Surrender & Transport

Leech Lake Legacy is unique in that we do not have an adoption program.  All animals that come into our Surrender & Transport Program are placed with partner shelters and rescues, where they receive necessary medical care (including spay/neuter surgery) and are made available for adoption by those partner shelters and rescues.

The Leech Lake Tribal Police CSO keeps us apprised of the animals at the impound in Cass Lake and releases them to us, at the appropriate time, for transport and placement.  Our Program Director is in constant communication with the CSO and our partner shelters and rescues to secure placement for each animal that will be on the next transport.  No animal is transported without placement.  Because we recognize the importance of working together for the benefit of all, our transports are coordinated with animal welfare organizations at Red Lake and White Earth reservations and surrounding communities.  On a typical transport day, volunteers bring animals to a meeting place in Bemidji from points north and west. These volunteers then head to the Cass Lake impound, where they pick up dogs and cats who have been okayed for transport. Volunteers then transport the animals to Motley, where they meet up with other volunteers who then transport the animals to rescues and shelters in and around the Twin Cities.

In addition to our weekly transports, we also take in surrendered animals at all our spay/neuter and wellness clinics and surrender events.