Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located on the Red Lake Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. Its mission is to decrease the overpopulation of companion animals on the Red Lake Reservation of northern Minnesota. 

The overpopulation of companion animals and the resulting homelessness, disease, starvation, and abuse have remained unchecked for generations on the reservation. Red Lake Rosie’s (RLRR) is named after Rosie, one of the first dogs rescued. 

The Red Lake Reservation, which is approximately the size of Rhode Island, has a population of 5,000 people.  There have been no other programs in the history of the nation that address the needs or protect the rights of companion animals until Red Lake Rosie was formed in 2006. Hampered by isolation, harsh climate, high unemployment, poverty, and high incidence of crime and domestic violence, companion animals suffer more than any other group.

 There are no veterinarians on the reservation, and pet health care, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering are almost non-existent.  Even those animals that are not homeless often live outdoors without shelter and are expected to forage for their food. Many have malnutrition, dehydration, gunshot and other forms of abusive wounds, injuries from collisions with autos, as well as infection with mange mites and other parasites. It is a common and acceptable practice for residents to drop off litters of puppies and kittens, as well as adult animals at the community garbage dumpsters, where they are left to die of starvation, exposure, and/or disease.

On the west boundary of the Red Lake Reservation RLRR  has built an animal shelter with 30 outdoor dog/puppy kennels, and an indoor shelter for cats, kittens, and very young puppies and smaller breeds in an older building. All of the animals at the shelter must be transported to rescues in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, 270 miles away, since there are very few potential adoptive homes in the rural communities near the reservation.   75% of all funding is used for animal medical and neuter/spay efforts.  

****From 2006 - 2021: Red Lake Rosie's Rescue has rescued 12,617 Animals and provided spay/neuter services for 8,131 Community Animals.***