Learn about Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue
23880 So. Good Road
Trail, MN 56684

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Volunteer program to educate Red Lake residents and to reduce overpopulation of companion animals and the resulting problems of abuse and neglect.

2005-July 2008: 1646 animals rescued, sheltered and sent to organizations for rehoming, 1105 spayed/neutered, 8 free clinics.

Located on the west boundary of the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota amid an oak forest located 18 miles from the nearest town.

Rescued animals have been taken from garbage dumpsters, along highways, and sometimes surrendered by their owners.

Many animals rescued suffer from disease, starvation, dehydration, mange or injury.

The RLRR Support Team, rescue groups, shelters and fosters provide much needed assistance.

Karen Good:
Full-time Native American School Teacher for 18 years teaching at-risk kids. Founded Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue Inc. in 2005. Karen has been referred to as the “Mother Theresa” of Red Lake and the animal world. Her compassion, dedication and hard work have lead many people to want to help her. Many say after meeting her that their lives have been touched in very special ways.

How Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue Got it’s Name:
Rosie was a dog rescued in 1998 and surrendered at the Beltrami Humane Society in Bemidji, MN. Someone there saw something special in Rosie and trained her as a therapy dog. She made her new home at a retirement home called Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji. Rosie still lives a very full life and adds joy to the residents there. Because of this unwanted and neglected dog – Karen vowed to help all animals find a home because they are all special and deserve a good life.

RLRR Focus:

1)Education

Educating Red Lake residents. Teaching basic animal care which includes feeding, watering, shelter, medical care and spay/neuter. Organizing booths and presentations at Red Lake Health Fairs and Clinics for discussing animal issues, abuse, and spay/neuter.

Tribal Code Revision Regarding Animal Abuse/Neglect. Working on revising the Red Lake Tribal Code as it pertains to animal abuse. There has never been a case of animal abuse in the tribal courts except for the protection of people against animals until now. Animal abuse cases have involved the order to destroy animals that have bitten people.

Developing a humane model to be replicated on other Indian Reservations. Based upon that education, Karen is teaching compassion to a society facing enormous challenges. Those who abuse animals may abuse children and women. By teaching compassion and providing an opportunity for volunteerism for students, everyday brutality faced on the reservation is reduced.

2) Medical Care

Provide medical care and spay/neuter from private donations at local vet clinics year round and from sponsored free animal clinics in the spring and summer. RLRR has coordinated 6 free clinics in the past 3 years which spay/neuter, vaccinate, de-worm, provide flea/tick applications and general medical care. Free clinics have been sponsored by HSUS RAVS (Rural Veterinary Services), Golden Valley Animal Humane Society and Animal Ark Neuter Commuter from Hastings.

3) Shelter and Placement

Dogs needing medical attention or waiting to go to a foster home, rescue group or shelter are housed in 14 outdoor kennels with cozy warm igloos. Small pups and cats are in an inside shelter. All rescued animals are provided homes off the reservation.

Red Lake Reservation Background:

Red Lake Reservation is in Northwestern Minnesota and is 564,426 acres (size of Rhode Island).

Unemployment is 39%.

9,000 people live on the reservation.

Average “old” age of any animal on the reservation is 3, due to the conditions of neglect and abuse.

Some people really care about their animals but don’t have the funds or knowledge to properly care for them. Others see dogs and cats as a nuisance.