Time Is Running Out: Help Us Rescue Our Dogs

Help Us Bring Our Rescued Dogs Home — Before It’s Too Late

On June 18, Minneapolis Animal Control seized our four beloved dogs while I was away from home. My 16-year-old daughter, home alone at the time, was pressured into surrendering the pets she’s helped raise—dogs we rescued, rehabilitated, and love deeply. When she asked to say goodbye, one of the officers reportedly laughed. Since then, we’ve been fighting nonstop to get them back.

We’ve been told we have just five days after the quarantine ends on June 27 to pay the required fees—otherwise, our dogs may be euthanized by July 2.

I’m a full-time caregiver, student, and mom. We’ve put everything we have into giving these animals a second chance at life. But now, we’re facing something we can’t overcome alone. Every donation helps us bring our dogs back home, where they belong.

Please consider donating or sharing this story. Your support means the world to us—and to them.

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Our Full Story:

On Tuesday, June 18, around 11:15 a.m., Meals on Wheels came to deliver my grandfather’s lunch as they’ve done for years. We’re a dog-loving household with a fully fenced yard. This volunteer had been to our home before, as had many others. Some would ask to hand off the meal to us directly or leave it on the fence if they weren’t comfortable with dogs. We always made it work.

That morning, my daughter was in the front yard with our dogs when the volunteer arrived. She greeted him, and our dogs ran up to the gate, excited to say hello. Instead of calmly responding, the man began yelling, “Get back, dogs! I’m not dealing with you today!” before he even reached the gate. My daughter offered to take the food herself, but before she could, the volunteer opened the gate and kicked our dog Bill in the face. That action triggered a defensive bite to his leg.

From inside the house, I heard yelling. By the time I got to the front yard, the man was shouting, “That’s the last time that dog will do that ever again,” and threatening legal action. An hour later, a Meals on Wheels representative called—rude and aggressive from the start. I was told for the first time ever about a “dogs must be put away” policy and was warned Animal Control would be called. When I calmly explained that our dog had been kicked and was reacting out of fear, she hung up on me after a tense exchange.

The next day, Animal Control came while I was out. My daughter, 16 and alone, answered the door. A previous officer had told us earlier that they couldn’t speak to a minor without an adult present, yet they pressured her into surrendering all four dogs—including two tiny puppies—by threatening to take our cats as well. She was hysterical and heartbroken. When she asked to say goodbye, one officer reportedly laughed at her.

I pulled into the driveway minutes later to see our dogs already loaded into the truck. The officers handed me a $200 fine and said we could maybe get the dogs back—but only if we act quickly and qualify for a multipet permit. In Minneapolis, more than three dogs requires a special license, and our chances were dismissed on the spot.

These dogs—Bill, Delilah, Chibi, and Nova—are not aggressive animals. They were rescued from abandonment and neglect. I’ve spent months nursing them back to health, giving them home-cooked food, grooming, socializing, and showering them with love. They’re a bonded pack and a part of our family. I never planned on having four dogs, but sometimes life throws you into something you never expected—and you find you’re stronger for it.

I’ve called and emailed everyone I can. I’ve sent formal letters to the police department and Animal Control. Still, we’re getting nowhere—and time is running out.

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Update as of Saturday, June 21, 2025:

That day, I reached a MACC representative named Karla after contacting 311. She refused to answer my questions and told me I’d have to wait to hear from the officer in charge—if I hear anything at all. She made it clear that it’s entirely up to the officer to decide whether I’ll get the dogs back.

We need help—now. If we can’t come up with the required funds within five days of the quarantine ending (June 27), our dogs could be euthanized by July 2.

Please, if you’re able to donate or spread the word, it would mean the world to us. These dogs are not just pets—they’re survivors, companions, and loved ones. We just want them home.

100% of donations, minus a small processing fee, will go directly towards bringing our rescued dogs home. Funds will cover licensing and citation fees from the city, and hopefully, enough to hire a lawyer to protect pet owners from this happening again. Please help us bring our dogs home—before it’s too late.