animal-shelter

Garfield County approves grants for local animal shelters

PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2021

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners has approved two grants totaling $420,000 to the Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E.) and Rifle Animal Shelter. The nonprofits help keep animal populations in control and healthy in Garfield County through spaying and neutering services and vaccination clinics.

Glenwood Springs-based C.A.R.E. received $250,000 and the Rifle Animal Shelter $170,000 for 2021 out of the county’s Nonprofit Discretionary Grant Fund. Both grants were approved unanimously, 3-0.

CARE accepted 258 strays in 2020, including 138 from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. It performed 443 spay and neuter surgeries last year, with 137 $50 vouchers sent to customers to help cover the cost of the procedure at local vets; vaccinated or microchipped 144 pets; and adopted out 654 animals into homes.

“It is with great gratitude that I say thank you for this funding, which helps keep the shelter going,” added Wes Boyd, CARE executive director. “We’ve already taken in 44 feral cats for spay and neuter and vaccination in 2021, so far.”

The Rifle shelter took in and cared for 1,584 animals and adopted out 1,222 pets to homes in 2020. It also spayed and neutered more than 1,400 animals and vaccinated another 1,276.

“I want to say thank you very much,” said Heather Grant, Rifle Animal Shelter executive director. “I know that with cuts 2021 has been a tough year for the budget. I appreciate the board’s continued support.”

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