Giving Dogs a Place to Succeed. To Be Loved. And To Call Home.
Companion Homestead Dog Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of shelter returns by providing support, socialization, and a permanent home for dogs who need it most.
Our Mission
To support shelter dogs to end the cycle of returns. At the core of our mission, we want to see shelter dogs find homes & be there for life. Through our programs and by providing an alternative to a traditional home, we strive to end the cycle of dogs being adopted & then being returned back to the shelter.
Companion Homestead Dog Sanctuary
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A home for dogs who need a place to belong.
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Companion Homestead Dog Sanctuary • A home for dogs who need a place to belong. •
The Sanctuary
A Home for Life
Unlike a traditional shelter or rescue, Companion Homestead is a sanctuary—a place of safety, stability, and care for dogs who cannot thrive in a typical home. The dogs who live here are not available for adoption. Instead, they will find a forever home within the sanctuary, where they will receive the love, structure, and support they need to live full, happy lives.
Right now, we are raising funds to build the sanctuary, with plans to welcome our first resident by 2027. With your help, we can provide an alternative for dogs who have nowhere else to go.
Why a Sanctuary?
Minnesota has only one dedicated dog sanctuary. That means for many dogs with behavioral or medical challenges, the only options are lifelong shelter stays or euthanasia. We believe every dog deserves better.
Companion Homestead exists to change that reality. By creating a safe, structured environment tailored to each dog’s needs, we are building the missing piece in the animal welfare system—a true home for dogs who have none.
This program gives shelter dogs a break from the shelter by bringing them to a local doggy daycare for an hour of supervised socialization. During this time, we gather valuable insights about:
✔️ How they interact with other dogs
✔️ How they respond to new people (including men, women, and children)
✔️ How they adjust to new environments
This program helps reduce returns by giving potential adopters a clearer picture of the dog’s behavior, setting them up for a successful, permanent home. Since launching in February 2024, we’ve worked with over 15 dogs—all of whom have been adopted and never returned.
Every dog deserves a chance to succeed. You can help give them that chance.
Supporting Dogs Today:
The Social Hour Program
While we work toward building the sanctuary, we are already making an impact through our Social Hour Program.
How You Can Help:
Donate Today
When you donate, you’re helping build Southeast Minnesota’s FIRST dog sanctuary—a place that will change the lives of countless dogs who have nowhere else to go.
For all other donation requests, please reach out to us at:
Companion Homestead and Companion Acres are separate organizations—but we share a common heart.
Companion Acres is a locally owned doggy daycare and boarding facility in Rochester, MN, and is the reason Companion Homestead exists today. Our co-founders, who are also involved in Companion Acres, first developed the idea of creating a sanctuary after seeing how many dogs struggle to find lasting homes.
While the two organizations are separate, they share the same core value: giving dogs the best life possible.
That’s why our logos share a familiar look—we took the same dog image from Companion Acres and placed him in a home. This symbolizes the mission of Companion Homestead: providing a permanent, safe space for dogs who need a lifelong home.
Who We Are:
Our Connection to Companion Acres
Join Us in Building a Future for These Dogs
Whether through a donation, spreading the word, or simply learning more about what makes a sanctuary different, you are part of this movement. Thank you for believing in a future where every dog has a place to belong.