The Montrose Animal Protection Agency (MAPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of companion animals through public education, and to reducing the number of homeless animals by encouraging and facilitating the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats.

MAPA is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to animal welfare. Our focus is two-fold: spay/neuter vouchers for Montrose-area residents' pets, and educational activities for the community.

As a non-profit agency, all funds are based on personal and business contributions, grants, and fundraisers. Donations are always needed! At the request of the City of Montrose, MAPA undertook a fundraising project in 2004 to raise $50,000 to help expand and improve the Montrose Animal Shelter. Through the generosity of both individuals and businesses in the city and county, MAPA successfully reached its goal!

Spay/Neuter Vouchers

Spaying and neutering helps reverse the tragedy of pet overpopulation, reduces your pet's chances of developing deadly, costly medical problems, and improves your pet's behavior.

If you need financial assistance, MAPA can help offset the cost of spaying or neutering your pet.
Benefits of Spay/Neuter

Did you know that approximately 80% of dogs that are hit by cars are unaltered males? Sterilization of your pet can be done as early as 8 weeks of age, and has the following beneficial side effects:
  • Decreases escape attempts (because they’re not looking for a mate)
  • Decreases chances of ovarian cancer in female dogs
  • Decreases destructive behavior (chewing, scratching, etc.) out of frustration
  • Decreases spraying by male cats
  • Decreases fighting in cats
  • Female cats won’t disturb neighbors by howling/moaning
VOUCHER PROCEDURE

If your annual income is $35,000 or less and you live in Montrose County or the Norwood area, you are eligible for MAPA spay/neuter assistance. Voucher amounts vary depending on the type of animal. The voucher program is dependent on grants, and is only possible if funds are available. To apply for a voucher:

1. Contact the veterinarian of your choice to schedule the spay/neuter procedure.

2. The veterinary clinic will bill MAPA for the face value of the voucher. You are responsible for paying the balance directly to the vet clinic.

Events & Activities

MAPA has several events and activities each year which draw attention to our animal friends.
Trivia Night

Every Spring, MAPA hosts a Trivia Night. Each table forms a team to answer questions about books, sports, history, movies, and more. Prizes are awarded to the winning team. The next Trivia Night will be in the Spring of 2010. The cost is $10 per person. Click here for details about our last Trivia Night (April 2009).
City Market Cares

A community fundraising program. Sign up your Value Card and a percentage of all your purchases is donated to MAPA (at no cost to you)!
Santa Paws

Each December at Murdoch's, you can purchase a picture of your pet(s) with Santa! Great for gift giving!

Education

For Kids

new kitten Spay/Neuter Presentation for Elementary/Middle School Students

MAPA offers a 45-minute interactive presentation to local students (3rd through 6th grades) about the importance of caring for their dogs and cats. We discuss how animals help in our community, what the city shelter is, why animals end up in the shelter (and what happens to some of them there), and the benefits and importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. The students are given the option to participate in a contest which raises money to pay for a spay/neuter operation for a Montrose animal in need.

Each year in Colorado, many thousands of puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats are killed due to pet overpopulation. MAPA is working to educate Montrose residents about this problem and about the solution of pet sterilization. We feel that our greatest influence on the community is by reaching our children at a young age, when they are forming their opinions about what animals are and how they should be treated. We also aspire to reach the parents through the students.

If you would like MAPA to give this presentation to your class, please contact Wendy at 970-249-2560 or montrosepets@yahoo.com to schedule a convenient time. We will provide handouts for the students along with the interactive presentation.

For Adults

Our Adult Education classes are held during the Spring and Fall in the conference room at the Montrose Animal Shelter (3383 N Townsend Ave.). Classes are announced in the Montrose Daily Press newspaper. Topics include:
  • First Aid for Cats & Dogs
  • Dog Behavior - Addressing Behavior Problems
  • Cat Behavior - Addressing Behavior Problems
  • Traveling with Pets, Dogs in Cars, & Other Safety Tips
  • Caring for an Aging Pet
  • Choosing a Pet
  • Dog Behavior - Basic Commands
  • Grooming
  • Therapy/CCI Dogs - Certification Process, etc.
  • Interactive Session with a Veterinarian
  • Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness

Are you prepared for a... Fire? Flood? Chemical spill? Blizzard? What if you were separated from your animals during an evacuation? What if you and your animals were stranded? Click here for important information on how to prepare your animals for a disaster! (This information was provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association.)