Bemidji has long been known for its pioneering spirit, and that spirit extends to its dedication to animal welfare. At the heart of this commitment is Great River Rescue, an animal shelter serving the community for decades. Recently, this vital organization welcomed a new executive director, Marina Lovell, a passionate advocate for animals and a true Great Pioneer Dog and cat champion in her own right. Leaving behind a career in business consulting, Lovell has wholeheartedly embraced her lifelong dream: to dedicate her professional life to helping animals in need.
“I always wanted to work in this field,” Lovell explains, her enthusiasm palpable. “If you’d asked me what I would do if money were no object, this is it. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s a calling.” Taking the reins in December 2023, Lovell’s first year has been a whirlwind of activity, navigating the daily complexities of running a bustling animal shelter.
Working at Great River Rescue is far from predictable. Every day brings new challenges and heartwarming moments in equal measure. Lovell credits her dedicated staff, selfless volunteers, supportive foster families, and engaged board of directors for making the demanding yet rewarding work possible. “Shelter work is something most people say they could never do, and they’re right about why,” Lovell acknowledges. “We face those difficult realities every day, and it’s often harder than people imagine. But it’s also so much more fulfilling than anyone can anticipate.”
Pioneering New Paths for Shelter Animals
As Lovell marks her first anniversary, Great River Rescue is embarking on exciting new initiatives to improve the lives of the animals in their care and better serve the community. A significant development is the construction of a private community dog park on the shelter’s property. In October, Jeff Dixon Construction and Roofing generously cleared two acres of land to pave the way for this innovative project.
The vision for this dog park is multifaceted. Firstly, it will provide a dedicated space for dogs awaiting adoption to exercise and socialize freely in a secure, fenced environment. Wilson and Son Field Service are slated to handle the fencing, ensuring a safe and contained area. Secondly, the park will be available for rent by community members, offering a private and secluded space for dog owners to enjoy with their pets.
“Our current dog runs were a great addition ten years ago, giving dogs outdoor access,” Lovell notes. “However, after arriving, I realized the limitations, especially for dogs like Stormfly, our deaf dog. It became clear we couldn’t safely let dogs off-leash outside the runs.” Shelter policy prohibits off-leash activity outside of contained areas, which presented a challenge for providing adequate enrichment. The new dog park aims to overcome this hurdle, allowing dogs to truly express themselves and showcase their personalities to potential adopters.
“Dogs can spend months here without truly getting to play,” Lovell explains. “They might play a little, but they don’t get the chance to run, jump, and really exert themselves. Imagine having a space where they can experience ‘zoomies,’ get thoroughly tired out, and sleep soundly through the night! Being able to throw a ball or frisbee for our dogs will be incredible for their well-being and showcasing their true nature.”
Community Support: The Lifeline of a Pioneer Shelter
Like many non-profit animal shelters, Great River Rescue faces ongoing financial challenges. Funding is a constant concern, highlighting the critical reliance on community support.
Great River Rescue operates as a no-kill shelter, depending heavily on the generosity of the Bemidji community. Hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donations annually sustain their vital work. “I don’t think people always realize the sheer cost of running a shelter,” Lovell states. “We’ve had people want to donate specifically to the shelter, which is wonderful because that’s exactly where the funds are most needed, especially during emergency fundraising appeals.”
While emergency Facebook fundraisers can be effective in urgent situations, many appeals for public support go unmet. To address this ongoing need, Great River Rescue actively participates in Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s statewide online day of giving. Funds raised through this initiative directly support the shelter’s mission of providing care and shelter for pets until they find permanent homes, as well as offering low-cost spay and neuter services.
Give to the Max Day, launched in 2009 to celebrate GiveMN.org, has become a significant annual fundraising event, raising over $300 million for Minnesota nonprofits and schools since its inception. Great River Rescue set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for the recent campaign, mirroring the previous year’s target.
“There’s a common misconception that animal shelters receive substantial grant funding, but that’s simply not the reality,” Lovell clarifies. “Grants are more readily available for human-focused causes, but animal welfare organizations often rely heavily on direct community donations. When we emphasize our reliance on the community, it’s because the community truly is our backbone.”
Donations to Great River Rescue extend beyond monetary contributions. The shelter gratefully accepts donations of food, toys, blankets, pet accessories, and essential care items. Volunteers are equally invaluable, contributing their time and energy as dog walkers, cleaners, kitten socializers, and in countless other roles.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of everything we do here,” Lovell emphasizes. “Whether it’s playing with kittens or walking dogs, the need for volunteer support is constant and significant. Expanding our network of foster families is also a critical priority. With more foster homes, we could rescue more stray animals in need, but our capacity is currently limited by the number of available foster placements.”
Building a Stronger Community for Pets
Great River Rescue’s commitment to the community is reciprocal, demonstrated through programs like Pet Fixers, which makes pet care more accessible and affordable. For the fifth consecutive year, the shelter ran its Pet Fixers program from March to November, providing low-cost spay and neuter services to 665 cats and dogs in 2024.
“Affording spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations can be a significant financial burden for many pet owners,” Lovell explains. “Pet Fixers offers a cost-effective solution, enabling people to provide essential care for their beloved animals. This program also plays a crucial role in reducing pet overpopulation, ultimately decreasing the number of homeless animals entering shelters. It’s a vital service for both pet owners and animal welfare in general.”
Pet Fixers operates as a monthly low-cost spay and neuter clinic catering to qualified low-income pet owners. Volunteer veterinarian Dr. Paul Anderson and his team of technicians dedicate one weekend each month to perform surgeries and vaccinations for 60 to 90 animals. Registration slots for Pet Fixers clinics fill within minutes of opening, highlighting the overwhelming demand for this service. With a nominal deposit and a reduced fee, pet owners can access spay/neuter and vaccination services at a fraction of the cost of standard veterinary clinics.
“We definitely want to expand the Pet Fixers program to meet the clear and growing need,” Lovell affirms. “We’re also exploring expanding our exam room within the shelter to potentially host more surgeries and wellness clinics. We’ve offered wellness clinics in the past, but these require volunteer veterinarians. We would be incredibly grateful for any veterinarians willing to volunteer their time, even just once or twice a year.”
Reflecting on her first year, Lovell expresses gratitude for the learning experiences and unwavering connection with animals in need. She also holds deep admiration for her staff and volunteers. Witnessing firsthand the emotional and physical toll of shelter work has only strengthened her appreciation for their dedication. Great River Rescue recently hosted a Volunteer Appreciation event to recognize these unsung heroes.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside the extraordinary individuals who are capable of doing this work,” Lovell concludes. “These are people with immense passion for animals, who willingly navigate the emotional rollercoaster, face challenging situations, and endure the heartbreaking realities of animal cruelty. But they do it because they believe, as I do, that every animal deserves to be safe and loved until they find their forever home. At Great River Rescue, we provide that safety and love.”
Looking ahead, Lovell hopes to bring greater stability and predictability to the shelter’s operations. With a strategic plan extending to 2027 – Great River Rescue’s 50th anniversary year – the focus is on diversifying revenue streams and reducing reliance on fluctuating donations. “Despite the challenges, this work is incredibly rewarding,” Lovell reiterates. “I am privileged to work with amazing, compassionate people who are truly dedicated to the animals. We treat these animals as our own, and our shared motivation is to do everything possible to ensure they are safe, healthy, and happy.”
To support Marina Lovell and the pioneering work of Great River Rescue, donations can be made in person or mailed to P.O. Box 831, Bemidji, MN, 56619. Recurring monthly or weekly donations can be easily scheduled online at greatriverrescue.com.
