History

The history of our organization reveals that what can be achieved in a day, a year, a decade, or nearly a century is not the work of one organization, but rather the work of an entire community of people who have come together over the years to provide a safe haven for all homeless creatures.

1929

The Potter League for Animals was founded in 1929 under the name, “Newport County League for Animals” in order to take charge of abandoned, sick, lame, overworked or cruelly treated animals. The three woman founders, Virginia Potter, Mary van Beuren and Emma Norman were individuals of timeless vision.

1931

The League’s first shelter opened in 1931 on Harrington Street in Newport. In 1958, Virginia Potter died leaving a bequest upon the condition that the League be renamed in honor of her late husband, Robert Potter.

1978

In 1978, a facility was built in Middletown when the Newport shelter could no longer meet health department standards. In 1989 an addition provided much-needed office space and a multipurpose room allowing the League to increase programs to more fully realize our commitment to promote humane attitudes through community education.

2004

In 2004, our Board of Directors realized that it was most cost effective to replace our worn, outdated and inefficient 32 year old structure with a new state-of-the-art shelter and education resource center. A new state-of-the-art facility opened in November of 2008 with homelike housing which replaced the old concrete and wire fenced kennels. In the fall of 2009, the new Potter League was the first animal shelter in the country to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the US Green Building Council for our environmentally friendly design.

2019

In 2019, the Potter League for Animals acquired the Rhode Island Community Spay and Neuter Clinic, Rhode Island’s leading spay and neuter service provider. The clinic now operates under the name Potter League Spay and Neuter Clinic. The Clinic is committed to providing low-cost, high-quality and high-volume spay and neuter services to companion animals and feral cats. The clinic has performed over 60,000 surgeries since opening its doors in 2010.

2024

The Potter League for Animals proudly celebrated its 95th anniversary, marking nearly a century of service, evolution, and community partnership. This milestone honored the countless adopters, fosters, volunteers, donors, and advocates who have shaped the League’s story—and reaffirmed our commitment to meeting the changing needs of animals and the people who love them.

2026

Today, the Potter League continues to evolve beyond the traditional shelter model—focusing on prevention, access to care, education, and keeping pets and people together whenever possible. Guided by compassion, innovation, and community collaboration, we remain committed to enriching lives and strengthening the heart of a humane community for generations to come.