Organization traps, neuters and releases cats

Almost 100 cats are expected to be trapped, neutered and released this weekend as part of the launch for the newly formed Grand Valley Cat Coalition.

The organization is made up of several animal service providers across Mesa County who are donating their time to help control our cat overpopulation.

Saturday, more than 100 volunteers came out to Roice–Hurst Humane Society to help in any way they could.

Whether that be cleaning crates, running cats back and forth, prepping for surgery, or keeping the animals company as they woke up.

Animal Planet's Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet and his team provided all the surgeries free of cost to the coalition.

"We can do anywhere from 100-200 cats all weekend long,” said Co-Chair of the Grand Valley Cat Coalition, Anna Stout.

Crates were stacking and fur was flying as hundreds of volunteers piled into Roice-Hurst.

"Frankly we're surprised that there were that many in this community who care,” said Stout.

Trapping, neutering and eventually returning all the cats to where they were found.

"The idea is to target areas to really reduce the number of feral cats and cats in general in the grand valley,” said TV personality and Owner of Planned Pethood Plus in Denver, Dr. Jeff Young.

The shelter says the overwhelming amount of cats that aren't spayed or neutered results in hundreds of kittens being taken into their shelter, and ultimately runs them thin on supplies.

"Fifty percent of cats have a litter before they are fixed,” said Dr. Young.

It’s not just un-owned cats, but owned cats are also part of the problem.

"You decrease the noise problem, you decrease the overall population, you stop so many animals from suffering at night, there's a lot of positive things by doing this,” said Dr. Young.

By starting in a small area.

"1st Street to 12th Street and North Avenue all the way down to the Riverside Parkway,” said Stout.

To try and make a big difference.

"So when she asked me if I would be interested in doing something like this I jumped on the chance, of course I would, and I love doing this, this is the way to spend a weekend,” said Dr. Young.

The Grand Valley Cat Coalition will continue to focus on small, contained areas until the cat population is controlled before expanding their efforts to more areas.

Trapping and surgeries will continue all weekend long.