Go figure, the non-profit organization formed in 1978 that provides animal rescue services for East Greenwich that operated from a former Warwick animal hospital until last fall is now based in the Cranston Animal Hospital on Park Avenue in Cranston. And taking that a step further, both Tammy Flanagan, director of the East Greenwich Animal Protection League and her assistant, Karen Kalunian, are Warwick residents.

Flanagan aims to bring EGAPL back to Warwick. The site being eyed as the league’s future home is a vacant building on Post Road not too far from New England Institute of Technology. Flanagan is hopeful of leasing the building that would require extensive renovation.

But none of this would have been possible without Courtney A. Rebensdorf, V.V.M. who owns and operates the Cranston and Oaklawn Animal Hospitals.

“We can’t thank them enough,” Flanagan said. “If it wasn’t for them [Cranston Animal Hospital] we’d be gone.”

Flanagan and Rebensdorf connected when EGAPL was operating out of the former East Greenwich Animal Hospital that actually was in Cowesett in Warwick. Rebensdorf came to look at the property and, according to Flanagan, suggested she be in touch if Cranston Animal Hospital could assist. When the league was forced to leave the Warwick location, Flanagan got out Rebensdorf’s card and made a call. The league had a roof and a place to keep its dogs.

“So long as I had the room we were glad to help,” said Rebensdorf Tuesday.

The league is not charged to use hospital facilities. It pays a nominal amount to offset increased utility costs. On Tuesday the league housed 18 dogs in Cranston with the prospect of a half dozen more arriving this weekend from South Carolina. In addition, the league places dogs with volunteers who provide foster homes pending adoption.

Rebensdorf is impressed by the league’s operation, observing that members are at the facility at all times of day and night. She relates to the league’s mission to save and place dogs that would have otherwise been put down.

“That’s heartbreaking,” she said of the kill shelters in the south where many of the dogs come from. “I don’t know if that’s going to change unless the culture changes.”

The process of bringing dogs north and getting them rescued is lengthy and costly. Flanagan said after being saved by animal rescue groups in the south dogs must be quarantined for two weeks before they can be transported. She put transportation at $135. On top of that, there are often medical expenses that can boost the cost to $700. EGAPL charges $300 to adopt an adult dog and $500 for puppies so, in many instances, fees don’t cover costs. The league makes up the difference through donations and fundraising events. Also, explained Flanagan, volunteer groups in the south are a tremendous financial assistance.

While the Cranston facility is a wonderful location, Flanagan said it would be nice for the organization to have its own home. She envisions a place large enough to offer some related services such a grooming that would become a source of revenue.

The league has been searching for its own place for some time. It mounted a capital campaign with a goal of $150,000, raising about $29,000 to date. If the Post Road building becomes a reality, Flanagan anticipates additional funds will be needed for renovations.

Things have been financially tight. Flanagan said the league is accustomed to pinching pennies, but 2015 offered a bright spot in addition to having Cranston Animal Hospital put out the welcome mat.

“It was the first year we ended up in the black,” she said.

Now the next goal is for a home of their own while continuing to serve East Greenwich.