy, successful adoption stories have been shared among us all."
— ginger j.
Adoptee
"I had a great experience adopting through NLR. After losing my dog of 5+ years I was eager to adopt another rescue dog. NLR made the process fun and I was able to add another family member fairly quick."
— jenna g.
Adoptee
"Adopting from Northern Lakes Rescue was perfect! They answered all my questions about the dog I wanted to adopt. They let me foster to adopt first because of his temperament. He was a dog rescued from dog fighting. They put a lot of work and resources into him. They even continue to be there for us 4yrs after adoption. My dog Wishbone and I love our Northern Lakes Rescue family and I will continue to support and adopt from them! Highly recommend!"
— amber k.
Adoptee
"Both my puppers are NLR rescues. Both are wonderful dogs 🐕 ❤️"
— christie p.
Adoptee
"Northern Lakes Rescue is a great place run by great people. I adopted my dog from them and it was an absolute pleasure the whole way!"
— cody b.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"Northern Lakes Rescue was fantastic to work with, and their care for the animals really shows through in the whole process from vetting an adoptive to meeting and adopting a furry friend!"
— emma m.
Adoptee
"I have been fostering for 3 1/2 years and with all the ups and downs between dogs and humans, Northern Lakes Rescue remains strong. They are very helpful to help make the very best happy forever for every dog that comes into their care. They are very easy to work with and give and listen to everything that us fosters need to help these pups."
— jill s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Northern Lakes Rescue has been pivotal in helping unwanted dogs find forever homes in both TX and MN for the last 7 years. Starting out as a very small rescue, it has grown so much in 7 years and I am proud to be able to be a part of their mission. My baby girl was rescued from them 5 years ago - Momma and Daddy were on the streets in TX. Momma delivered 11 babies. They were scheduled to come to MN and needed a foster. My husband and I stepped up. While waiting to come to MN, 9 of the puppies passed away leaving two baby girls. Momma and Daddy also managed to escape their fosters yard and Momma Rachel somehow degloved her back foot. Now this was a medical foster. We were still willing and gladly took Rachel and her two precious girls into our home. Daddy went with a different foster. Momma took some time to heal, Athena found a furever home as did momma Rachel. Ada was taking some time...and we eventually just adopted her ourselves. She is an excellent protector of her pack. Started as a foster with NLR 5 years ago and am now not only the office manager but also a Board Member. Due to some circumstances that reared their head, we are diligently working to dig ourselves out of a financial disaster that was created and left for the Board to deal with. We will not give up. We work hard every day to regain the communities, donators, supporters, volunteers and adopters trust with complete transparency. We are moving forward, even if it is baby steps."
— stephanie t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter
"The organization is top notch. Facilities are great. But more importantly, they care and value their human fosters too! In my first foster experience I had a hard time picking a new home and navigating the emotional challenges in fostering. They were so supportive. We ultimately found an amazing home for our foster and they were really helpful in making that happen."
— sarah j.
Volunteer / foster
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