Clinic basics

Looking ahead, we have clinics scheduled at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue with MN SNAP May 24-27, July 18-21, September 19-21.

CLINIC SIGNIf you have thought about volunteering, we need help for the days of the clinics as well as the day before and the day after for clean-up. Karen also needs help with chores at the shelter and transports to and from Ponemah during the clinics, as well as transports of animals before and after the clinics to the metro.

OVERVIEW OF SET-UPPeople can come for the days they are available that we need help, but we need to know who is coming in advance so there are not too many helpers or too few. Contact DeeDee at animalrescue@redlakerosie.org for more information about volunteering.

The clinics are held in the town of Redby on the Red Lake Indian Reservation about one hour north of Bemidji, Minnesota. We have been fortunate to be allowed to use space in a warehouse building that includes a kitchen, running water and electricity to meet the needs of the mobile surgical unit.

TOM & JERRYThe Native people arrive with their pets and are checked in on our database. Some people bring animals already spayed or neutered that need shots or other treatment for injuries or illness.

BOB CLEANING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTSVolunteers help with checking in the animals and gathering information. There is an ongoing need for carrier and kennel cleaning. Animals must be watched over after surgery. Surgical instruments are cleaned, laundry is done, food is prepared and served.

CHOW AFTER SHAVEAlong with the skilled vets and vet techs, it is a true blessing when we have a groomer to help the matted animals.

SLEEPING AT THE WAREHOUSEThere is space and cots for volunteers to stay at the warehouse or there are motel rooms available nearby including at the brand new casino.

LINDSAY CLEANING CRATESIf you aren't sure about helping at a clinic, consider coming up for a couple of days to help Karen at the shelter. She can always use the help and there is a room to stay there, too. Again, you can contact DeeDee at animalrescue@redlakerosie.org for more information about shelter visits.

TIMBER GETS A COLLAR TO REPLACE A CHAINCommunity outreach is also important at the clinics. We're not just there to treat the animals for those few days, but we want to make sure everyone learns how to take good care of their animals all the time. We offer new collars, books for children, and food as needed.

BOOKSTHANKS to Mary for these photos from the most recent clinic. Anyone is welcome to submit photos and impressions for the blog at blog@redlakerosie.org.

LOADED FOR DRIVE HOME

Mary's observations at RLRR March clinic

THOUGHTS AND PHOTOS OF VOLUNTEER MARY:
We had a litter of husky pups that were pooping glass and foil. Thankfully it was tempered glass from a windshield so it didn't appear to do any damage to the pups.

NICCI & PUPSMALLORY, KARMEN & PUPSA family came back to pick up their little dog but we needed to keep it over night, the girl in the family was sad and crying so we brought her back to see her puppy. Its touching to see so many caring families at the clinics.

BUDDYThe pitbull Buddy was everyone's favorite. Big ole kisser.

WINTER AFTER QUILL REMOVALWe had 2 dogs come in with quills in their face - Winter a large shep mix and a smaller white dog from the same family.

DR. CHARLIE10 year old cat was saved from a house fire and was treated by Dr Roni and Lindsay and is now doing fine. Volunteers at the clinic found a shirt, a comforter and some food for the woman who lost her house to the fire.

DR. B & LINDSAYThree dogs beyond help were euthanized. A 14 year old dog full of tumors. Much loved by its owner. She left her coat to comfort her dog during the procedure. A large husky mix that was paralyzed due to an injury. The whole extended family came to say good bye to this much loved companion. It was very sad but touching to see. A large black lab mix with advanced heartworm was also brought in for euthanization as it was suffering.

LINDSAY & PUPSad little skinny black and white pit was returned to live on a chain :-(

MIKE & DUBLINDublin, large brown/black dog was brought in injured and I believe found on the side of the road. The injury looks like she was attacked by a dog and also hit by a car. She was in pretty rough shape on arrival but made steady improvements. Initially couldn't stand up. She went back with Ark for further xrays. She was very sweet and loved cuddling and giving kisses. These are amazing dogs.

JUNIORJunior, a basset/border collie mix tested positive for heartworm, anaplasmosis and lymes. He came back to Second Hand Hounds and is now being fostered by Jennifer Kaufman. I originally brought him back but he has separation anxiety and Jennifers boarding facility is a better place to deal with that. He was so timid but sweet. I tried to spend extra time with the surrendered dogs and helped him come out of his shell. By the end of the clinic he wasn't tucking his tail anymore and approaching people shyly for pets.

POST-OP PUPSMany more stories, still trying to process all of it.

HEIDI & FLUFF PUPHEIDI & MIN-PINI'd say the Most valuable player of the clinic was Heidi. She was the first one up and the last one asleep at night. She did a phenominal job of managing the animal care group and working with intake. She is so good with ALL the dogs. Big, small, scared etc...

JULIE GROOMINGELLEN & FOODThe 2nd Most Valuable Players are Linda Ratay and Claudia W for planning, buying and cooking all the food that we eat at the clinic. We eat so well and it makes everything so much easier! Claudia's daughter Ellen was at the clinic to serve up the food.

MARY & MAXMary

Funding for the March clinic provided by Joan Lawson of the Lawson Family Fund.

Special thanks for the March clinic

KAREN'S COMMENTS ON THE MARCH CLINIC:
We only had 27 surrendered animals which is a record low. We believe this indicates that we are getting control over the numbers of homeless animals as a result of the years of clinics and rescue/sheltering!!

KAREN GOOD & CAROL PRIESTThanks from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue to Joan Lawson and the Lawson Family Fund which funded the March clinic. Thanks for the skilled veterinary care from Animal Ark and Akin Hills Vet clinic.

Thank you to volunteer Mary for her hard work and for taking so many photos.

A special thank you to Claudia, Ellen, and Linda for all the great food they have provided for the animal clinics for the past years. They are a lifesaver for all the volunteers and vet teams that work hard every day.

In addition, Linda purchased a new cooking range for the clinic as the old range was worn out and very hard to use. She has also provided other clinic appliances such as microwaves and coffee pots useful to keep all the volunteers so happy!

Thank you so much for your kindness and support of the animal clinics which make a difference for the Red Lake animals and all the clinic staff!

There are so many to thank and I thank you all.

Sincerely, Karen and RLRR

March Clinic: Thoughts from Animal Ark

Red Lake, Spring, 2011
Posted by Mallory Eiynck on March 22, 2011 on Animal Ark blog:

As some of you already know, I haven't been to a Red Lake Clinic since 2008. What a dramatic difference in just three years! Not only do the clinics themselves run more smoothly, but the animals we are seeing are in better condition, and are return visitors to the clinics. At least forty of the animals coming in for vaccines only had been there previous years for vaccines and/or spay/neuter. A total of 180 surgeries were performed in three days, between the Neuter Commuter team and the Akin Hills Team. We provided services to over 230 animals in three days. I think all of us would agree that it felt like more!

CURT & PUPAs many of the Red Lakers know, you see boat loads of puppies. While we saw many, many puppies, many of the puppies were transferred out for rescue, and some were adopted out to folks on the reservation, after spay/neuter services and some vaccines. Overall, the clinic was a great success! The biggest success to me, was at the very end of the clinic, there was not a single animal that needed to be transferred to the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue as all surrendered animals had found placement with rescues or community members.

LINDSAY, DR. RONI, MALLORYLastly, we cannot come back from Red Lake without a "hit by car dog." This year, it is Dublin, a very sweet black lab girl who was found in the ditch, likely after being struck by a car. Dr. Roni, Lindsay, and Karmen had her waiting for us upon arrival. She is the black dog in third photo below. The first photo is our stellar volunteer Curt, hanging out with one of the puppies while his kennel was being cleaned. The second photo down is Lindsay, Dr. Roni, and myself trying to get big boy to stop messing with his fresh neuter incision.

DUBLINIn closing, my sincere gratitude goes out to each person who made this clinic possible. It was a tremendous honor to work with all of you, who have changed the lives of so many animals.

Animal Ark/Akin Hills clinic in March

ANIMAL ARK BLOG POST BY MALLORY:
As some of you already know, I haven't been to a Red Lake Clinic since 2008. What a dramatic difference in just three years! Not only do the clinics themselves run more smoothly, but the animals we are seeing are in better condition, and are return visitors to the clinics. At least forty of the animals coming in for vaccines only had been there previous years for vaccines and/or spay/neuter. A total of 180 surgeries were performed in three days, between the Neuter Commuter team and the Akin Hills Team. We provided services to over 230 animals in three days. I think all of us would agree that it felt like more!

CURT & PUPAs many of the Red Lakers know, you see boat loads of puppies. While we saw many, many puppies, many of the puppies were transferred out for rescue, and some were adopted out to folks on the reservation, after spay/neuter services and some vaccines. Overall, the clinic was a great success! The biggest success to me, was at the very end of the clinic, there was not a single animal that needed to be transferred to the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue as all surrendered animals had found placement with rescues or community members.

LINDSAY, DR. RONI, MALLORYLastly, we cannot come back from Red Lake without a "hit by car dog." This year, it is Dublin, a very sweet black lab girl who was found in the ditch, likely after being struck by a car. Dr. Roni, Lindsay, and Karmen had her waiting for us upon arrival. She is the black dog in third photo below. The first photo is our stellar volunteer Curt, hanging out with one of the puppies while his kennel was being cleaned. The second photo down is Lindsay, Dr. Roni, and myself trying to get big boy to stop messing with his fresh neuter incision.

DUBLINIn closing, my sincere gratitude goes out to each person who made this clinic possible. It was a tremendous honor to work with all of you, who have changed the lives of so many animals.