We are a group of volunteers who lend their homes, hearts, talents, and time to animals in need since 2003.

Foster homes are the heart of our rescue work. When adoptable dogs and cats live with foster families, they get the stability and attention they deserve. In a home environment, pets can relax, learn routines, and show their real personalities—making it easier for adopters to learn who they truly are. Together, we strive to give every animal the best possible start on their journey to a forever home.

Meet Our Pets at Adoption Events

We host adoption events every weekend around the Rochester area—your chance to meet our wonderful dogs and cats in person! These events give potential adopters the opportunity to meet the animals in our program, the chance to have questions answered, and to gain insight about each animal’s personality and story.

You can also catch a glimpse of some of our adoptable cats who reside at the Rochester Pet & Country Store, the two Rochester PetSmart and PetCo locations while they await their next adventure. Please note that we do not generally have volunteers on hand for meet and greets during the weekday hours. Scroll our website for available animals, visit us at a weekend event, and discover the perfect match for your home.

Pull up a chair

Multiple cats and several empty animal traps outdoors near a wooded area and a metal building.

Trap-Neuter-Return

Additionally, Camp Companion steps outside the traditional approach to humane societies and centers our program around adoptions and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).

The TNR program targets farm, feral and stray cats—the very cats and kittens that filter into our shelters and are often overlooked by traditional humane societies and animal control facilities.

Two kittens in a cage sitting on grass.
Two kittens in a cage sitting on grass.
Illustration of a badge with a shield shape, featuring the word 'VOLUNTEER' in large white letters on a red banner over a white circular background, set against a light green shield-shaped backdrop.
Triangular yellow sign with a red heart and paw print inside it, and the word 'FOSTER' underneath.

Our group is made up of humans who have full time jobs and are retired, who chase after young families or care for furry family members, who have zero free time and those who have all the time in the world. (wait, who has that and what is your secret?!)

We are always looking for more foster homes and volunteers. If that interests you, please reach out!

Cartoon illustration of a blue delivery truck driven by a dog and cat, with a flag displaying a paw print attached to the truck.

Ways to support our mission

  • Foster

    You provide the home and love while our cats and dogs await their forever home.

    Two cats, one black with green eyes and one white with tabby markings, resting together in a cozy cat bed near a window.

  • CC Ambassador

    Whether you are looking to help fundraise or donate, know a sponsor, or want to educate local residents and communities on the important work we do (such as TNR!) we welcome you with open arms!

    A dog with white fur and brown patches, wearing a blue bandana with the text "Adopt Me" and a pink patterned harness, sitting indoors.

  • Housekeeping

    We house adoptable cats in our program in foster homes and at Rochester area pet stores like PetSmart North and South. Volunteers help clean cages and laundry, care for store cats, and keep tabs on well-being.

    Three kittens, two orange and one black, inside a pet store near a pink and purple scratching pad.

  • Volunteer

    Help staff events, perform adoptions, fulfill behind the scenes tasks such as reviewing applications, answering questions, and data entry. There are so many ways to help, click below to fill out a Volunteer Application!

    A red tent with the words "Camp Companion Animal Rescue" and under the tent there are coolers, toys, and items for sale, with a young girl smiling behind the table. The tent is set up outdoors on a grassy area.
Click here for the Volunteer application
Click here to learn more about volunteering with our crew

Camp Companion was founded in 2003 and is a 501c3 organization with the State of Minnesota.

All donations are tax deductible.

EIN 32-0165702

Mission: To prevent future generations of homeless animals. 

Approach:  Camp Companion takes a different approach to animal welfare, focusing on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs that reduce cat overpopulation at its source.

Our proactive spay/neuter efforts target farm, feral, and stray cats—the animals most likely to enter shelters and often the least served by traditional humane societies and animal control agencies.

2025 Efforts

  • 1,681 Adoptions

  • 2,405 Spay/Neuter

  • 2,739 Intake

A dashboard showing data related to animal shelter outcomes for 2026, including categories such as gross intakes, community intakes, live outcomes, non-live outcomes, and gross outcomes, with graphs displaying trends over months and details about intakes and outcomes.
A dashboard showing data related to animal shelter outcomes for 2026, including categories such as gross intakes, community intakes, live outcomes, non-live outcomes, and gross outcomes, with graphs displaying trends over months and details about intakes and outcomes.