Garfield County awards $220,000 to Colorado Animal Rescue

Garfield County Commissioners last week awarded $220,000 to Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE) for its 2022 operations. The nonprofit organization provides housing and services to stray and abandoned animals and pets in Garfield County, according to a county news release.

In 2021, CARE welcomed 775 animals to its shelter, including 221 strays and 271 pets that owners had to abandon, CARE executive director Wes Boyd told commissioners at their February 28 meeting.

The shelter, located in Spring Valley near Colorado Mountain College, also adopted or placed 629 animals and provided 344 spaying/neutering surgeries, serving 1,065 total animals through all services, Boyd said.

Additionally, CARE also provided the community with 6,360 pounds of free pet food; vaccination of 124 microchipped pets in clinics; mailed 508 free pet ID tags; animals taken on board during recent wildfire emergencies; and provided free animal behavior consultations for owners, among other offerings.

The nonprofit continues to work with feral cats in the area to keep those populations down and practices socially conscious methods of handling animals that come to CARE, Boyd said.

And, only five animals were euthanized at the shelter in 2021, he reported.

“We feel completely aligned in the county with the council and our work, and we appreciate that very much. …I’m proud to say that during COVID we haven’t missed a single day of work,” Boyd said. “Each animal is vaccinated, neutered or neutered and microchipped before leaving the shelter.”

In addition, the commissioners at their February 28 meeting also approved a new $45,000 grant for West Springs Mental Health Hospital in Grand Junction. The facility is operated by Mind Springs Health, based in Glenwood Springs.

Both grants were approved unanimously, 3-0, by the commissioners.