Since that time Tanner has been passed around various homes on the reservation, and when the last lady got him, he was hungry and very tired. She kept Tanner for a month and fed him and then brought him to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue as she could no longer afford to buy food for him.
There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.
On the front of my house there was a 10' x 25' deck area that was not used. It seemed a good place to collect junk and was basically unuseable in summer due to insects and in winter due to ice and snow. It already had a roof and floor, so we went ahead and enclosed the area, insulated it and finished the floor and walls. The only cost to RLRR for the office was the wiring of the computer jack, phone jack and electricity for the addition.
Previously the files and computer were in a small kitchen area which was cluttered and took up all the living space in the house. Although 10 x 25 feet does not seem like lots of space, it has made a real difference here!
The dogs love the new area, too. Reilly and Julie prefer to rest on the futon couch and hang out in this area.
There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.
On the front of my house there was a 10' x 25' deck area that was not used. It seemed a good place to collect junk and was basically unuseable in summer due to insects and in winter due to ice and snow. It already had a roof and floor, so we went ahead and enclosed the area, insulated it and finished the floor and walls. The only cost to RLRR for the office was the wiring of the computer jack, phone jack and electricity for the addition.Previously the files and computer were in a small kitchen area which was cluttered and took up all the living space in the house. Although 10 x 25 feet does not seem like lots of space, it has made a real difference here!The dogs love the new area, too. Reilly and Julie prefer to rest on the futon couch and hang out in this area.
UPDATE FROM ACT V:
As usual, we need volunteers to pull this thing off! 
We can greatly reduce the number of winter litters born and help ill, injured, and unwanted/stray animals before the really cold temperatures arrive. 
Please think about joining us. It's an experience you won't forget, and you will be instrumental in changing the future for many Red Lake animals.On the front of my house there was a 10' x 25' deck area that was not used. It seemed a good place to collect junk and was basically unuseable in summer due to insects and in winter due to ice and snow. It already had a roof and floor, so we went ahead and enclosed the area, insulated it and finished the floor and walls. The only cost to RLRR for the office was the wiring of the computer jack, phone jack and electricity for the addition.Previously the files and computer were in a small kitchen area which was cluttered and took up all the living space in the house. Although 10 x 25 feet does not seem like lots of space, it has made a real difference here!The dogs love the new area, too. Reilly and Julie prefer to rest on the futon couch and hang out in this area.
We had another great cooperative transport with Red Lake Rosie's, Leech Lake Legacy, and Bemidji Pound animals on Saturday, September 2nd.
Barbie Olson, the O'Sullivans and Karen were the drivers for this transport.
We had quite the welcoming committee at Golden Valley with Jenny's sister and nieces and then the rescues coming to pick up the animals! It was like a big party in front of AHS' intake area, and of course, a lot of the AHS folks came out to join the party!!And Martha, you will be happy to know that your three kitties got LOTS and LOTS of love and attention from Jenny's nieces!! :) and the volunteer from Second Hand Hounds who came to pick up Peck, Phish and Plenty was sooo excited to meet them and transport them ....
and Karen: St. Francis Rescue let me know that they would take very good care of the litter of 5 pups ....
A million thanks to everyone who made it possible for 20 animals to move onto the next stage of their journey in finding their forever home!!
Marilou
A lady from Red Lake called to have a litter of puppies and their mama removed. Carol and Karen went to the residence and found Loris and her litter of 6 tiny pups. Loris was very malnourished and dehydrated.
It went well for 2 days, and then on day 3 mama Loris disappeared from the shelter. Her 6 puppies lapped milk and thrived until the following Saturday when they were tranported to Cass Lake where the puppy roundup was being held. Dr. Vickie of Act V was at the roundup and took the 6 puppies and they are now in foster care.
CHESS (male) has cute white toes.
JUNIOR (male) is the smallest boy.
KATE (female) is the smallest and quietest. She follows her brothers around.
REAGAN (male) is buddies with Kate. He's one of the biggest boys.
RILEY (male) How cute is he??
Searches for Loris have been unsuccessful. Food and water is placed on the periphery of the shelter hoping that she would be in the area and maybe come back.
Male: white w/brown over one eye and deaf, weighs 71 lbs. 5 yrs old
There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.
Milo, the collie from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, has been in foster care with Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue for over three months now and I check his blog, "Milo the foster collie; his new leash on life" at http://milothefostercollie.blogspot.com/ just about everyday. See previous RLRR posts about Milan/Milo on June 12 and June 25.
He has had one struggle after another regaining his health so I hope you all will send good thoughts and wishes to Milo and his loving & patient foster mom. I'll share some highlights and photos from his blog:
Let's start with some photos from when he first arrived at the vet direct from Red Lake. He was in terrible condition: emaciated, infected with parasites, fur matted and infested with ticks, raw skin and wounds.
Shaving him down was the first step. I'm sure he felt better, but he looked even more pathetic. He did, however, bear a striking resemblance to a beloved Sesame Street character named Beaker.
The story of Milo's recovery will be continued tomorrow...
