Local nonprofit says shelter awarded $8,000 for spay/neuter, seeks volunteer help

Kelly Christian, who identified herself as a member of Rangely Rescue / Rehome Refuge, told the Rangely Town Council the group had been awarded $8,000 from the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund to cover spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations and microchipping for animals housed at the town shelter.

"I am happy to say that we were awarded $8,000," Christian said, noting it was the group’s first successful application to the fund. She said the money is restricted to medical care for shelter animals and will not be used for general operations.

Christian said she plans to apply this fall for an organizational capacity grant — which opens Sept. 1 and closes Sept. 30 — to cover non‑capital needs such as staff and board training, repairs, technology and fundraising support. She asked the council to work with the nonprofit to identify items they could buy now and then transfer to a future facility should a capital grant become available.

She also noted a recent donation from Utah Gas Corp earmarked to offset adoption fees and described the ongoing local donation jars that fund supplies. "We are still in desperate need of volunteers at the shelter," Christian said, asking residents to consider helping even once or twice a week to walk or socialize animals.

The mayor and councilors discussed options for partnership and one council member said staff would follow up to schedule a meeting to identify specific needs and potential uses for capacity‑building funds. Christian said awards for the organizational capacity grant are typically announced in late November or early December if successful; funds would be distributed at the end of December.