Four months ago, Linus’s Legacy, a local animal rescue, was formed in Crookston to help care for animals who are strays or surrenders with the objective of getting them healthy and adopted out to their new forever homes.
The rescue started slow and with a few hiccups, but is now a busy and fulfilling non-profit organization making a difference in Crookston and the surrounding area, says Secretary Lori Carlson. “It’s going well. It’s just been a slow but steady increase in foster families we have available, pet intakes we can take and donations and fundraisers, “says Carlson. “It’s been exciting.”
Linus’s Legacy has started to pickup and is happy they have been able to adopt out seven animals, and have many more animals awaiting adoption. “We have had seven total adoptions, one adult cat, four kittens, an adult dog, and a puppy,” says rescue director Cassandra Torkleson. “Adoptable, we have two adult cats, 11 kittens, we also have four adult dogs, one senior Springer spaniel, two French bulldogs, one pit-bull mix, and eight puppies.” Not all are quite adoptable, Torkleson says, as some of the younger animals still need to get up to a healthy weight to be fixed, as all animals are fixed before they are adoptable.
The Linus’s Legacy team has been working hard to get the word out about their organization and will be out and about this summer at different events with a few of the animals and information on Linus’s Legacy. “We did the Farmer’s Market just a few days ago. It was nice to get a couple of our puppies out into the community and engage with some of the adults and little kids,” says Carlson. “We had Fleet Supply a couple of days ago. The puppies got to play, and we got lots of love from Fleet Supply. Thank you so much. There were so many donations from community members at Fleet Supply. We took a bin home and divided it up for puppy fosters.”
There are more opportunities to catch Linus’s Legacy out and about with animals and information. “Coming up soon, it will be the Polk County Fair. We will be there as many days as possible,” says Carlson. “We are going to have our board meeting this week to figure out how much volunteer support we have to cover our booth.” Carlson says people have been asking about Linus’s Legacy merchandise, and they will have that available at the Polk County Fair for anyone who wishes to purchase items as part of their fundraising. Linus’s Legacy will also be around during Ox Cart Days.
As a non-profit organization, monetary donations are one of the most significant needs for Linus’s Legacy, as they cover all medical care for the animals. Yet, the community can help Linus’s Legacy thrive in so many other ways. “I think we would be grateful for anything. Whether it is spreading the word about our rescue, wanting to fill out a foster form, wanting to adopt, or wanting to donate because you are unable to foster or adopt,” says Torkleson. “Even to just be an advocate for the animals in our community. If you see something, say something. Speak up, because they don’t have a voice.”
One of the many ways that Linus’s Legacy has been able to help animals has been through working with other agencies in the community to find the proper care and placement for the animals they rescue. “Besides adoptions that we have had or intakes into foster homes, we did have one rescue transfer on May 31. The collie trapped in the junkyard that I was looking for, for a few weeks, after her capture, she was transferred to Minnesota/Wisconsin Collie Rescue,” says Torkleson. “We are a big believer in networking and working together as a team with all area rescues and shelters because it’s best when everyone works together.”
Look for Linus’s Legacy at the Polk County Fair and the Crookston Farmers Market this summer. The animals available for adoption can be seen on PetFinder and Linus’s Legacy Facebook Page. If you have questions about any of the animals, feel free to call 218-280-8904.
