2 Animal Welfare Groups In North Kingstown Secure Grant Funding

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $550,000 in grants to 24 animal welfare organizations across the Ocean State, including two in North Kingstown.

Friends of Animals in Need received $30,000 for its Veterinary Care Assistance Program. The nonprofit provides financial assistance for veterinary care for companion animals whose owners are financially challenged in an effort to prevent pets from being surrendered, abandoned or euthanized.

"Our goal is to keep people and their beloved pets together," said Russ Shabo. the nonprofit's executive director. "These are people whose pets are an integral part of their family life. In some cases, as with the elderly or widowed, their pets fill an emotional void by providing them with love, companionship, comfort and purpose."

The organization says the COVID-19 crisis and rising prices for basic necessities are making it difficult for many owners to continue caring for their pets. The grant will support services for an estimated 300 animals.

"With inflation being the highest it’s been in 40 years, these times are like no other for so many of us, especially for those living on fixed incomes," Shabo said. "The cost of groceries, gas and rent are at an all-time high, and with the cost of living out of sight, when a precious pet has medical issues in need of attention, it becomes increasingly more difficult to address them. These funds will go a long way in helping us be there for people whose pets are an important part of their daily life."

The Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island received $29,000 to purchase diagnostic, lab, monitoring and anesthesia medical equipment for its new surgical suite. The organization cares for approximately 6,200 wild birds and animals from across the state a year.

"The main objective is to be able to provide all facets of lifesaving, quality medical procedures and care to all wild species, thereby increasing the chance for survival following injury or illness," said Kristin Fletcher, the nonprofit's executive director. "Expanding treatment options for wild patients of all species will give us the capacity to address a much wider range of medical conditions and issues."

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.