Our Impact

HMAS Impact

The Human-Animal Bond

As an independent animal welfare organization, the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter does not receive funding from any national, state, county or municipal entity. We rely on generous heroes like you to support our ongoing mission of providing housing, care and adoption services for unwanted animals. Our emphasis on spaying and neutering o fall animals of appropriate age and our partnership with Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP) has reduced pet overpopulation. Whether abused, abandoned, surrendered, or stray, our goal is to find forever homes for dogs and cats. We know the effect we can have on an animal’s life. What is not always apparent is the ability of these companion animals to transform the lives of people. This human-animal bond is the mutually beneficial relationship that positively affects the health and well
-being of both. Saving an animal can save a person...

Teddy - Senior Care Ambassador

What do you see when you look at Teddy? A three-legged foxhound? An imperfect pooch with little chance of finding a forever home? After all, he had been in two other shelters before coming to HMAS. But when Jo and her daughter met him, they saw him as the new member of their family. Teddy became a treasured pet and a much-loved visitor to a local senior care center.

Charlie - Faithful Cat Companion

After 25 years without a cat, Patricia longed to have another Siamese. Her daughter, Sue, found Zing at HMAS using the PetFinder website. After Patricia met him, it was love at first sight. Zing became Charlie and was taken home and to heart. Charlie reserved daytimes for Patricia but evenings were spent with her husband watching sports. After her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Charlie became his constant companion and grieved along with the family when he passed away in 2012. Over the next few years, Patricia made several moves, first to assisted living, then to a rehabilitation facility following a
pelvic fracture, and finally to a memory care center. Charlie took the moves to assisted living and memory care with Patricia in stride, always the social, well-mannered, perfect cat. During Patricia’s time in rehab, Charlie became an integral part of her recovery, traveling with Sue to see her almost every day, bringing her happiness that no one else could. After Patricia passed away in 2015, her beloved Charlie made his home with Sue.

Because: Someone saved... Because: We saved...
Henry can save!

Ford (now Henry Ford) was brought to HMAS in September 2017 by a Good Samaritan after having a close encounter with, you guessed it, a truck. Received as a stray, he spent two months with us before being adopted by Peter Thomson, who began training him for Search & Rescue. Since then, Henry has become certified and is part of the Sawyer County Search & Rescue group. Peter describes Henry as a natural trailing dog and that they have participated in five searches.