Excellent Dog Shelters in Rhode Island

In this article, we’ve listed 9 of the best dog shelters in Rhode Island for your convenience. Continue reading to learn about them.

1. Rhode Island SPCA (Riverside)

Based in Riverside, RI, the Rhode Island SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a non-profit organization that focuses on animal wellbeing and welfare. The Rhode Island SPCA was first established in 1870, making it one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the US. The organization runs a large animal shelter that houses over 100 animals each day.

Before being listed for adoption, all dogs are vaccinated, treated for fleas, ticks, and mites, de-wormed, tested for heartworm, and spayed/neutered. Once you adopt an animal, you are also eligible for a free veterinary examination at a selected location. Adoption fees are $400 for puppies and $225 for dogs. View the available pets here, or donate to the Rhode Island SPCA here.

2. Providence Animal Shelter (Providence)

The Providence Animal Shelter is a government-run shelter that cares for stray, abandoned, and surrendered pets. The team at the Providence Animal Shelter does everything they can to promote happy outcomes for their animals – some are returned to their families, others are transferred to rescue organizations, those requiring medical care are treated, and many are made available for adoption.

To adopt from the Providence Animal Shelter, you must be at least 18 years old. Smaller dogs (under 50 pounds) cost $240 to adopt, while larger dogs are $270. Puppies aged six months or under are available for $300. All available dogs have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, tested for heartworm, and de-wormed. View the available dogs here.

3. Pawtucket Animal Shelter (Pawtucket)

The Pawtucket Animal Shelter offers housing and care for pets across Pawtucket that are strays, have been abandoned, or cannot be cared for by their owners. Animals that cannot be reunited with their families or require new homes are housed at the shelter until they can be adopted.

All adoptable dogs have been spayed/neutered (as long as they are old and healthy enough), vaccinated, and examined by a veterinarian. Adoption fees are $15 plus a spay/neuter fee that ranges from $65 to $175. Adoptable dogs can be viewed here.

4. Cranston Animal Shelter (Cranston)

The Cranston Animal Shelter is home to stray pets, as well as homeless animals in need of adoption. While every effort is made to reunite stray animals with their families, animals that cannot be returned to their homes are available for adoption. Dogs at the Cranston Animal Shelter are fed, housed, medically examined, spayed/neutered, tested for heartworm, and vaccinated prior to adoption.

Adoption fees are $200 for male dogs and $250 for female dogs, and the Cranston Animal Shelter does accept out-of-state adoptions. If you’re interested in adopting, you can view the Cranston Animal Shelter’s available dogs here.

5. Lincoln Animal Shelter (Lincoln)

The Lincoln Animal Shelter (located in Lincoln, RI) takes in stray dogs, cats, and other pets and attempts to reunite them with their families. They also accept pets from owners who can no longer care for them, and look after these animals until they can be adopted into loving new homes. If you are considering adopting a dog, view the available pets online at the Lincoln Animal Shelter. You can then make an appointment to meet any dogs you’re interested in at the shelter. You can also learn more about the Lincoln Animal Shelter here.

6. Bristol Animal Shelter (Bristol)

The Bristol Animal Shelter provides housing and care for pets that are homeless, abandoned, abused, or sick. Based in Bristol, RI, this shelter takes in animals in need and either reunites them with their owner or readies them for adoption into a new home. They provide both standard and emergency medical care for the pets they are looking after and also strive to promote community education relating to responsible pet ownership.

The shelter opened a brand-new facility in 2014 that has more space to increase the comfort of the animals, separate rooms for isolation and quarantine, modern air purification systems, administrative areas, and an educational center. To adopt a dog from the Bristol Animal Shelter, you must be over 18 years old with a valid ID. The adoption fee for dogs is $250. View the available pets here, or donate to the Bristol Animal Shelter here.

7. Westerly Animal Shelter (Westerly)

The Westerly Animal Shelter is a modern animal adoption center, shelter, and wellness clinic for pets. Based in Westerly, RI, the shelter cares for lost or abandoned pets and re-unites them with their owners or prepares them for life with a new family. They also work to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce pet overpopulation.

As well as offering animals for adoption, the Westerly Animal Shelter offers low-cost wellness clinics and microchipping services. All dogs listed for adoption have undergone a veterinary examination, been vaccinated and spayed/neutered, and come with an adoption fee of $150. View the available dogs here, or donate to the Westerly Animal Shelter here.

8. Potter League (Middletown)

The Potter League provides shelter for animals in need across Middletown, RI. As well as caring for stray animals, the Potter League also takes in pets that are brought in by owners who can no longer care for them. Each year, the Potter League cares for around 2,000 pets in need. Some animals are reunited with their owners, some are transferred to other shelters or rescue groups, and some are adopted into new homes.

As well as caring for animals and providing adoption services, the Potter League offers obedience training, behavioral support, and more. They also work with veterinary clinics to provide affordable spay/neuter surgeries. View the available dogs here, or donate to the Potter League here.

9. South Kingstown Animal Shelter (South Kingstown)

The South Kingstown Animal Shelter was established in South Kingstown in 1980. The shelter brings in stray, abandoned, or neglected animals from both the Narragansett and South Kingstown communities. The shelter has been improved and renovated in recent years to provide a better experience for the animals in their care.

If you’re interested in adopting from the South Kingstown Animal Shelter, you can complete an application online before viewing the available animals here. If any catch your eye, make an appointment for a meet-and-greet. You can also learn more about donating to the shelter here.

“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”