Mission - Potter League For Animals

As the heart of a compassionate community, we enrich lives and promote the humane treatment of animals.

Our Values Drive Our Work

The Potter League for Animals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promote, protect and advance the well-being of Rhode Island’s companion animals. As the most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state, we impact more than 10,000 companion animals each year. For more than 90 years we have been committed to service the needs of the people and animals in the Rhode Island community and across New England as a 4-star Charity Navigator rated nonprofit ranking in the top 1% nationally.

Our Mission

As the heart of a compassionate community, we enrich lives and promote the humane treatment of animals.

How We Pursue Our Mission

We shelter unaccompanied companion animals and place them in safe and healthy homes.
We educate the community to embrace humane principals and provide the best care for their pets.
We provide community support programs which help all pet owners provide better lives for their pets.
We expand access to essential veterinary care for companion animals.

Our Commitment to the Animals

We are here for all animals.

The Potter League Animal Care and Adoption Center located in Middletown, RI is an “open admission” shelter which is able to help as many pets as possible.

We provide support to communities and families through our broad range of programs and services, including the Potter League Spay Neuter Clinic, located in Warwick RI, which performs over 7,500 subsidized surgeries on dogs and cats in RI and neighboring communities in CT & MA. We provide low-cost veterinary care to over 3,500 income-qualifying Rhode Islanders at the Pets In Need Veterinary Clinic located in Riverside, RI.

Our commitment to all animals means we are willing to pursue all reasonable efforts in order to provide for their well-being. We are the community’s animal care and resource center.

Our Values & Philosophy

We are guided by these values and beliefs:

Animals’ lives have intrinsic value.
Relationships between animals and people enhance animals’ lives and enrich the human experience.
Everyone should have the opportunity to form and sustain relationships with companion animals.
Relationships between animals and people must be founded upon respect, kindness and compassion.
All people are obliged to meet the standards of the Five Freedoms for all animals in their care.
We achieve impact through tangible action to care for animals.

In order to be a true “shelter” we must keep the doors open for any animal in our service area that needs our help. Our mission is simple — to care for all. There is no magic or quick solution to the problems of unwanted animals. The Potter League is committed to always look for new ways to increase adoptions, keep animals in their homes and decrease euthanasia. Our multi-faceted community outreach is aimed at education and prevention and our programs reflect this:

Animals are spayed and neutered prior to adoption, and we offer financial assistance to help others sterilize their dogs and cats.
Dog obedience programs and a behavior help line are provided for all animals and their guardians.
We work on statewide legislation to benefit animals.
We are heavily invested into providing funds for medical care for our sick, elderly, or injured animals. Foster programs continually expand to provide temporary care and health or behavior rehabilitation.
When space allows, we gladly work with other shelters to transfer their adoptable animals to the Potter League to insure more animals find homes.
The Potter League believes in working collaboratively with many other organizations.

Our doors are opened to all unwanted animals in Rhode Island and beyond – the ill, the aged, the dangerous, the badly behaved and the unappealing as well as the highly adoptable animals. We have great concern over what might happen to those deemed less desirable if we close our doors to these animals. Would they suffer as strays on the street after being abandoned? All unwanted animals deserve compassionate handling and a fair chance for a good life… and they will receive it here at the Potter League for Animals.

Statement On Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Potter League supports equity, justice and inclusion within the animal welfare industry and the communities that we serve. We strive to empower a diverse team of volunteers, staff, Board Members, and community partners in an environment that supports our differences while promoting the humane treatment of animals and providing equitable access to pet ownership and services.