Volunteer Kelly Christian announces $8,000 CPOF award to support Rangely shelter

Kelly Christian, a longtime Rangely resident who said she represents Rangely Rescue and Rehome Refuge (doing business as For Our Animals), told the town council her nonprofit has been awarded $8,000 from the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund (CPOF) to support the local animal shelter.

"I am happy to say that we were awarded $8,000," Christian said, noting the money is earmarked for spay-and-neuter procedures and other medical needs for shelter animals, including vaccinations and microchipping. She said the funds are restricted to services for shelter animals only.

Christian described a planned reimbursement arrangement in which the town would invoice quarterly for eligible expenses and the nonprofit would reimburse the town from the grant funds. She said the arrangement is intended to build trust with grantors and make the shelter a stronger partner for future support.

She said the nonprofit is not yet eligible for large capital grants from the Animal Assistance Fund/Foundation (grants she said are often well over $100,000) because the organization has not previously established a relationship with that funder. In the short term, Christian said she will apply in September for an Organizational Capacity Program grant that covers staff and board training, non-capital equipment and repairs, technology needs and support for fundraising efforts. She said that program opens Sept. 1, closes Sept. 30, award notifications arrive in late November to early December, and funds are typically disbursed at the end of December.

Christian also reported a private donation from Utah Gas to offset adoption fees and described local donation jars that are used for supplies such as leashes and food "in coordination with Lacy" at the shelter. She urged the council and community to help recruit volunteers; she said the shelter has an immediate need for regular volunteers to walk and socialize dogs and suggested late-afternoon shifts around 4 p.m. as feasible for many residents.

Council members asked clarifying questions about grant timelines and whether the CPOF award required a local match; Christian said neither the CPOF nor the organizational-capacity grant requires a match, although funders often like to see collaboration between a 501(c)(3) and the municipality.

Next steps: Christian said she will pursue the organizational-capacity application in the fall and welcomed council feedback on potential capacity needs the town and shelter should prioritize.