Midwest Animal Rescue & Services

What Midwest Animal Rescue & Services does

Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 that operates a 100% foster-based animal rescue and a community veterinary clinic, both headquartered in Brooklyn Park. The organization places dogs and cats into foster homes rather than shelter kennels, running adoptions through online applications on the ShelterLuv platform, meet-and-greets at its Adoption Center (4084 83rd Ave N), and recurring adoption events at PetSmart and community venues. MARS reports a 98% adoption success rate and has placed 21,000+ animals since inception, with 500 adoptions completed in FY24-25.

The business is structured as an integrated service platform across two core revenue engines. The rescue program generates variable, one-time adoption fees and is supported by individual donations, employer matching, planned/legacy gifts, in-kind supply donations (via Chewy and Amazon wishlists), and event fundraising — including a FY25-26 "Operation: Year 20 & Beyond" campaign with a $200,000 goal. The MARS Veterinary Services clinic at 4112 83rd Ave N provides affordable exams ($65), spay/neuter, dental, and exotic pet care to community pet owners, with published unit pricing and online pharmacy fulfillment through VetSource. A small in-home dog training program ($125-$500 packages) and surrender-prevention services round out the offering.

MARS goes to market through a community-led motion anchored by a 14-person staff, a capped program of 250 active volunteers, and 54 local business partners that hosted 48 events in FY24-25. Technology infrastructure is operational SaaS — ShelterLuv (adoption/foster), Bloomerang (volunteers), VetSource (pharmacy), Givebutter (fundraising) — with no disclosed AI or proprietary platform. The organization is regionally constrained to Minnesota, holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating, and has no parent company, venture backing, or M&A history.

Name

Midwest Animal Rescue & Services

Legal name

Midwest Animal Rescue & Services

Website

https://midwestanimalrescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 100% foster-based dog and cat rescue alongside an affordable community veterinary clinic in Brooklyn Park, serving individual adopters, foster families, donors, and pet owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue and Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Nonprofit veterinary clinic
• Pet adoption programs
• Foster care services
• Animal welfare nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters including one-time gifts, monthly giving, tribute gifts (in memory/honor of pets or people), and legacy/non-cash gifts (donor-advised funds, stock, estate plans, IRA qualified charitable distributions).
2. Adoption Fees: Fees vary based on pet age, species, medical needs, and care level while in rescue. Helps offset medical care, foster support, and daily rescue operations.
3. Veterinary Services: Affordable veterinary care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets including exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter, dental care, and medical treatment. Nonprofit pricing model.
4. Supply Donations: In-kind donations of pet food, supplies, and materials through Chewy and Amazon wishlists to support foster homes and adoption center operations.
5. Employer Matching & Workplace Giving: Corporate workplace giving programs including matching gifts, payroll deduction, volunteer grants, and Dollars for Doers programs.
6. Event Fundraising: Community events including adoption events, fundraisers, restaurant fundraisers, and puppy cuddle sessions that raise funds and awareness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MARS rescues dogs and cats in Minnesota and places them in volunteer foster homes until permanent adoption, operating a 100% foster-based model with no shelter kennels and a 98% adoption success rate. The organization complements rescue operations with an affordable, nonprofit veterinary clinic (MARS Veterinary Services) providing exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter, dental, diagnostics, microchipping, and exotic pet care. Supporting paid services include in-home dog obedience training and a pet surrender/rehoming program for community members.

Product overview

Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) is a foster-based animal rescue organization and nonprofit veterinary clinic serving Minnesota. The organization operates as a platform of integrated services centered on animal rescue and veterinary care. Core offerings include the Animal Adoption & Rescue Program (100% foster-based with no shelter kennels, 98% adoption success rate) and MARS Veterinary Services (nonprofit clinic providing affordable care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets). Supporting modules include Foster Care (multiple foster types), Dog Training & Coaching (in-home and seasonal group classes), Foster-to-Adopt Program, Pet Surrender Support, Volunteer Program, Donation & Fundraising Programs (including Operation: Year 20 & Beyond campaign), and Community Resources. All services operate from Brooklyn Park, MN with the goal of supporting both pets and people throughout the rescue and adoption journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Adoption & Rescue Program Foster-based adoption program that rescues dogs and cats, places them with volunteer foster families, and matches them to permanent adoptive homes through online applications, meet-and-greets, and post-adoption support. Reported 98% adoption success rate and 21,000+ animals placed since founding in 2006.
• Foster Care Program Program recruiting and supporting community foster families who provide temporary homes for rescue pets until adoption. Multiple foster types available: short-term, vacation, full-time, specialty (medical/behavioral/hospice/whelping), and foster-to-adopt. Foster families receive supply support, veterinary coordination, and 24/7 emergency assistance.
• MARS Veterinary Services Nonprofit veterinary clinic in Brooklyn Park, MN offering affordable preventative care, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, dental care, medical treatment, chronic condition management, diagnostics, and microchipping for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Transparent pricing model designed to expand access to veterinary care in the community (e.g., basic exam $65, feline spay $250, canine spay starting at $425, dental cleanings starting at $475 cats/$650 dogs).
• Dog Training & Coaching In-home dog obedience training offering personalized, hands-on support in the client's environment, with one-on-one coaching, weekly 45-minute sessions over four weeks, and customized training plans. Limited seasonal group classes also available for foundational obedience. Pricing: $125 single session, $350 MARS Adopted Dog Package (4 sessions), $500 Community Dog Package (4 sessions); $50 consultation fee applied toward final cost.
• Pet Surrender Support Program assisting families who need to rehome their pets, including surrender application processing, placement assessment, and return processing for MARS-adopted pets. Availability for non-MARS animals depends on foster home capacity.
• Foster-to-Adopt Program Flexible adoption pathway allowing prospective adopters to foster a pet temporarily (typically 3-7 days) before finalizing adoption, with placement team guidance to ensure good matches.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% adoption success rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rescue Organizations in Resource-Limited AreascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARS partners with rescue organizations in areas with very limited resources to extend the reach and impact of animal rescue efforts. These rescue-to-rescue transfers help animals access better outcomes through MARS' foster-based model and community veterinary services.
• Local Business PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner54 local business partners participate in events, fundraisers, and community support programs. Partnerships include adoption events, restaurant fundraisers, corporate events, and community outreach initiatives.
• Simply RideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSimply Ride partnered with MARS for the Barks & Bikes fundraiser event that raised $744 to support rescue pets through vaccines, microchips, sterilization, and other care.
• PetSmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegular adoption events held at PetSmart locations featuring adoptable dogs and cats. Events connect adoptable pets with potential families in a retail setting.
• SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSubaru Loves Pets adoption event partnership supporting rescue pet adoptions through corporate-sponsored adoption events.
• ChewycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChewy wishlist enables supporters to purchase and ship animal care supplies directly to MARS. Best for animal care supplies like food, treats, litter, puppy pads, and pet essentials.
• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon wishlist enables supporters to purchase and ship supplies directly to MARS. Best for admin, event, cleaning, intake, and rescue operations supplies.
• Shop ProudlyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShop Proudly marketplace platform for MARS march and apparel, allowing supporters to purchase merchandise that supports rescue operations.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARS refers injured wildlife cases to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (wrcmn.org), a licensed wildlife rehabilitator specializing in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Charities: PetSmart's philanthropic arm funding adoptions, spay/neuter, and disaster relief through a national grant network. MARS already partners with PetSmart on adoption events, making it a funder and channel partner.
• Greater Good Charities: National nonprofit running rescue, food bank, and veterinary programs across the U.S. Operates the same animal welfare space with broader programming and a larger donor base.
• ASPCA: The oldest U.S. animal welfare organization; runs adoption, veterinary, and anti-cruelty programs nationally. Operates the same nonprofit animal welfare mission but at a vastly larger scale than MARS.
• Humane Society of the United States: National advocacy and animal welfare nonprofit running shelter support, rescue, and policy programs. Comparable mission category with broader geographic and political scope than MARS.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare nonprofit operating sanctuaries, adoption programs, and lifesaving initiatives nationwide. Larger, more established, and broader scope than MARS but operates the same rescue-and-rehome model.

Direct peers

• PAWS Chicago: Large no-kill animal shelter and low-cost veterinary clinic in Chicago. Closely comparable to MARS in operating model — adoption, vet care, training, community education — but at significantly larger scale.
• Second Chance Animal Rescue: Regional foster-based rescue organization providing adoption, vet care, and training services. Comparable mission and foster-network operating model to MARS.
• Animal Humane Society: Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization offering adoption, veterinary services, and surrender programs. Most direct comparable to MARS given overlapping Twin Cities footprint and integrated service model.
• Lucky Dog Animal Rescue: Washington D.C.-area foster-based dog rescue placing thousands of animals per year. Highly comparable to MARS on operating model (foster-based, no-kill, community-driven) but focused exclusively on dogs.

Others

• Banfield Pet Hospital: Largest veterinary chain in the U.S., operating inside PetSmart locations with a low-cost wellness plan model. Competes with MARS Veterinary Services on affordable vet care for community pet owners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mwanimalrescue
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MidwestAnimalRescueServices
• Facebookfacebook.com/MidwestAnimalRescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/midwest-animal-rescue-&-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/midwestanimalrescue

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Midwest Animal Rescue & Services