Leech Lake Legacy

Serving reservation animals and the people who love them.

Leech Lake Legacy is an animal welfare organization for the benefit of animals and their owners on Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota.

Formed in 2011 to address the placement and transport needs of animals in the local impound, the programs of Leech Lake Legacy have grown and expanded to improve the health Leech Lake Reservation's companion and community animals through subsidized wellness and spay/neuter services, and to reduce the number of stray and unwanted animals by placing them with and transporting them to partner shelters and rescues.  We operate out of our own building in Cass Lake, Minnesota, purchased in March 2020.  Our roots are firmly planted in Cass Lake and Leech Lake Reservation.

Placement & Transport:   Surrendered animals are entrusted to us for placement with and transport to partner shelters and rescues.  Those partner shelters and rescues arrange for adoption.  Since 2011, nearly 29,000 animals have found their way to new homes!  Sick or injured animals receive veterinary care if needed before being delivered to our partner shelters and rescues.  And because we can do more for animals by working together, we coordinate our efforts with surrounding communities so that we can make the most use of our resource. 

An anonymous donor has pledged a $30,000 matching grant for our Transport Van Fundraiser. We've already raised $10,200 and have $19.800 left to take full advantage of the match. To donate to the Transport Van Fundraiser and take advantage of the match, click here https://give.mn/fwjxrf !

Wellness:  Subsidized wellness services are available for the companion and community animals of Leech Lake Reservation.  Exams, vaccines, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, nail trims, and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries are all available during our Wellness clinics.  Veterinarians and veterinary technicians volunteer their time and talents, which we supplement with donated and purchased supplies and medications.  With the aid of clinic software and volunteers manning the phones, we now operate wellness by appointment.  Since 2011, nearly 9,300 animals have been seen in our Wellness clinics!  

Spay/Neuter:  Subsidized spay/neuter services are available for the companion and community animals of Leech Lake Reservation.  Surgery patients receive exams and vaccines, fle/tick and heart worm preventative, and nail trims, and also enjoy the benefits of sterilization, which include no more litters (reducing the future population on animals for us to see in our clinics or place and transport), reduction of certain cancers and disease, and reduction of some unwanted behaviors.  With additional dedicated grant money, we've also multiple TNR (trap-neuter-return) clinics for feral and community cats.  Since 2011, over 4,300 animals have received lifesaving spay/neuter surgery!

Week in, week out, our volunteers gather, transport, and distribute donated pet food and supplies.  They clean crates and wash linens.  They travel far and commit much of their free time, away from family and work, to make sure each clinic and event is as successful as possible.  We are very grateful for the support of our friends at Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Animal Care Clinic, and all our partner shelters and rescues!

Mission:  Leech Lake Legacy is an animal welfare organization that empowers Native American communities to enrich the lives of animals by providing resources and sharing information.

Vision: We envision a world where every reservation dog and cat is well cared for.

Core Belief: Leech Lake Legacy believes that by working together and collaborating with a larger network of animal welfare organizations in Minnesota, we will be able to do more for the animals and the pet owners of Leech Lake Reservation.

Together, we can do amazing things.  Together, we can save lives.  Together, we can make a difference.  Donate today!

[Statistics above and below through October 31, 2026.]