🐾 our story
Where second chances lead to brand-new beginnings.
At Sota Saves, we are a heart-centered rescue dedicated to connecting animals in need with people who care. From our Animal Wellness Center in Hopkins, MN, we provide second chances for rescue pets, accessible veterinary care for local families, and a welcoming community where every animal is safe, valued, and loved.
To us, "Sota" is more than shorthand for Minnesota. It represents the spirit of our community. It stands for the foster parents bottle-feeding kittens, the volunteers transporting rescued pups, the veterinary teams providing critical care, and the adopters opening their doors to pets in need.
Minnesotans show up when an animal needs help. So are we going to keep saving lives together? YOU BETCHA.
The meaning of our name
While Sota Saves represents where we are headed, our story actually began in 1989 as Carver Scott Humane Society in Chaska. For 35 years, we built a strong foundation of compassionate community rescue. As the need for animal welfare services grew beyond county lines, we expanded our space, broadened our vision, and stepped into a new facility and name that match the full scope of our impact today,
Rooted in decades of care
What makes Sota Saves unique? We approach our rescue process from a place of yes.
Conversation-Based Adoptions: We replace barriers to adoption and lengthy applications with open conversations, focusing on matching the right pet to the right person.
Preventing Pet Surrenders: We offer accessible community wellness care to help families keep their pets, freeing up capacity to rescue animals from high-volume impounds across the region.
How we work
We are driven by our mission, vision, and values
Our mission
Connecting animals in need with people who care.
Our vision
A world where every animal is safe, cared for, and loved.
Our values
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Different perspectives, unique ways of thinking, and the firm belief in people being inherently good from our work, our relationships, and our impact on the community. An inclusive culture inspires us to try new things, speak openly, and be bold. It brings us together in ways that help us stand out. Our inclusive culture empowers all of us to connect, inspire, and grow the next generation of animal welfare.
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We approach our work with empathy and without judgment. We don’t make assumptions, even if based on past experiences, and we acknowledge that others’ views of the role of animals in our lives may differ from our own. Each animal and person we serve is an individual with a unique story and is deserving of our kindness. We are committed to working from a place of humility and compassion.
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We have strong ethical and moral principles, and we strive to follow them at all times, no matter who's watching. It is on this foundation that we build relationships and trust, not only with our customers and supporters but with each other. We take personal responsibility for our own performance and results, as well as those of the team. We treat all with respect. We are honest, accountable, and worthy of trust, confronting difficult issues.
Ready to get involed?
Doing lifesaving work, out in the open
At Sota Saves, we believe in being great stewards of your generosity. Every donation, grant, and gift goes right back into providing second chances for local rescue pets and supporting the folks who love them.
Explore our annual reports below to see the lives we’ve saved together over the years:
Board of Director meeting minutes and filed 990s are available upon request.
