Dogs for Adoption in Dakota County, MN: 7 Dogs Looking for a Home
7 dogs and puppies are waiting for homes at 1 rescue or shelter in Dakota County. Here are all 7, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Of the dogs up for adoption in Dakota County, 1 puppy, 1 young dog, 3 adults and 2 seniors. The breeds you'll see most are Boxer, along with plenty of one-of-a-kind mixes.
Not in Dakota County? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Jenny
Jenny just arrived at the vet clinic this afternoon to get alllll of her needed vetting then she will be heading to her Wisconsin foster home after a little time to recover after her spay surgery that is scheduled for next week. Jenny is VERY sweet, good with other dogs and also tested well with cats.UPDATE 9/9...Jenny was spayed yesterday and did great! 11/2 UPDATE FROM JENNY'S FOSTER FAMILY: Jenny is a petite little girl who loves life. She walks great on leash, likes to chew on bones, loves to snuggle and loves everyone she meets. She has all the puppy energy but is very happy to just lay around wrapped in a blanket or on a soft bed.
Read more about Jenny
She loves to give kisses. Jenny has some kennel anxiety, but it has gotten better with routine. She goes all night in her kennel without issue, however, lets you know when it is time to wake up. There is not a squirrel that she won’t try chasing! She is ready for her forever family to give her more guidance and all the love.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
2. Thumper SENIOR
Sweet Thumper's mom made the very difficult decision to surrender her to rescue as taking care of her has become difficult for her. Thumper will be going to the vet in Indy on 8/14 to get all caught up on her routine vetting then we will work on transport to her Minnesota foster home. Thumper is good with kids ages 2+ and loves all people. She has not been around other dogs and she is not good with cats. She is housebroken. Thumper doesn't have much interest in toys and she is afraid of loud noises. Please check back soon for more pictures and information on this beautiful fawn girl.8/29 UPDATE...Thumper arrived at her Minnesota foster home and she is getting settled in and learning all about her new place.
Read more about Thumper SENIOR
She did very well on transport. She is eating well and getting around the house great and also is comfortable enough to just go into her crate and hang out when she wants to. We will be getting her to the vet for her eye recheck soon.9/21 UPDATE..Thumper saw the vet last week and she is doing well. She added an additional eye medication to see if that will help her eyes look and feel better. She has made herself right at home with her foster mom and dad! She loves to go for walks and play with toys!!!
- Good with kids
- No cats
- House-trained
- Special needs
3. Harper
This ADORABLE little girl arrived at her Ohio foster home not quite two weeks ago and she is doing very well there. Harper has a lot going on....her backend is a little wonky, she needs to get her mouth/teeth checked out, and she had some bumps removed that we are a little concerned about. She is the sweetest thing, is eating well and is definitely soaking up all of the love and attention in her foster home. Harper tested iffy with other dogs at the shelter and has not been around cats or kids. She is completely vetted, including spayed and microchipped.
- House-trained
4. Lovebug aka Junebug
Watch Lovebug aka Junebug's videos (2)
This little girl's family moved and instead of taking her with them, she was surrendered to a local vet clinic. We were contacted to help her and how could we say no?!? Lovebug is approximately 10 weeks old and has had her first round of puppy vetting. She arrived at her foster home on 6/28 and she very quickly won everyone's hearts. She is super smart, not afraid of anything and full of puppy energy! She does great in the crate overnight and loves to spend her day playing with everyone and everything....she LOVES toys. We are working on getting her in for her second round of puppy vetting then she will be ready to find her furver home.
Read more about Lovebug aka Junebug
UPDATE 8/19...Lovebug aka Junebug received her third round of puppy vetting and was a big hit at the vet clinic...she was such a good girl!! She is now up to 22.4 lbs. Our girl is crate trained, housebroken (woohoo!!), can sit, stay, and walks well with her harness. She will play fetch and loves to chew on bones!Lovebug's adoption contract will include a spay contract. The rescue covers the cost
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
5. Alfa SENIOR
This beautiful girl was surrendered to an Indiana shelter when her family brought a new dog into the home that she just did not want to share her space with. She did not do well at the shelter at all and was completely shutdown and lost 10 pounds while in there. We are so thankful to our shelter contact and to everyone who stepped up to get this precious girl to us. Alfa is the SWEETEST and is very generous with her kisses for all. She arrived at her Minnesota foster home a few days ago and she is doing well with figuring out her new place. Alfa tested well with other dogs at the shelter, however, prefers to be the only dog in the home.
Read more about Alfa SENIOR
She is good with kids and good with cats. Alfa is housebroken. 7/20 UPDATE...Alfa is just the happiest girl ever. She loves toys and is great with kids. Her perfect home would have a fenced in yard or area for her to explore and trot around in. Our girl prefers to be the only dog in the home.7/27 UPDATE Alfa's foster mom & dad needed some help with her while they are out of town so her Boxersitter sent this............."Alfa is wonderful!!! Honestly if I was looking to adopt a dog, I would want it to be her. Unfortunately that's not in my near future but I'm having a great time watching her. She settled in just fine, like she's lived here forever. She really is great. She's active. Loves to run around the backyard. Eats good, sleeps good, loves to cuddle, potty trained. I hope she finds the perfect home because she deserves it! She loves kids too. No issues with loud noises or food/toy guarding. She doesn't care for being crated and has been left to free roam in the house for 4.5 hours (so far) with no issues. Alfa is wonderful with kids. She LOVES running around outside in our fenced-in area. She is a playful, bouncy, happy girl!"
- Good with kids
- Only dog
- Good with cats
- House-trained
- Special needs
6. Sandy
Sandy & Danny were picked up as strays in Boone County, IN. They are WONDERFUL dogs....both very sweet, get along with everyone and everything, and are now fully vetted. They love nothing more that to be lap dogs, although Danny is a little big for that but shhhhhhhh! Don't tell him! This beautiful pair are in a temporary foster home and are looking for a foster (until adopted home), a forever foster home, or a forever home.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
7. Danny
Danny & Sandy were picked up as strays in Boone County, IN. They are WONDERFUL dogs....both very sweet, get along with everyone and everything, and are now fully vetted. They love nothing more that to be lap dogs, although Danny is a little big for that but shhhhhhhh! Don't tell him! This beautiful pair are in a temporary foster home and are looking for a foster (until adopted home), a forever foster home, or a forever home.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
Rescues and shelters near Dakota County
The rescues with the most dogs listed in Dakota County.
- Across America Boxer RescueBurnsville, MN · 7 dogs
How to adopt from Across America Boxer Rescue
Adoption application, 3 personal reference checks, vet reference check, home visit, adoption contract, spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, medical care, hw preventive, hw treatment, and any other medical needs.
Cities and towns in Dakota County
- Lakeville 128
- Eagan 174
- Burnsville 174
- Apple Valley 174
- Inver Grove Heights 174
- Rosemount 128
- Farmington 95
- Hastings 34
- West St. Paul 174
- South St. Paul 174
- Mendota Heights 174
- Empire 103
- Hampton 34
- Sunfish Lake 174
- Randolph 178
- Vermillion 34
- Mendota 174
- Coates 103
- New Trier 192
Adopting a dog in Dakota County
Most rescues ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. Many are foster-based, so you'll often meet your dog in a volunteer's home rather than a shelter.
Senior dogs are often the calmest companions and the slowest to find homes. If you'd like a settled, affectionate dog, ask the rescues about their older residents.
Puppies go quickly, so if you've fallen for one, contact the rescue soon. Ask how big they're expected to grow, and plan for plenty of house-training and training in the first few months.
Questions about adopting a dog in Dakota County
How many dogs are up for adoption in Dakota County?
As of November 4, 2026, 7 dogs and puppies are listed for adoption in Dakota County, Minnesota, by 1 rescue or shelter. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a dog in Dakota County?
The rescues with the most dogs near Dakota County right now are Across America Boxer Rescue (Burnsville, MN). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
Are there puppies for adoption in Dakota County?
Yes. 1 puppy is up for adoption in Dakota County.
How do I adopt a dog in Dakota County?
Pick a dog and contact the rescue or shelter looking after them. Most ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.