$636,000 in grants awarded to support animal welfare in Rhode Island
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
January 15, 2026
Leah Crowley
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — In an effort to improve the lives of animals across the state, the Rhode Island Foundation is awarding $636,000 in grants to support adoption programs, help low-income households pay for veterinary care and more.
The foundation announced that it would be awarding grants to more than two dozen local animal welfare nonprofits and programs.
According to the foundation, donors have established multiple funds related to animal welfare which collectively make up its Program for Animal Welfare (PAW).
Organizations receiving grants gathered Thursday at the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) in Warwick for the announcement.
"In just the past five years, we've awarded more than $2.7 million in grants to support your work," Rhode Island Foundation President David Cicilline said as he addressed the group. "We consider what you do really important. Animal welfare grants actually reach much further than what seems obvious to most people."
Cicilline pointed out that pets help keep people healthy too.
"Many of the programs we're funding today will provide subsidized pet services that will help keep pets and owners healthy and together," Cicilline explained. "The delight that pets bring to our lives carries over into our own health and wellbeing."
The largest grant of $72,000 was awarded to the Potter League for Animals which will use the money to subsidize veterinary care at its center in Middletown and its spay and neuter clinic in Warwick.
Rhode Island Pet Network also received $11,230 for its veterinary financial aid program that helps pet owners in need.
"Many individuals and families are forced to choose between their own stability and the well-being of the animals that they love," R.I. Pet Network Executive Director Jordan Bouclin noted. "We work tirelessly to ensure that that choice is never necessary."
"Many individuals and families are forced to choose between their own stability and the well-being of the animals that they love," R.I. Pet Network Executive Director Jordan Bouclin noted. "We work tirelessly to ensure that that choice is never necessary."
According to Bouclin, the money will help families avoid having to surrender their pets and prevent pet owners from having to euthanize their beloved animals because they can't pay for life-saving treatments or surgery.
The RISPCA received $23,316 to create a new pet adoption program called "Seniors for Seniors" that will pair adults over the age of 65 with older pets in need of a home.
"Loneliness among senior citizens is a significant public health concern, and that leads to an increased risk of heart disease, depression and cognitive decline," RISPCA President Todd Cramer said. "Many of our seniors are trying to combat this by having a pet, but they’re concerned that they'll outlive the pet … so this grant will help us match senior pets, who are often harder to place, with senior citizens."
The program will also help subsidize veterinary costs to help seniors care for their pets.
Some of the grants are focused on education. Animal Rescue Rhode Island in South Kingstown received $56,250 to both bolster their pet food pantry and educate students on how to treat animals humanely.
The following organizations will also receive grants:
During her speech, Bouclin noted that with high costs of living, more people are struggling to look after their pets.
"Demand for our program has grown rapidly," Bouclin said. "Between 2024 and 2025, requests for our financial assistance has grown by nearly 200%, and so far this year, we’re seeing record numbers of requests for help."
She underscored the impact the grants will have on organizations like R.I. Pet Network.
"It means everything to us," Bouclin said. "It is really going to have an immediate and impactful difference."
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