Inside the Potter League for Animals: More Than An Animal Shelter
For nearly a century, the Potter League for Animals has been dedicated to animal welfare, providing a safe haven for abandoned and mistreated animals across Rhode Island. Founded in 1929 by three women, Virginia Potter, Mary van Beuren, and Emma Norman, the organization was originally named the Newport County League for Animals. Its first shelter opened in 1931 on Harrington Street in Newport. Today, its Animal Care & Adoption Center sits on roughly seven acres on Oliphant Lane in Middletown, RI.
Beyond the adoption center, the organization also operates the Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic in Warwick and the Potter League Pets In Need Veterinary Clinic in Riverside. Together, these three facilities make the Potter League one of the most comprehensive animal welfare organizations in the state.
Mission Statement"As the heart of a compassionate community, we enrich lives and promote the humane treatment of animals."
For another look at the animal welfare organizations that make Newport County special, see our Non-Profit Spotlight on West Place Animal Sanctuary in Tiverton, RI.
What the Potter League Does
The Potter League's work reaches well beyond adoption. Across its three facilities and its community programs, the organization provides direct care and services to help more than 13,000 animals in need across Rhode Island each year.
Here is a closer look at the range of that work:
- Keeping pets in their homes. The League works to keep animals with the families who love them by offering training, lost and found support, and behavioral guidance to the community.
- Sheltering surrendered and stray animals. When there is a need, the League provides shelter for owner-surrendered animals and for stray animals from Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, and Tiverton, the communities with which it holds animal control housing contracts.
- Placing companion animals in safe homes. The League works diligently to place companion animals into safe and healthy homes.
- Spaying and neutering before adoption. All dogs and cats are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. In addition, the Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic performs subsidized spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats, serving Rhode Island and some neighboring towns in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
- Providing a pet food pantry. The League offers a pet food pantry for families who need assistance caring for their pets.
- Offering temporary housing through Pet Safe. The Pet Safe program provides free, temporary housing for pets whose families are experiencing a crisis such as hospitalization or homelessness.
- Dedicating staff to animal well-being. The League employs a full-time veterinarian and two full-time behavioral care staff members dedicated exclusively to the care of shelter animals.
- Maintaining an open admission policy. As an "open admission" shelter, the League helps as many pets as possible, with no limit on how long an animal stays in its care.
- Advocating for animals. The League advocates for statewide legislation that works to improve animals' lives.
- Transferring adoptable animals. When space allows, the League transfers adoptable animals from other shelters, creating adoption opportunities for as many animals as possible.
Fun FactThe current facility was built in 2009 and holds a LEED Gold certification, an accreditation that rates a green building's energy use, indoor environmental quality, and water efficiency. That certification made it the first animal shelter in the country to receive this environmental recognition.
How You Can Help
The Potter League is an independent nonprofit and is not part of any national humane society. As a result, it raises all of its own funds, which makes community support essential to its operation.
There are several meaningful ways to get involved:
- Donate funds or wishlist items. Financial gifts and donations of pet supplies are both vital to the League's work. You can access Amazon and Chewy wishlists through the Potter League's Wishlists & Supplies page.
- Volunteer your time. You can assist with animal care and daily operations by volunteering with the Potter League.
- Become a foster care partner. Fostering provides temporary housing for animals that especially need more one-on-one care before finding a permanent home.
Did You Know?The Potter League for Animals has earned Charity Navigator's 4-star rating, ranking it in the top 1% of nonprofits in the country. Charity Navigator is one of the country's largest independent nonprofit evaluators.
A Century of Compassion in Rhode Island
For nearly 100 years, the Potter League has been making a difference in the lives of Rhode Island's animals. The League's work extends beyond adoption: it strengthens our community, supports families, and gives thousands of animals a second chance each year.
For buyers thinking about how a home fits every member of the household, pets included, our guide to dog-friendly homes in Newport County is a helpful companion read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Potter League for Animals located?
The Potter League's Animal Care & Adoption Center is located on roughly seven acres at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown, Rhode Island. The organization also operates the Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic in Warwick and the Potter League Pets In Need Veterinary Clinic in Riverside.
What does the Potter League for Animals do?
The Potter League provides direct care and services to help more than 13,000 animals in need across Rhode Island each year. Its work includes adopting out companion animals, sheltering owner-surrendered and stray animals, spaying and neutering, running a pet food pantry, and offering free temporary housing for pets through its Pet Safe program. The League also keeps pets in their homes through training, lost and found, and behavioral support, and it advocates for statewide legislation to improve animals' lives.
How can I help the Potter League for Animals?
Because the Potter League is an independent nonprofit that raises all of its own funds, community support is essential. You can donate funds or wishlist items through the League's Amazon and Chewy wishlists, volunteer your time to help with animal care, or become a foster care partner to provide temporary one-on-one care for animals that need it.
Homes By Connect: Giving Back Locally
At Homes By Connect, we believe strong communities are built through connection, compassion, and service. Organizations like the Potter League for Animals remind us how much a single nonprofit can do for the people and pets across Middletown, Newport County, and the wider Rhode Island community.
We are grateful for the chance to give back and to help shine a light on the local causes that make our region a better place to call home.
Local Impact MattersWhen we support local nonprofits like the Potter League, we invest in compassion, community, and second chances for the animals who depend on us, two-legged and four-legged neighbors alike.
Learn More & Get Involved
To learn more about the Potter League for Animals, or to explore adoption, volunteer, foster, and donation opportunities, visit potterleague.org.
Read more about some of our favorite nonprofits on our Connect Cares page.
