Cheryl Adams of Monticello is the last hope for a puppy stuck in a pound.

Adams gives dogs a second chance by rescuing them from animal shelters and caring for them until they are adopted.

"Just look at those eyes," she said. "You can always say 'yes.'" Adams struggles with leaving any forlorn dogs behind because "there's really nobody else to save them."

Her rescue efforts began about nine years ago when a Detroit Lakes puppy mill shut down. That day she returned home to her hobby farm in Monticello with 39 dogs.

"A lot of those dogs had no place else to go," she said.

This incident inspired her to begin Minnesota Homeward Bound, a nonprofit dog rescue and placement organization.

On an average, 30 dogs live on her farm. Every Saturday, Adams holds an adoption day at Petco stores in Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Fridley and Eagan.

Adams has also organized a dozen temporary foster homes for additional dogs. Adams also takes in a few cats, but she has only found one family to volunteer to be a cat foster home.

Adams provides the dogs' food and medical treatments. The foster families are required to keep their foster dogs safe, provide attention and bring the dogs to the Petco pet adoption days.

Minnesota Homeward Bound is funded by the pet adoptions. The cost to adopt a pet covers the expenses of vaccinations and the cost to have the animals spayed or neutered. Prices for pets range from $35 for kittens to $350 for the especially sought after dogs.

"All of the money that comes in goes to the dogs," Adams said.

Once the animals are adopted, "most live happily ever after in their new homes," Adams said.

But Adams' dogs have a lifetime return policy. She vows to be responsible for the dogs she rescues for life. If a family moves and does not want to take their dog, she said, "We will always take our dogs back."

For more information about adopting one of Adams' dogs or to become a foster family, visit the Petco stores on the Minnesota Homeward Bound adoption days. Adams holds the adoption days on Saturday afternoons.

On the first Saturday of the month, the adoption event is at the Maple Grove Petco. On the second Saturday, it's at the Fridley location. Pet adoptions are held at the Eagan store on the third Saturday of the month and at the Eden Prairie Petco on fourth Saturdays.

The Eden Prairie store is at 8020 Glen Lane, off Single Tree Lane, between Prairie Center Drive and U.S. Highway 212.

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