Links & Resources
Links & Resources for People Who Care About Cats
National Organizations
- ASPCA – The ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Their mission, as stated by the founder, Henry Bergh, in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”
- The Humane Society of the United States – the nation’s largest animal protection organization, backed by 11 million Americans. They work to reduce suffering and improve the lives of all animals by advocating for better laws; investigating animal cruelty; encouraging corporations to adopt animal-friendly policies; conducting disaster relief and animal rescue; and providing direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries, emergency shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.
Local Organizations
To find organizations in your area, Google your town and state, plus animal shelters or animal rescue.
You may also want to look in your phone book. Animal shelters are called by a variety of names, so look in the Yellow Pages under listings such as “animal shelter,” “humane society,” or “animal control.” Public animal care and control agencies are often listed under the city or county health department or police department.
Finally, you may also wish to contact The HSUS Regional Office that serves your state. Because regional offices cover specific geographic areas, staff there are likely to be familiar with humane organizations in your community.
Some National Resources for Locating a Local Shelter
Rhode Island Organizations
- Potter League for Animals – an “open admission” shelter in Newport County. Approximately 2,000 lost, abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals find comfort at the shelter each year.
- Providence Animal Rescue League – a non-profit organization (501c3) serving communities throughout Rhode Island and beyond. For almost a century PARL has been the haven for hundreds of thousands of unwanted, neglected and abused animals.
- Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – The RISPCA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 15 members who serve without compensation. The Society was the first humane organization in Rhode Island and the 3rd oldest humane organization in the United States. At 140 years old, they are the only non-profit animal rescue organization in the state of Rhode Island that is legally able to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases. The RISPCA is not affiliated with the ASPCA or its donations, the RISPCA relies solely on community support from friends and businesses.
- Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA) – a Rhode Island non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt humane organization established in 1979 and the first organization in the United States dedicated to helping cats and dogs in municipal animal shelters.
- Warren (Rhode Island) Animal Shelter – Animal Control Officer, Heidi Garrity, does her best to care for and find homes for adoptable pets from this shelter and other over-crowded shelters. Zeus & Nike were adopted from the Warren Animal Shelter.
Cat Magazines
- Cat Fancy – a popular North American monthly magazine dedicated to cats, owners of cats, and breeders of cats for more than 40 years.
- Cats USA – an annual guide for buyers of purebred kittens.
- Kittens USA – This annual publication includes information about how to find a kitten, get your home ready and basic care and nutrition tips.
- Natural Cat – This magazine is published periodically on the flip side of CAT FANCY, and is dedicated exclusively to natural care for cats. It is a guide to all aspects of natural care—including nutrition, lifestyle, disease prevention and alternative treatments that complement traditional veterinary care.