Today we’d like to introduce you to Azure Davis.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Animals hold a special place in my heart, and I’ve dedicated my life to positively impacting their lives. Growing up in the beautiful rural countryside of Central Minnesota, I developed a deep connection with nature and all its creatures. My childhood was spent exploring the woods, building forts, and forging bonds with the animals around me. Our home seemed to attract animals in need, whether they were injured wildlife or abandoned pets. Naturally, my family and I became involved in animal rehabilitation and rescue. Still, we soon realized a significant gap in resources and support for these animals once they were nursed back to health. I started helping community members find their lost pets at a young age or connect them with suitable homes. Through networking and marketing efforts, I discovered a genuine passion for bringing people and animals together. It became clear that this was my calling, a mission I couldn’t ignore. Whether I found success in the corporate world or through an invention, I knew I would always be dedicated to saving animals because it was an intrinsic part of who I am. To this day, I firmly believe that animals find me rather than vice versa. In 2010, just before completing my bachelor’s degree in business management, specializing in marketing, I took a significant step toward realizing my dream. I founded a foster-based animal rescue organization called Ruff Start Rescue, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Ruff Start Rescue was born out of the growing need for resources and support in the animal rescue community. Leveraging the power of social media and my networking skills, I united animal lovers from all corners of the United States to join forces and save lives. Ruff Start Rescue focuses on rescuing dogs, cats, and other small companion animals, which we affectionately call “critters.” These animals come from various situations, such as strays, high-kill shelters, local impounds, owner surrenders, and even natural disasters. We place them in caring foster homes throughout central Minnesota until they find their adoptive families. During their time in foster care, we cover all necessary veterinary care, including spaying, neutering, vaccinations, heartworm testing, parasite prevention, microchipping, and more. Additionally, we provide our fosters with all the supplies they need to ensure the animals’ well-being. Our organization comprises dedicated volunteers, fosters, staff, adopters, and generous donors.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Let me take you on a journey back when I was 23. I had a well-paying job in the supply chain department of a large medical corporation. It provided stability, great benefits, and a sense of security. On top of that, I was in the final stages of completing my bachelor’s degree in business management. Life seemed sorted out, but something more tugged at my heart. Amidst the hustle and bustle of work and studies, I had also been nurturing a deep passion for animal welfare. With that passion, I founded a nonprofit animal rescue organization called Ruff Start Rescue. Every day, I would pour my heart and soul into this endeavor, saving and caring for needy animals. But as time passed, Ruff Start Rescue increased, and I faced a tough decision. Something had to give. During one of our monthly board meetings, held at our beloved Applebee’s (our meeting spot back then), we came up with an idea: I could become the first part-time employee of Ruff Start Rescue. The board and I pondered the possibilities, realizing that although we needed a budget or a concrete business plan, the need for our services was intensifying. Many people around me doubted the viability of getting paid to save animals or building a career in the nonprofit industry. They warned me about the risks and challenges that lay ahead. The reality was that accepting this opportunity meant giving up my excellent benefits, enduring a significant pay cut, and extending my stay in my parent’s basement to pay off my student loans. But deep down, I knew this was my true calling, and sometimes you must take risks to pursue your passion. With a heart full of conviction, I eagerly accepted the part-time job at Ruff Start Rescue, bidding farewell to my corporate life the next day. I never looked back. Fast forward 14 years and Ruff Start Rescue is surviving and thriving. Today, I am proud to be part of a team of 36 incredible staff members who have also chosen to follow their passion and make a living doing what they love. Since its humble beginnings in 2010, Ruff Start Rescue has saved the lives of more than 24,000 animals. We’ve given these animals a second chance at a fulfilling life. The impact we’ve made on these animals and the joy we’ve brought to countless families is immeasurable. Taking that risk, leaving behind the security of my previous job, and pursuing my passion for animal rescue has been my best decision ever. It has transformed my life and the lives of countless animals. When you have a true passion and the courage to chase it, you can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable things.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
The primary objective of Ruff Start Rescue is to facilitate connections between people and pets through dog, cat, and critter adoptions. We envision a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving home while their families possess the knowledge and resources to give them the lives they deserve. In addition to our adoption efforts, we also extend a helping hand to pet owners facing challenges. Through owner surrender assistance, we offer wellness clinics with discounted veterinary services and donate pet food to local food shelves. Our goal is to keep pets with their owners. Since 2017, Ruff Start Rescue has shared over 64,000 pounds of surplus pet products with community members in need, further supporting our mission. Education is another crucial aspect of our work. We prioritize spreading awareness through presentations, workshops, and programs suitable for individuals of all ages. Since 2014, our educational initiatives have reached over 9,100 adults and children, empowering them with knowledge and compassion towards animals.
- What I’m most proud of is the impact and growth we’ve seen in the last 14 years! When starting Ruff Start Rescue, many people told me that I wouldn’t be able to build a career in animal welfare or have paid staff members. Here we are today with 36 outstanding staff members, all dedicated to the mission and values of Ruff Start Rescue. We’ve changed the lives of countless animals and community members. The love and support we receive from our incredible network of volunteers, fosters, staff, adopters, and donors inspires us to continue striving for excellence.
- What sets Ruff Start Rescue apart is how we work to be an example for other nonprofits. Our team is always looking ahead for trends in the world to understand what lies ahead in animal welfare and what else we can do to save more animals. Our staff and Board of Directors attend conferences for professional development and networking events to engage the community, and we keep up with our nonprofit best practices and seals. Ruff Start focuses on impacting the younger generation through our education program. We think that to change the future of animal welfare, we can’t just fix the “now” issues; we want to encourage our youth to be involved with the organization so they can continue the love and passion we share for animals.
What do you think about happiness?
I love empowering people! I very much run Ruff Start Rescue by the quote, “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” When I was growing up, there weren’t many local resources available to help animals, so I want to provide our community with the ability to make a difference. Of course, saving animals makes me happy, but sharing knowledge and bringing people together for a bigger purpose in animal welfare is fantastic! When I’m not working, I love being outside in nature, enjoying wildlife- something about being outdoors is grounding and peaceful. I enjoy gardening, hanging out with my dogs, hiking, camping, and spending time with my human friends and family.
Pricing:
- Saving one animal costs Ruff Start Rescue about $350. The vetting expenses could total anywhere from $200 to 5000 when bringing in 3,296 animals in a year; that quickly adds up. We do have adoption fees, which range from $200-600. Ruff Start does our best to keep adoption fees to a minimum, but they cover a portion of our vetting services. Because of this, we rely heavily on our donors and sponsorships to continue our lifesaving work. You can view our Adoption page here: https://ruffstartrescue.org/adopt/.
- We sell merchandise that can be found online or at our office in Princeton. https://ruff-start-rescue-mn.square.site/
- Like many nonprofits, Ruff Start Rescue constantly needs donations and animal sponsorships. If you want to give to our organization, please look at our website differently: https://ruffstartrescue.org/donate/.
- If you’re considering our services or supporting our cause, we are deeply committed to making a difference. We are here to connect you with a loving pet, provide resources for pet owners in need, share information, and empower individuals to become animal advocates. Together, we can create a world where animals receive the love and care they deserve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ruffstartrescue.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruffstartrescuemn/
- Facebook: facebook.com/ruffstart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruff-start-rescue/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruffstartrescue
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuffStartRescue
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ruff-start-rescue-princeton
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ruffstartrescue
