THURSDAY, August 20, 2026|
Photo – Pet Partners representative pose with city employees – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The City of Rawlins recognized Pet Partners of Carbon County with its monthly service award.
Every month, the Rawlins Volunteer Committee selects a person or organization to honor for their service to the city. During Tuesday evening’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Volunteer Committee member Fire Chief Allen Robinson announced that Pet Partners of Carbon County was chosen to receive the August Community Builder Award.
Pet Partners of Carbon County is a nonprofit animal rescue that cares for stray and feral cats and runs the county’s trap, neuter, and release program. Margaret Quintrall serves at the organization’s president.
Lieutenant Daria Hooper, who oversees the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, said Pet Partners has played a significant role in animal welfare across the city and county since its establishment in 2005 by Linda Russell. Lieutenant Hooper explained that the nonprofit rescue initially handled all types of animals, not just cats, and helped establish the city’s current animal shelter.
As the needs of the community changed, so did the priorities of Pet Partners of Carbon County. Lieutenant Hooper said the organization refocused its efforts toward feral and stray cats several years ago. Through its trap, neuter and release program, Hooper said Pet Partners has worked to humanely reduce and manage the county’s cat population.
Lieutenant Hooper reported that Pet Partners cared for 254 cats and kittens in 2022, followed by 330 in 2023. The following year, 2024, the organization assisted 258 and in 2025 it assisted 373. So far this year, it has cared for more than 155 cats and kittens.
Lieutenant Hooper said the animal rescue’s members have served the community for over 20 years, a fact she described as even more remarkable because they are all unpaid.
Lieutenant Hooper said Pet Partners of Carbon County exemplifies the spirit of the Community Builder Award, seeing a need and improving the community without expecting recognition in return. She said the nonprofit rescue also helps the city by taking the responsibility for caring for feral cats away from the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter.
Every Community Builder Award winner receives a plaque and $100 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. Unsurprisingly, the Pet Partners representatives chose to give their prize money to Pet Partners of Carbon County.
