Rat Terrier puppies and dogs in Mankato, Minnesota

Meet this sweet little girl! At around 10 pounds, she is a tiny package with a very tender heart. She came to us from a hoarding situation, where she spent much of her life confined to a kennel and simply did not get the chance to experience the kind of love, attention, and everyday family life that every dog deserves. Because of that, she can be timid when meeting new people. She is not unfriendly—she is simply learning that people can be kind and that being loved is something she can trust. Give her a little time, patience, and reassurance, and you will get to see the wonderful girl underneath that shy first impression. Once she feels safe, she is incredibly loving and makes a fantastic little lap dog. She enjoys being close to her person and soaking up all the affection she missed out on before. We think she would do especially well in a calmer home with an older individual or family who understands that the best relationships sometimes take a little time to build. She has already come so far. Now she just needs someone willing to show her what being truly loved feels like. If you have a patient heart and an open lap, she may be waiting for you.

Meet Daisy — a little girl finally getting the second chance she’s always deserved. At 9 years old, Daisy is discovering what it truly means to be loved. Before entering foster care in January, she spent much of her life living on a farm, often in a garage, without the comfort, stability, and companionship every dog should know. Since then, her foster family has watched her slowly blossom into a devoted and affectionate companion.Daisy has made incredible progress in foster care. She is now kennel-trained, leash-trained, and learning household routines beautifully. She does well with pottying outside when let out consistently and continues improving with patience and structure each day.Because of her past, Daisy is looking for a very specific forever home where she can feel safe and secure. After years of relying only on herself, she prefers to be the only pet and would do best in a home without children. Early in foster care, she could be reactive when uncomfortable, but once her pain was identified and properly managed with medication, her true personality began to shine. With trust, consistency, and feeling physically better, she has formed strong bonds with her foster dad and the adults she knows best.And the real Daisy? She’s a sweetheart. A quiet shadow who simply wants to be near her people, soaking up love and companionship. She would thrive in a calm, lower-activity home with a single person or couple willing to continue giving her the understanding and stability she has worked so hard to trust. Daisy will need ongoing pain management, but in return she’ll offer unwavering loyalty, gentle companionship, and a whole lot of love.She may not have always had the chance to be this dog — but now she does. Could you be the one to give Daisy the peaceful forever home she deserves?Daisy is spayed and up to date on all age-appropriate vaccinations. Because of Daisy's level of daily pain, she takes gabapentin three times daily (around $35/month) and previcox once daily (around $75/month). This medication treatment should continue after she is adopted and will be the adopter's financial responsibility. Please don't let this deter you from providing Daisy her final fur-ever home! To schedule a meet-and-greet, contact:• 507-451-4512 • steelecountyhumanesociety@gmail.com Adoption fee: NONE

If you're looking for a little dog with a big personality, endless enthusiasm, and enough love to fill an entire household, Remy might just be your guy! Remy is an approximately 4 1/2 year old Jack Russell Terrier mix weighing around 21 pounds. He's a spirited, affectionate, incredibly playful little fellow who has a whole lot of energy packed into his small frame. If you're familiar with Jack Russells, you probably already know that these dogs are often intelligent, athletic, determined, and full of personality. Remy certainly seems to fit that description! Remy has experienced quite a few changes throughout his life. His previous owner sadly passed away, and for the last year and a half, he's been living with a family who has loved him dearly. Unfortunately, changing work schedules, longer hours away from home, and the challenges of apartment living have made it increasingly difficult to meet Remy's needs. His family wanted him to have the opportunity to thrive in an environment better suited to his personality and energy level. Since arriving at BENCHS, Remy has struggled to acclimate to the shelter environment. For a dog who is accustomed to being close to his people, the unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, and routines of a busy shelter can be overwhelming. Remy is a sensitive little guy, and we recognize that the behaviors someone might see in a shelter setting aren't always an accurate reflection of who a dog is when they're comfortable in a home. We're hopeful that with patience, understanding, and a little time, Remy will begin to feel more secure. More than anything, we'd love to see him back in a home where he can settle into a predictable routine and enjoy the companionship he craves. One thing you should know about Remy is that he absolutely LOVES his people. He's the kind of dog who will follow you from room to room, sit right on your feet, and happily curl up beside you whenever he gets the chance. He's especially fond of snuggling with women, and at bedtime, there's nowhere he'd rather be than tucked into bed with his favorite person. He's a loyal little shadow who genuinely enjoys being part of everything you're doing. Remy has lived successfully with a Pit Bull and two different cats, so he does have experience sharing his home with other animals. His family feels that having another compatible dog or cat around might be beneficial for him, particularly because he struggles with being alone. Of course, another animal isn't a guaranteed solution for separation anxiety, but a well matched companion could be a wonderful addition to his life. Remy has also lived with a six year old child and enjoys playing with her. He's a gentle boy, but because he can be sensitive to rough handling, he may be most comfortable with children who understand how to interact respectfully with dogs. He loves to play, especially a good game of tug, and would be thrilled to have a family that enjoys keeping him entertained. And when we say Remy is active, we mean ACTIVE! This little guy has plenty of energy to burn and would absolutely love a home where he can run, explore, play, and enjoy plenty of physical activity. He's fascinated by squirrels and rabbits, and his Terrier instincts definitely kick in when he spots something small and speedy. Because of his strong desire to chase, a securely fenced yard or other safely enclosed area would be wonderful for him. Remy would thrive with someone who enjoys an active lifestyle and understands that mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise for a clever, energetic Terrier. Remy knows how to sit and is very motivated by food, which can be a fantastic tool for continuing his training. He's also a bit of an opportunist when it comes to snacks, so you'll want to keep tempting food safely out of reach! His family reports that he isn't particularly picky and has recently been eating a variety of foods due to financial circumstances. His future family should plan to transition him to a nutritionally complete dog food that meets his needs. One of Remy's biggest challenges is being left home alone. He experiences separation related distress, which can result in excessive barking and occasional urination or defecation when his people are away. His family reports that he does not have accidents when someone is home, suggesting that these behaviors are connected to the stress of being alone rather than a lack of understanding about potty training. Crating has helped reduce some of his barking, although he has still had urinary accidents while confined. Remy will need a patient, understanding adopter who is willing to work on helping him feel safe and secure during periods of separation. A home where someone is around more frequently, along with a gradual, positive approach to alone time training, would be especially beneficial. His family has also reported that Remy has responded well to hemp based calming treats, although any anxiety supplements or medications should be discussed with a veterinarian. He can be uncomfortable with nail trims, so gentle handling, patience, and positive reinforcement will be important for his grooming routine. One of Remy's favorite activities is going for car rides! Whether you're heading out for an adventure or simply running an errand, he'd be more than happy to claim his spot and come along. He truly loves being included in his people's lives. We want Remy's future family to understand that his separation anxiety isn't him being naughty, spiteful, or intentionally difficult. He's a sensitive, deeply attached little dog who has experienced significant changes in his life, and being separated from the people he loves can be genuinely stressful for him. He needs someone who can offer consistency, patience, structure, and the reassurance that he is safe. Remy isn't necessarily going to be the right fit for someone looking for a quiet, independent couch potato. He's energetic, enthusiastic, affectionate, and sometimes a little overwhelming in the most Terrier way possible. But for someone who appreciates a dog with a big personality, enjoys staying active, and wants a devoted companion who will happily follow them everywhere, Remy has so much to offer. Remy has already experienced the heartbreak of losing someone he loved, and adjusting to shelter life has been another difficult transition. Now, he deserves a future filled with stability, understanding, adventure, and unconditional love. Could you be the person who gives this spirited little guy the forever home he's been waiting for?