Capella University fundraiser

Capella University staff participates in a Community United campaign every year. Natalie Bernard, chair of the Animal Wellness campaign, chose Red Lake Rosie's Rescue as the recipient of both pet supply donations and monetary donations.

They raised an amazing $3200 for medical expenses at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and gathered lots of supplies including 407 lbs. of dog food, 131 lbs. of cat good, 185 lbs. of cat litter, litter pans, scoops, toys, Frontline for dogs and cats, rubber bowls and pails, stainless steel bowls, bleach, paper towels, tarps, dog brushes, detergent and two wheelbarrows.

Natalie, her husband Reed and their children loaded up their van and a trailer with all this bounty and delivered it to Karen at the shelter. As Karen said, "It was like Christmas in August!!"

NATALIE'S DESCRIPTION OF THEIR VISIT:
At 5:00 a.m., my husband and I loaded up the items and our two kids for a trip to the shelter. From Big Lake, it was nearly 5 hours. The shelter is on a good space of land, part of it is located on the reservation, but I did not drive through the reservation to get there. I was welcomed by Karen who had already started working on cleaning up puppy pens and dog kennels.

They had just transported 77 dogs in the past two days, so she had been quite busy! I believe there was an­other transport scheduled for today! I met many abused and neglected dogs, as well as sweet puppies who were there with their moms. Some puppies were too fearful to come out of their crates to say hello.

Let’s just say, had my husband not been there, we would have brought a dog home! One of the puppies rescued was found being cut by some teens with a knife, other puppies were rescued from a home with 16 dogs and not one bag of dog food in the house! Some were very friendly, and some were apprehensive due to the abuse they had previously suffered. It was really nice to have com­fort in the fact that they were now safe.

We also visited the cat house which houses all of the cats and kittens. Many of them I believe were owner surrenders and didn’t look to have the abuse seen in many of the dogs. I wish I would have had more time to stay and interact with the puppies and help with chores, but our schedule would not permit due to the drive back. I will, however, be going back in October for a spay-neuter clinic!

The best part of the trip was to see how grateful Karen was for everything. She couldn’t believe that all of the items came from groups of people that I work with and said she could not do what she did if it were not for people like us! She also let me know she started her organization with only $400! Last year alone the organization rescued over 800 animals.

To me, she is such a great example of the difference one person can make on the world. I’ve included a couple photos from the shelter. Last, I do want to say that I feel very honored to have met all of you! You are great peo­ple and it was each of you who had a part in making a difference for these animals! So, since they
are not able to say it, I will, THANK YOU!

Natalie

KAREN SAYS:
Dear Natalie:

Thank you so much to Reed, yourself, your co-workers and your children for the delivery of all the supplies, equipment and the medical funds through Capella University fundraiser. We are so thankful and overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone in behalf of Red Lake animals.

The medical funds have kept us afloat and kept our services for the many medical needs of animals that are coming in.

We appreciate all the cat supplies, litter, litter boxes, wheel barrows, puppy chips, kibble and canned foods, paper towels, and the list goes on.

Please express our appreciation to all your co-workers.

Also, wanted you to know we named 2 puppies Reed and Natalie!

Thank you, Natalie- we are still pinching ourselves when we think about all you did for the animals!!

Peace- Karen and Red Lake Rosie's Rescue