Underdog Rescue and Placement is small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the placement of homeless companion animals. We are a foster-based rescue group who works to rehabilitate dogs and cats of all ages and breeds. We believe that all animals deserve caring, responsible homes and we work to place pets with responsible individuals or families.
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 six years, Underdog Rescue has placed almost 1500 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 the wonderful vets with which we work, Underdog Rescue successfully re-homes 20-30 animals each month!
Want to learn more about us or to fill out an online adoption or foster application, please visit our website
E-Mail: dogs@underdogrescue.petml.com
Web Address: www.underdogrescuemn.com