Adopt

My name is Fred!

Posted 5 days ago | Updated 4 days ago

Cared for by Ruff Start Rescue
Adoption process
1

Submit Application

2

Meet the Pet

3

Sign Adoption Contract

4

Take the Pet Home

My basic info

Breed
Labrador Retriever/Shepherd (Unknown Type)
Color
Brindle
Age
Puppy
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
Sex
Male
Pet ID
22147789

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Good with kids
Checkmark in teal circle Good with dogs
Checkmark in teal circle Good with cats
Checkmark in teal circle Shots current
Checkmark in teal circle Spayed / Neutered

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.



Fred is Wilma’s brother and an equally sweet, affectionate puppy with a calm yet thoughtful nature. He absolutely loves people of all ages—kids included—and is happiest when he’s near his humans, soaking up attention and affection. Fred is very people-focused and motivated by praise rather than food; he truly wants to please and seeks human approval above all else. Here’s a sweet video of Fred.

He’s been raised around other animals and does wonderfully with them. Fred currently lives with four cats and adores them all, eagerly trying to play and befriend them. Because he’s still a puppy and unaware of his size and strength, his enthusiasm can sometimes be a bit much—but his intentions are purely playful, never aggressive. With guidance and structure, he’ll continue learning appropriate boundaries.

Fred is a smart boy with a natural protective instinct. He’ll patrol the yard and bark if someone approaches, but once they get closer, he tends to back away with a little hesitation, showing more uncertainty than guarding behavior. He listens well and is already picking up basic commands, especially when encouraged with affection and positive attention.

This handsome pup loves toys—especially stuffed toys and small squeaky ones. One of his cutest traits is howling while he chews on squeakers, clearly enjoying every second. He has a nice balance of energy: playful and energetic at times, then calm and relaxed at others. During his higher-energy moments, he really shines with interaction, training, or a “job” to do. He enjoys learning and thrives with consistent engagement. Without an outlet, he can get extra playful with the cats, so enrichment and routine will be key for his continued success.

Fred does great in a fenced yard and shows no interest in digging or escaping. He’s been around chickens, barn cats, and baby goats and doesn’t show much of a prey drive, making him a promising candidate for homes with other animals or even a farm-style environment. He rides well in the car, doesn’t get carsick, and loves classic puppy activities like kisses, gentle wrestling, and exploring with his people close by.

Found abandoned at the end of a long dirt road in rural Texas, Fred has proven to be resilient, trusting, and deeply loyal. Because he’s been raised in outdoor kennels, he’ll need an adopter ready to help him learn indoor living basics, routines, and continued training. With patience, structure, and love, Fred has all the tools to grow into an incredible companion.

Overall, Fred is intelligent, loyal, playful, calm, and incredibly sweet—a really good dog with so much potential. He’d be a wonderful match for an active home, adopters who enjoy training and interaction, or anyone ready to guide a young puppy into a confident, loving family member. 

If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

*Rescue puppies are notorious for losing their birth certificates before entering our rescue. We cannot guarantee the breed or size they will be full grown.*

If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.  



Click here to watch a video of Fred.

Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.
February 2, 2026, 6:59 pm
Rescue

Contact info

Pet ID
22147789
Contact
Address
PO Box 129, Princeton, MN 55371

Their adoption process

1.

Submit Application

Your application simply shows that you are interested in an animal; it is not a binding contract.

2.

Meet the Pet

Your chosen animal’s foster home will reach out to you to discuss the pet you are interested in. If applicable, schedule a meet and greet!

3.

Sign Adoption Contract

An Applications team member will send the electronic adoption contract to you to be signed. They will also request adoption fee payment.

4.

Take the Pet Home

Once adoption agreement and payment are complete, you take your new pet home!

Additional adoption info

After adoption we’d love to remain a resource for you if you have questions or concerns you need help addressing with your new pet. Please reach out to us at adoptionfollowup@ruffstartrescue.org if we can be of any assistance.

Adoption application

Go meet their pets

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based rescue, meaning no animals are available at the Princeton, MN office for public viewing or adoption. All animals in our care reside in foster homes with few special exceptions for our adoption center animals, who are housed at our partnering facilities temporarily before adoption. To meet a Ruff Starter you may be interested in adopting, please submit an adoption application on our website.

More about this rescue

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit companion animal rescue that primarily serves communities throughout the state of Minnesota, as well as states in the south with severe pet overpopulation. We rescue stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other critters. Most of our work is accomplished by a complex network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters, all of whom come together to save thousands of animals each year.

Since our inception, we’ve firmly believed that a home is usually a far more desirable environment than a shelter or a kennel for most companion animals in need of a forever family. As a result, we rely nearly exclusively on volunteers to provide foster homes for rescued pets until they find their adoptive homes. Please note: this means no animals are available at our facility for public viewing.

Each pet in our care is provided with routine vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, microchipped, given internal and external parasite preventatives, and tested for common bloodborne pathogens such as heartworm and feline leukemia. Advanced veterinary care is provided to any animal that requires such services before adoption.

If you are interested in fostering, adopting, or volunteering, please fill out an applicable application at our website: www.ruffstartrescue.org.

Other pets at this rescue