A Historic Year for Animal Rescue Rhode Island Celebrating its 85th year with events and nostalgia. By Mark Berger
Beginning in 1938 with one woman who had an idea and a cause, Animal Rescue Rhode Island (ARRI) has blossomed into South County’s go-to destination for people looking for adoptable pets and pet-related services.
The shelter’s beginning is rather unique. The Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island began in 1934 when a group of concerned citizens from South Kingstown and Narragansett wanted to help stray pets in the community. The first membership dues were five cents each to help cover costs and ensure the animals would receive food and care. The group was led by Avis Quigley, a pioneer in her day, who was the area dog warden – considered then to be a “man’s job”. Through all of her hardships, Avis was fiercely passionate about the well-being of animals. She was known to say, “I don’t just look for great homes, but excellent ones.” She was a champion of humane education and would bring children to the shelter and educate the public on how to care for animals. She even adopted five dogs and 13 cats over the years!
Pets at ARRI come from owners unable to keep them, other in-state shelters that are full, and overcrowded shelters in the south. “Our facility houses up to 20 dogs and 35 cats at a time. In fact, we’ve saved more than 4,000 animals in just the last 12 years through our Bark and Ride transport program,” said Marcia Izzi, Board Chair. The staff works diligently to locate loving homes for all of them. All animals coming from out of state must spend five days in isolation, in accordance with state regulations. One such recent arrival was “Patches,” a six-monthold hound dog who was found to have a growth on his leg. It was determined to be melanoma. Patches received the necessary treatment, and his prognosis is very good. Despite the medical expenses climbing into the thousands of dollars, Izzi said it was the right thing to do. “ARRI goes to any length to make sure the pets in our care get everything they need for a second chance with a new family, ” she said. 70 Shop In RI
The initial facility was a barn owned by Avis, and that eventually became a small concrete shelter which was used for decades. Ten years ago, a capital campaign enabled ARRI to plan a new shelter, which opened in 2015 on Quigley’s original property. At the same time, its name was changed from Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island to Animal Rescue Rhode Island, reflecting its statewide connections. From its humble beginnings in a barn, ARRI now has a 7,000 sq.ft. state-of-the-art facility. Animal Rescue Rhode Island has a knowledgeable staff to lend their support and answer any questions. “We see ourselves as an animal welfare organization that operates a shelter,” said Liz Skrobisch, Executive Director. “In addition to adoptions, ARRI also runs other very active programs as we have become a resource to the broader RI community. Our community pet pantry, which relies on donations and is run by volunteers, provides pet food across the state to pet owners experiencing financial challenges. Last year, we provided more than 50,000 pet meals for at least 850 pets, with the goal of keeping those pets in homes