Underdog Rescue, MN is a nonprofit, foster-based rescue group dedicated to the rehabilitation and permanent placement of homeless dogs and cats of all ages and all breeds. We believe that all animals deserve caring, responsible homes and if there is one common bond between us and our foster volunteers, it is this: we are genuinely moved by each of the amazing animals who come into our care and we believe we are their advocates. Sometimes, the details of their painful pasts are known to us. Sometimes they are not. But always, their need for a caring, stable home is very clear. We have each dog and cat thoroughly examined by one of our partner veterinarians and we ensure that all necessary medical work is completed before placement. By the time they are ready for their new forever family, we have gotten to know them and we are deeply invested in their well being. It is for those reasons that Underdog Rescue, working with its amazing network of volunteer fosters, does everything in its power to ensure that each dog or cat is placed with responsible people who are able to make a lifelong commitment to their new pet. Our fee setting, application, screening and follow up processes are designed solely for that purpose.
About Shannon
Underdog Rescue and Placement was founded in 2000 by Shannon McKenzie, its current Executive Director. Having volunteered for several other animal rescue organizations, Shannon saw a need to help the dogs and cats often overlooked by other rescuers, the “under-dogs.” Our very first rescues included a pair of black kittens named Fenway & Wrigley, a little “Pit Bull” puppy named Lucy and a tiny Toy Poodle named Lily (who was suffering from a head injury). No other rescue groups would take Fenway or Wrigley because black kittens are often overlooked by potential adopters, and, up until the time we rescued Lucy, rescue groups had not been allowed to rescue any dog considered to be a “Pit Bull” from Minneapolis Animal Control.
While in law school, Shannon McKenzie had the anti-”pit-bull” policy changed, with the assistance of Attorney, Marshall Tannick. Underdog Rescue continues to successfully rescue and place 1-3 “Pit Bulls” each week through a continued partnership with Minneapolis Animal Control.
In the last ten years, Underdog Rescue has placed almost 2,150 dogs and cats into loving homes. We could not have done so without the help of our wonderful foster homes, the amazing work of Minneapolis Animal Control officers and staff, the incredible cooperation of Uptown Vet and Hopkins Pet Hospital. Because of our dedicated volunteers and these wonderful vets with which we work, Underdog Rescue successfully re-homes 20-30 animals each month!
