Greetings!
Here in Rhode Island the intensity of the demand for our services and the degree to which that demand is unmet can seem overwhelming, but the Rhode Island SPCA continues to expand its services to protect and care for these animals. I am proud of the work we do to broaden our outreach to the community. Along the way, there have been several people and moments that have buoyed my spirits and, in anticipation of the holiday season, I would like to share two of them with you.
First, let me introduce you to Russ Shabo. Russ is the president of Friends of Animals in Need, a fellow non-profit charitable organization that provides funding for veterinary care to financially challenged pet owners. Because both our organizations each assist pet owners with required veterinary procedures through the help of grant funding, often times the pet owner is asked to provide the same information to each of them. Russ and I felt that a change in approach was needed and he readily and enthusiastically agreed to work with the RISPCA. Friends of Animals in Need now authorizes grants from our Marvin Fund concurrent with their grants. The net result is that grant recipients no longer have to make two calls to tell the same story – saving time and frustration. Russ demonstrates his love for animals by the work he does, which he does on a purely volunteer basis, and he is universally respected in the animal welfare community. Through the gift of his time and talent and his willingness to reach across organizational barriers to support companion animals and their owners in need, Russ sets a high standard that is an inspiration to me and, I hope, to others in the animal welfare community.
Second, as I sit here writing this, I am delighted to report that we have successfully placed most of the large animals that were seized from a farm in North Kingstown in June in conjunction with an animal cruelty arrest into comfortable homes and that placements for the rest of them are in process. The assistance we received from the “horse community” through which we were able to secure low or no cost care for these animals while they were being rehabilitated and prepared for permanent placements was critical to our success and has been heartwarming. The RISPCA spent nearly $40,000 to cover the cost of feed and veterinary care for these animals but that cost would have been significantly greater had we not benefitted from the support of several experienced large animal owners who volunteered to provide foster care or low cost boarding for these animals. I am grateful to them and as I enter into the holiday season I am encouraged to know that community support is available to sustain our efforts.
Please enjoy the holiday season safely. I am thankful for your support in 2022 and am looking forward to 2023 with excitement.
Warm regards,
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Wayne M. Kezirian, Esq.
President and General Agent
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*Holiday Pet Photos & Donation Drive* ~ Dec. 10 |
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Please join us on Saturday, Dec. 10th from 11am - 2pm at the Rumford Pet Express in East Providence for a holiday photo shoot and donation drive.
Pup Portraits RI photographer, Denise, will be there to take pictures of you and your pets with a festive holiday backdrop. With a $25 donation you will receive a printed image and access to the digital library so that you can share with friends and family. Friskie Fries will also be on site for your enjoyment.
Our animals love the holidays just as much as we do! Help us "fill our truck" with items from our holiday wish list found here.
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Well, it has been almost three months since the Paws in the Park event in September and, as I mentioned might happen, my human didn’t let me attend. I think he hoped that slight would pass unnoticed, but it didn’t! I felt it important, not just for me but for all of dogkind, to demand respect, so I did. When my human got home and let me out to run in the back yard (which is fenced) I set my plan in motion. I immediately found the dirtiest, muddiest, smelliest part of the yard and began rolling in the muck. Take a look at the attached picture, which shows what I looked like when I was done. I had at least as much fun as the other dogs and their people had at Paws in the Park (which I heard was a great event) and had the satisfaction of knowing that it would take several baths for my human to wash the mud out of my coat. Maybe you will see me next year at Paws in the Park. I think I made my point and hope my human got the message…
It is hard to believe that the year is almost over and this year has been a lot different for me than last year was. I come to work every day and see just about everything that is going on. Without intending to brag, it is pretty clear that my presence helps to keep people calm and acts as an ice breaker at meetings (and I sure do go to a lot of meetings). I can’t really talk about all that went on at those meetings due to canine-human confidentiality, but I can say that there is a lot happening at the RISPCA and the progress of the new building is impressive. Cat and dog placements continue to be strong. Unfortunately, there have been an exceptional number of small animal seizures and surrenders. We currently have several really nice rabbits, a couple of chinchillas, dozens of domestic rats and mice along with our standard compliment of ferrets, hamsters and guinea pigs. If you know anyone who is interested in giving a small animal a good home, please encourage that person to contact the RISPCA.
Thanks for all you do!
Lily
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New Year. New Look. Same Mission.
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When our "Not Just a Shelter" building project opens in Warwick this spring, you're going to see a lot that's new -- bigger, better kennels, outdoor walking paths, indoor training and socialization areas, state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, and so much more!
But even though our look and location may be changing, our vital mission of protecting and caring for animals will stay the same. However, we cannot do this without YOU.
Please close out the year with a gift so you can help provide care to the next hurting or homeless animal.
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This month we are focusing on Joy for our shelter animals. Here are our Top 5 Wish List items that our animals would LOVE!
1.KONG extreme dog toys
2.Fleece blankets
3.Chew toy balls for bunnies
4.Apple sticks chews for guinea pigs
5.FireHose dog toss fetch toy
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Take Me Home for the Holidays! |
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Bingo is a true gem! Not only does he look like a cartoon character sure to get compliments on his unique looks, he's got a wonderful personality! Bingo is the full package who just wants all the loves in the world he can get! At five years old he's the perfect mix of playful and chill. He really enjoys his time out in our play yard where he'll do the zoomies until his heart's content. Being a hound, he LOVES to sniff his surroundings...He loves hikes and car rides and just exploring the world. Bingo is strong and has a low center of gravity, so a home with smaller children may not be the best fit. He would, however, probably do well in a home with older kids.
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Say hello to Coyote!
Coyote is a sweet Shepherd girl in need of a low-key, adults-only home. Coyote enjoys slow walks around the block and just hanging out on the couch. She's a sensitive girl that prefers the constant company of people to being alone, so having an owner that works from home would be ideal.
During Coyote's intake exam, she was found to have a limp that needed to be further explored. After having x-rays, it was discovered that she had suffered a broken femur at some point in her life, which ended up healing improperly. After multiple medical consults with the best of the best doctors, we have found the perfect place to be helping us with Coyote's surgery (which we will be covering the cost of).
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Thank You!
With Appreciation!
With Sincere Thanks!
We cannot begin to express our gratitude towards you, our donors, on this past #GivingTuesday! Because of you, we raised over $6500!! Thank you again for your generosity - it is inspiring!
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Happy Tails ~ Missy & Maggie |
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Missy was a VERY scared, VERY skittish cat who we thought was going to take FOREVER to adopt out. Thankfully the most wonderful people took a chance on her, and came back two months later to find her a friend. Missy immediately took Maggie (Zwartbles) under her wing and treats her like she is her own baby. She coos for her, grooms her, cuddles with her, and will even meow around the house to find her if they are apart.
274 animals were adopted this fall!
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We are the Rhode Island SPCA ~ There are many organizations throughout the country and the world that have “SPCA” and/or “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” as part of their name. We often hear from intended local donors who believed that they had made a donation to the Rhode Island SPCA but had mistakenly directed their donations to an unrelated organization. The Rhode Island SPCA is an independent organization and we are not affiliated with any other SPCA. If you find our work to be worthwhile and plan to support our efforts, please be sure that you direct your contribution to the Rhode Island SPCA. ~ Thank you for your support
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About the Rhode Island SPCA ~ Founded in 1870, the Rhode Island SPCA is the oldest humane organization in the state of Rhode Island and the third oldest in the United States. As a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations, and we are not affiliated with any national humane organization.
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Rhode Island SPCA | 186 Amaral Street, Riverside, RI 02915
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