Irene Kilbane trapped her first feral cat in 2007 as a favor to a friend.  That cat was neutered and rehomed responsibly.  But he was not the only cat around this small Northwestern Colorado town that had become a problem, in fact the high population of stray and feral cats in Meeker had found its way onto the town meeting agenda in previous years.  In 2009 Irene started the Meeker Cat Coalition, a 501C3 non-profit, which allowed her to begin to apply for, and receive grants.  Irene has also obtained a state PACFA shelter license making her operation completely legitimate.  

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Today, Irene's residence boasts the Wild West Kitty Kingdom cattery.  A safe place for stray, abandoned, or relinquished cats to reside and get the medical care they need before being rehomed or returned to their owners.  Irene is committed to help solve Meeker's feral and stray cat overpopulation problem through the humane use of traps, known as TNR.  She sees that the cats are spayed or neutered, and receive their shots, before they are returned to their owners or relocated.  In doing so, she provides a vital community service to the Meeker area.

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When she is not home, volunteers take care of the cattery and its residents.  Irene also works as an RN at the local hospital and is a caregiver to a friend who lives with her. Her friend is one of four volunteers and specializes in making the cattery residents feel loved.