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Last Hope, Inc., has been a registered non-profit organization since 1985 dedicated to saving abandoned, unwanted and helpless dogs and cats. Animals received by Last Hope are examined by a veterinarian and given medical care as needed. If old enough, animals are spayed or neutered.

Until permanently adopted, our animals stay in our volunteer’s homes and receive foster care. Our volunteers care for sick or injured animals until they are fully recovered. Animals are not placed in permanent homes until they have recovered and are in good health.

Last Hope does not believe in destruction of healthy pets. Only animals suffering from incurable illness or injury are humanely euthanized.

I hope you add our web page to your list of favorites and read about our many inspiring stories about rescues of cats and dogs. I am also including some upcoming fund raising and educational events. Also Last Hope appreciates any donations toward our financial needs.

Is there a guiding principal that inspired Last Hope?

When we first began Last Hope someone suggested that we should use the following quote in all of our communications to people about Last Hope.

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of pity and compassion, you will have men who will deal likewise with their own fellow men." Walter Krush

Are the animals you rescue healthy?

Every animal that Last Hope rescues is examined by a veterinarian and given medical care as needed. We test for all common diseases, vaccinate and if old enough, animals are spayed or neutered. We also offer a one week health guarantee. If you notice anything that causes alarm like runny noses or eyes, coughing, sneezing, difficulty urinating or chronic diarrhea, we authorize a visit to the animal's home veterinarian, pay for the visit and any medications needed to insure good health.

What is Last Hope's Spay Neuter Policy?

Last Hope believes strongly in waiting until an animal is six months old before spaying. Although others may endorse earlier procedures, we maintain that it is easier on the animal to wait until they are strong and healthy and can easily recover and thrive.

Do you have a shelter?

Last Hope doesn't have a physical shelter - our animals are placed in loving volunteer homes and receive foster care. More information is available on our Foster Page.

What kinds of things do your volunteers do:

Volunteers are the life blood and circle of love that makes our organization able to rescue over 28,000 animals since 1985. Volunteers act as fosters providing homes for animals until they can find permanent homes. Other activities include attending trade shows to educate the public of our mission, conducting fundraisers like our annual garage sale, the Dakota County Fair, pancake breakfasts, steak fries, and of course, our pet adoption days.

Are my donations tax-deductible?

Last Hope's non-profit 501(c)(3) status allows you to make donations that are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Also, Last Hope has no paid staff. All of your donations go to rescue animals. For more options for making a contribution, visit our How You Can Help page.

What does it cost to prepare an animal for adoption?

Our veterinarian partners provide us with a discounts for medications and office visits. The costs for intake of healthy animals are $165 for cats and $285 for dogs. This does not include antibiotics for upper respiratory infections, medicine for ear mites, round worms, microscopic parasites called coccidia, giardia, or tests to identify a host of other problems that can occur with an abandoned animal depending upon how long it has been homeless. Rarely do the adoption fees fully cover the veterinarian costs.

Our Mission

Saving abandoned, unwanted and helpless animals from euthanasia. Last Hope does not believe in the destruction of healthy pets.

Promoting the end of overpopulation through education and the neutering, spaying of all rescued animals six months and older

Providing medical care as needed for rescued animals from intake to emergency stabilization and life saving surgery to ensure a high quality of life

Finding good, loving homes for our animals through adoption

Educating the public in the responsible care of animals

Volunteers are the heart and soul, our chain of love, who work with and foster our rescued animals. When an animal has been checked by our veterinarian, a foster volunteer is called and the animal is placed in their home.

Until permanently adopted, our animals stay in our volunteer's homes and receive foster care. Our volunteers care for six or injured animals until they are fully recovered. Animals are not placed in permanent homes until they have fully recovered and are in good health.

The volunteers then take their animals to adoption days to find new homes. We also list all of our animals on Petfinder.com, a rescue web site. We screen all potential adopter to be certain that we are making a match that will be a permanent home for an animal that may have had many prior homes and unrest.

There are no paid staff members. All of your donation goes directly to the care of animals. We are a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Your donations are tax deductible to the full extend of the law. Donate now!

Many people ask where we get our rescues. Animal Control Agencies or Pounds call us when people have not claimed their animals. Veterinarian hospitals often will open their doors in the morning to find abandoned puppies and kittens, pregnant cats, and injured animals.

Concerned citizens may find an animal on the side of the road or in their own backyards. Baby Hope was thrown from a moving car. Her injuries were so extensive, that surgeries were required to remove her tail and leg.

Other reasons for animals to be abandoned are changes in life circumstances. People age and are unable to care for lifelong animals, residences change, people divorce and the animals suffer, and sadly people die without a plan for care for their beloved animals. A family member may develop allergies. Anyone with an animal may find that they have to say good-bye to a beloved pet.

This little guy was rescued from a puppy mill where he had been caged for seven years and used as a stud. He was not potty trained because he never left his cage. We rescued Ole so he would not be euthanized.

No matter what the reason, innocent animals bear the brunt of change. Our goal is to find permanent homes for as many animals as we can, minimize the trauma, stabilize the pets health and reduce their stress.

Last Hope, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer, foster-based, no kill pet rescue organization. Last Hope is dedicated to helping unwanted, abandoned and homeless animals. With the help of volunteers, fosters and members, Last Hope, Inc. has found loving permanent homes for over 30,000 animals since 1985.