Leech Lake Legacy

11/16/2024

This has got to be one of our most favorite photos, from back in our early days. "Dave" the dog was making a ruckus and needed some attention, which volunteer Aaron happily provided. Having bounced around between multiple locations and living out of plastic totes since 2011, Leech Lake Legacy set down permanent roots in 2020 when we purchased our building on Maple Ave.

Looking back to our beginnings in 2011, we've placed and transported over 23,400 animals, and provided over 4,000 low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and over 8,300 wellness visits. We've distributed tons of donated pet food and supplies.

These amazing numbers could only happen by working in partnership with the members of the communities we serve, our volunteers, and our partner shelters and rescues. The fuel that makes this all work are the donations made by our financial supporters. Those donations are key to keeping our vans running, the lights on, and covering all the other costs necessary to operate a small non-profit corporation.

Please consider Leech Lake Legacy when making your donation plans, whether during the Give to the Max period this month, or any time during the year!

https://givemn.org/organizations/leech-lake-legacy

11/13/2024

Many years ago, Arthur the puppy found his way from Kentucky to Minnesota and to one of our partners, Pennington County Humane Society (PCHS). PCHS adopted him out to what was to be his forever home. But at some point, the bond with his family was broken. Arthur found himself this past summer at a local impound. in terrible condition. Fortunately for Arthur, his microchip helped the local impound reunite Arthur with PCHS.

PCHS rushed Arthur to their vet, where he was found to be underweight and suffering from muscle loss, severe dental disease, Lyme disease, and a severely matted coat. Poor Arthur found himself in trouble and in pain, so PCHS immediately began the care and treatment Arthur needed. A good grooming, under sedation, immediately improved Arthur’s comfort while PCHS and their vet began the work to fix Arthur’s broken body.

Arthur had a long road of veterinary care to heal and recover in front of him, and that’s where the power of partnerships comes in. Leech Lake Legacy has been helping PCHS with placement and transport of some of their animals for some time, and they asked us to help find the right partner to continue Arthur’s care. It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that Crossroads Animal Shelter & Community Veterinary Clinic raised their hand to help. Crossroads has taken in 467 animals from us so far this year, and many, like Arthur, needed extensive veterinary care. Leech Lake Legacy made the connections, secured placement, and transported Arthur into the hands of Crossroads. We are so pleased to report that Arthur’s veterinary needs have been met and he can now be found safe and secure and loved in a forever home.

Program Director Jenny documents the details of every transport. Arthur found himself on our August 17 transport where Jenny wrote, “Today is a good day for him.” Indeed it was.

Second chances for dogs like Arthur can continue to happen with your support of Leech Lake Legacy on Give to the Max Day.

Your Give to the Max donation helps us continue our impactful work placing and transporting surrendered animals, providing lost-cost wellness and spay/neuter services, and maintaining and growing our live-saving partnerships!

https://givemn.org/organizations/Leech-Lake-Legacy

11/12/2024

Young kittens sometimes look like they were designed by Picasso. A little wonky in the face, but still cute as a button. This kitten is just one of over 23,400 animals we've placed and transported over the years. It's always preferred that kittens stay with mom until at least 8 weeks of age, but that's not always possible. We've placed nursing moms and litters, bottle babies, and kittens just learning about the delights of solid food. Sometimes we're called upon to provide veterinary care, but we're always called upon to provide love. Please support our work by volunteering with us, by volunteering to be a foster for one of our partner shelters or rescues, or by making a financial contribution.
https://givemn.org/organizations/Leech-Lake-Legacy

11/10/2024

Volunteers gather at our Cass Lake building one a month or so for clinics and surrender events. But you'll see volunteers come and go almost any time during the month, helping to arrange transports, delivering food and supplies, or cleaning crates and doing laundry. Despite the near-limitless generosity of our volunteers, it also takes cold hard cash to pay the mortgage, keep the utilities on, fill the van gas tanks, and purchase the supplies we need to deliver low-cost wellness and spay/neuter services. Your financial support of us is critical, and whether during the Give to the Max campaign each November or any other time during the year, it so deeply appreciated.
https://www.givemn.org/organization/Leech-Lake-Legacy

11/08/2024

Give to the Max Day is coming up on Thursday, November 21, and early giving has already begun. Leech Lake Legacy could not be successful without the support of our partner shelters and rescues, so for this year's Give to the Max campaign, we're celebrating some of the wonderful things we've been able to accomplish by working together for the animals.
https://www.givemn.org/organization/Leech-Lake-Legacy

Leech Lake Legacy has placed so far this year 69 cats and dogs with Pet Haven, Inc. of MN Those 69 cats and dogs of course received excellent veterinary care from Pet Haven and are in the process of finding forever homes (if they haven’t already). What you may not know is that Pet Haven has assisted Leech Lake Legacy by hosting spay/neuter clinics, sharing their donated pet food and supplies, and assisting with temporary animal housing. In fact, just this past weekend, Pet Haven not only took in a litter of six surrendered adorable collie mix puppies, they also temporarily housed 20 surrendered cats overnight before we could deliver them to the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine (another wonderful partner!), where veterinary students provided wellness and spay/neuter services. Upon discharge from the University of Minnesota, the 20 cats will be placed with partner shelters and rescues for adoption. Fully-vetted cats are so much easier for us to find placement, and we’re so thankful for these important partnerships.

Your Give to the Max donation helps us continue our impactful work placing and transporting surrendered animals, providing lost-cost wellness and spay/neuter services, and maintaining and growing our live-saving partnerships!

https://www.givemn.org/organization/Leech-Lake-Legacy

10/29/2024

We are extremely sad that longtime supporter of Leech Lake Legacy, Tom O'Sullivan, passed away last week. Tom and his wife, Nancy, were passionate about helping animals and the people who loved them. Tom will be deeply missed by those who loved him, including the countless critters he and Nancy helped save and care for. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom's family and friends, and the biggest hugs possible go out to Nancy. May his memory be a blessing.

View Thomas Gerald O'Sullivan's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/25/2024

**UPDATE** The dog food is all gone. We still have cat food.

The gang is mostly all here for our wellness weekend. Free table is up, and food is available while supplies last. 8am to 5pm Friday 25th and Saturday 26th!

10/13/2024

The lagers elves are almost ready for Lagers for Legacy 2024 to start!. We’re here until 5 PM. Delicious food and beer available for purchase from La Dona. Desserts will be here shortly from our favorite baker, Amy. 

10/09/2024

09/07/2024

Leech Lake Legacy is partnering with Animal Care Clinic of Bemidji’s Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Rachel for a free vaccine clinic on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at our facility at 417 Maple Ave. NE in Cass Lake!

This is a walk-in vaccine clinic. First come, first served. No pre-registration required.

Please keep your pets safe and secure by bringing cats in carriers and dogs on leashes.

Vaccines were generously donated by Petco Love;
free-will donations gladly accepted by Leech Lake Legacy.

Dogs of appropriate age, vaccine history, and health will be given
rabies and/or DAPPv vaccines.

Cats of appropriate age, vaccine history, and health will be given
rabies and/or HCP vaccines.

09/06/2024

Thank you to everyone to came our to support our BEERGO fundraiser at Luce Line Brewing last night. It was so much fun! If you couldn't make it but want make a contribution to support the programs of Leech Lake Legacy anyway, just hit the DONATE button on this post!

08/21/2024

Hey, friends in Northern MN! We'd love to see you in person at our upcoming Community Event in Bemidji! Join us from 4:30 - 7:30 on Thursday, August 22 at Bemidji Brewing to meet volunteers, learn about volunteering opportunities, make a donation, and to have a nice beverage and snacks! We'll have items for sale as well. We hope to see you there! Bemidji Brewing, 211 America Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601.

07/23/2024

Leech Lake Legacy logowear is available for purchase! There are many styles and colors are available to choose from, and a portion of each purchase benefits Leech Lake Legacy! Wear with pride and spread the word! https://www.bonfire.com/store/leech-lake-legacy/?mc_cid=b96589b3ed&mc_eid=69cbe7e1da

07/09/2024

Spay/neuter option. Take advantage if you can! This is not a Leech Lake Legacy event. 

Spay and neuter clinic only!

This is a first come, first serve event.

This event will start at 8am on both days of July 27th and July 28th.

07/07/2024

Today's transport of 48 animals wasn't large enough to be recordbreaking. In many ways it was very ordinary in that Jenny found placement and transported them to where they needed to go. But it also was a very special transport in that the last of the cats and kittens that had been exposed to panleukopenia at our June clinic had finally cleared their quarantine period and moved on to our partner shetlers and rescues. Our thanks to The Babinski Foundation, Feline Rescue, Inc., Carver Scott Humane Society, and Crossroads Animal Shelter & Community Veterinary Clinic for taking these babies in!

Just like Rose Nyland from The Golden Girls isn't one to blow her own "verturgen-furgen," Jenny and our volunteers Phlip, Nancy, and Julie aren't one to blow their own horns either. But they all provided the care and love these felines needed (not to mention the cleaning!) while they waited for their quarantine to be completed. A special shout-out to Philip for spending the better part of two weeks at our Cass Lake building caring for the cats and kittens while working remotely. We could not have a better team of volunteers! If you'd like to help cover our extra expenses of cat and kitten food, litter, medicine, cleaning supplies, and "boarding" for Philip, just click on the donate button!

06/22/2024

We’ve already run out of donated dog food at this weekend‘s clinic. Some canned cat food remains available as of Saturday morning. If you need cat food, we recommend stopping by as early as possible today. 

06/11/2024

Another opportunity for vaccines for your dog or cat. Please see information from the Leech Lake Tribal Police’s post, below. This is not a Leech Lake Legacy event. 

06/02/2024

Take a break this afternoon at Fat Pants Brewing Co. and enjoy a pint and something to eat! Fat Pants will donate one dollar for each pint sold to Leech Lake Legacy from noon to 5 PM! Ken and Karen are working the info/merch table.