RI Foundation Gives $40,800 Grant To South Kingstown Animal Rescue

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $550,000 in grants to 24 animal welfare organizations across the Ocean State, including money for a rescue shelter in South Kingstown.

The Animal Rescue Rhode Island received $40,800 to provide specialized medical care for its shelter pets, purchase special sanitation equipment, support its humane education programs and supplement supplies for its community pet pantry.

"The new sanitation device will help prevent kennel cough, distemper and other transmissible diseases by disinfecting hard-to-reach areas of the facility such as diagnostic equipment, play areas and food prep rooms," rescue Executive Director Liz Skrobisch said in a statement. "That, in turn, keeps our animals healthier and ready to go to loving homes."

Through its humane education programs, collectively called ARRI Animal Scholars, the nonprofit is training volunteers to deliver humane education presentations statewide to schools, libraries, Scouts, and other youth programs.

"We are working to making our state a humane community, as pets are an integral part of so many families’ lives," Skrobisch said. "The aim of ARRI Animal Scholars is to spark empathy, share valuable information, and promote lasting relationships between people and animals. Additionally, our programs teach responsible animal care and character education."

Some other organizations receiving grants included Friends of Animals in Need in North Kingstown, PawsWatch in Warwick, the R.I. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in East Providence, the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island in North Kingstown and the Potter League for Animals, which has clinics in East Providence, Middletown and Warwick.

"These grants support the care of animals in shelters, underwrite veterinary services and subsidize spay and neuter procedures for pets owned by low-income households, as well as preparing shelter animals for adoption and delivering humane education," said Adrian Bonéy, program officer for the Rhode Island Foundation’s Program for Animal Welfare.