“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.””

Adrian Bonéy

Uses include low-cost vet care for pets of low-income households, preparing animals for adoption and rehabilitating wildlife

 Two Warwick animal welfare organizations are among 24 nonprofits that will share $550,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation. The funding will support a range of services including providing reduced-cost veterinary care for pets of low-income households, preparing animals for adoption and rehabilitating injured wildlife.

“Our grants are where the generosity of our donors and the dedication of animal welfare organizations meet,” said Adrian Bonéy, program officer for the Foundation’s Program for Animal Welfare (PAW). “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.”

 PawsWatch received $40,000 to support medical care, including spay and neutering services and medications; for approximately 460 free-roaming cats as part of its statewide trap, neuter and return program. The organization reports treating more than 1,000 cats at its Community Cat Center medical clinic so far this year.

 “The beneficiaries are the stray, feral and abandoned cats and kittens as well as the people in the community who feed and care for the colonies but cannot afford to get them veterinary care. As an added bonus, once the male cats have been neutered; the fighting, yowling at night and other neighborhood nuisance issues subside, creating a better quality of life for all,” said Nancy Pottish, a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.

 The Potter League for Animals’ Spay Neuter Clinic received $30,000 to subsidize the cost of the medical procedures for pet owners with low incomes. In the past year, the clinic performed spay or neuter surgeries on 3,764 carts and 1,984 dogs, which the organization reports are substantially higher than last year.

“We care for pets from all over Rhode Island. We believe every animal deserves access to veterinary care,” said Brad Sheer, executive director. “The demand for care continues to expand for many reasons, including increased public awareness of our services, an increase in referrals from private veterinary practices, and increasing financial need of owners. By supporting pet owners with the greatest need, they are not forced to make difficult decisions about paying for veterinary care over other necessities or relinquishing pets due to their inability to pay.”

 Also receiving grants are Animal Rescue Rhode Island, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Coyote Smarts, the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, Foster Parrots, Friends of Central Falls Animals, Friends of the Scituate Animal Shelter, Historic New England, Mystic Aquarium, Norman Bird Sanctuary, the Pawtucket Animal Shelter, the Providence Animal Rescue League, the RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation, Scruffy Paws Animal Rescue, Stand Up for Animals, Ten Lives Cat Rescue, the Westerly Animal Shelter, Vintage Pet Rescue, the West Place Animal Sanctuary and The Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island.

 Comprised of 13 special funds that relate to the humane treatment and protection of animals, PAW enables the Foundation to support the work of animal welfare groups statewide. Grants are for projects or programs that have a positive impact locally or statewide on animal care, education about the humane treatment of animals and animal welfare in general.

 The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $98 million and awarded $76 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2021. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.