March 28, 2024

East Providence nonprofits win $54,000 in grants for animal care

Posted

East Providence, RI – Two East Providence nonprofits are among the organizations that will share $480,000 in grants for animal welfare services across Rhode Island. The grants will fund everything from low-cost vet care for the pets of needy owners to shelter for sick or injured animals.

“The generosity of our donors and the commitment of our partners are expanding humane education, increasing awareness and improving the quality of animal care in Rhode Island,” said Adrian Bonéy, who oversees the Foundation’s Program for Animal Welfare (PAW). “Their work is producing new approaches to animal welfare and increasing the number of animals receiving direct care across Rhode Island.”

PAW funds organizations that promote and provide humane treatment of animals or work more generally on the welfare of animals. Grants are for projects or programs that have a positive impact locally or statewide on animal care, education about the humane treatment of animals and animal welfare in general.

The Pets in Need Veterinary Clinic in East Providence received $31,500 for vaccines and surgical supplies, including anesthesia, oxygen, IV catheters and antibiotics. The clinic treated nearly 3,000 animals last year.

“Our goal is provide necessary surgical treatment and wellness care for pets of low-income owners. We want to provide as many life-saving surgical procedures as we can and keep these animals in loving homes,” said Hank Wietsma, the clinic’s chief veterinarian and executive director.

The Rhode Island Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) in East Providence received $22,500 for professional training and certification education for animal control officers and to provide temporary shelter for pets whose owners are disabled veterans, victims of domestic abuse, hospitalized because of illness or individuals with substance use disorder who are seeking treatment.

“These situations are heartbreaking. While owners never want to live apart from their pets, they recognize that they are currently not able to provide for them. Our goal is to give owners an option other than permanently giving up their pets,” said Ernest Finocchio, RISPCA president.

PAW is funded with assistance from the Virginia B. Butler Fund, Abbie A. Brougham Memorial Fund, Ginger, Sheba and Susie Carr Fund, Chariho Westerly Animal Rescue League Animal Welfare Fund, Mary Lou Crandall Fund, Julius and Lena DelPapa Memorial Fund, John Richard Duhamel Fund for Animals, Jeanne Marie Mehmed Fund, Vernon and Mary Pierce Fund, Helen Walker Raleigh Animal Fund, Ilon Sillmon/Sara Andrews Endowment Fund, Vinny Animal Welfare Fund and Dawn, Gregg and Leland Weingeroff Animal Fund.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town