A New Dog Sanctuary Is Coming Soon to Minnesota

Some stories just hit you right in the heart - the kind that make you want to cheer, cry, and hug your dog all at once. This is definitely one of those stories!

Because right now in Minnesota, something incredible is in the works for the dogs who’ve had it the hardest. The ones who’ve bounced from shelter to shelter, struggled with medical or behavioral challenges, or faced the heartbreaking reality of running out of options.

That’s where Companion Homestead comes in. It's a true sanctuary, not a shelter or rescue. The dogs who come here won’t be up for adoption. Instead, they’ll finally have what every dog deserves: stability, care, and a furever home of their own.

Here’s the wild part: Minnesota currently only has one dedicated dog sanctuary. Just one. Companion Homestead would be the second, filling a desperately needed gap and changing the future for so many pups.

Also See: Rochester Public Library Celebrates New Baby Play Space 

The sanctuary isn’t open yet, but the dream is already taking shape. The founders are actively fundraising and searching for the “pawfect” piece of land - ideally just outside Rochester, with plenty of acreage but still close to the city.

Their vision is to share the space with Companion Acres, a local doggy daycare and boarding facility. The two organizations were founded by the same team, who describe them as “sisters,” and hope to someday operate side by side on the same property.

The rendering they have worked up shows there are 12 spacious suites, each designed to house up to two dogs depending on compatibility. That means the sanctuary could welcome as many as 24 dogs right from the start, with the hope of expanding even more in the future.

Until then, Companion Homestead is busy building support through community events that you can join like Dogs Downtown, a Howl-o-Ween Trunk or Treat at Subaru of Rochester, and a holiday bake sale at Companion Acres. With enough help and support, they could welcome their very first resident by 2027.

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