Organizations vary between open-admission municipal facilities and private, foster-based rescues that do not operate a public viewing kennel. Choosing where to adopt depends on whether you want to walk through on-site kennels or submit an application online before meeting dogs in private homes. Adoption fees, home visit requirements, and hold periods for stray animals differ significantly across locations.
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North Kingstown Animal Shelter
395 Hamilton Allenton Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852
Mon 9am-11am, Tue 2:30pm-4:30pm, Wed 9am-11am, Thu 2:30pm-4:30pm, Fri 9am-11am, Sat-Sun 9am-12:30pm
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Pet Refuge
500 Stony Ln, North Kingstown, RI 02852
Mon-Sat 11am-4pm
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Smith & Agli's Pottbelly Manor
401 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852
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Lone Acre Rescue Farm
30 Ellis Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852-1805
Warwick 4
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RI Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
155 Plan Way, Warwick, RI 02886-1011
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Rhode Home Rescue
1084 W Shore Rd, Warwick, RI 02889
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Save One Soul Animal Rescue League
Warwick, RI
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Scruffy Paws Animal Rescue
2944 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886-3161
Cranston 3
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EGAPL Heart of RI Animal Rescue League
44 Worthington Rd, Cranston, RI 02920-7940
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Tigersden Rescue
55 Caporal St, Cranston, RI 02910
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Cranston Animal Shelter
920 Phenix Ave, Cranston, RI 02921
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Providence Animal Shelter
200 Terminal Rd, Providence, RI 02905
Tue-Sat 11am-3pm
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Providence Animal Rescue League
34 Elbow St, Providence, RI 02903-4621
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Cat Adoption Team Services
585 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904-5722
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Animal Rescue Rhode Island
506 Curtis Corner Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879-2134
Mon-Thu 11am-6pm, Fri-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm
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South Kingstown Animal Shelter
132 Asa Pond Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879-1402
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Animal Rescue League
24 Salt Pond Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879-4304
Bristol 2
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Bristol Animal Shelter
10 Minturn Farm Rd, Bristol, RI 02809
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A Dog's Life RI
36 Spring St, Bristol, RI 02809
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ADRI Adoption Center & Pet Services
29 Paris Irons Rd, Glocester, RI 02857
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The Abandoned Dogs of RI
29 Paris Irons Rd, Glocester, RI 02857
Johnston 2
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PawsWatch at the Community Cat Center
39 Putnam Pike, Johnston, RI 02919
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2 Hands 4 Paws
1500 Atwood Ave Ste 4, Johnston, RI 02919-3227
Lincoln 2
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Cumberland/Lincoln Animal Control, RI
25 Wellington Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865-4411
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Scituate Animal Shelter
106 George Washington Hwy, Lincoln, RI 02865-4217
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West Warwick Animal Shelter
106 Hay St, West Warwick, RI 02893
Mon-Thu 9am-3:30pm, Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, Sun 9am-3:30pm
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Rhode Island Parrot Rescue
173 Washington St, West Warwick, RI 02893
Westerly 2
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Westerly Animal Shelter
33 Larry Hirsch Ln, Westerly, RI 02891
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Stand Up For Animals
33 Larry Hirsch Ln, Westerly, RI 02891-2789
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
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Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary
266 Mendon Rd, Woonsocket, RI 02895
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Woonsocket City Animal Shelter
9 Cumberland Hill Rd, Woonsocket, RI 02895
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Burrillville Animal Shelter
131 Clear River Dr, Burrillville, RI 02830
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Scituate Animal Shelter
106 George Washington Hwy, Clayville, RI 02815-1127
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The Hotel For Homeless Dogs * New England Humane Society
44 Martin St, Cumberland, RI 02864-5335
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East Greenwich Animal Protection League
4302 Post Rd, East Greenwich, RI 02818-4203
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EP Animal Control
62 Commercial Way, East Providence, RI 02914
Exeter 1
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Exeter Animal Shelter
169 S County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822
Greene 1
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Milk Thistle Farm
847 Victory Hwy, Greene, RI 02827-1616
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Pottery Paradise
155 Barnes Rd, Harrisville, RI 02830-1885
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Canine Behavioral Services
81 Skunk Hill Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02832-1210
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Hopkinton Animal Control
395 Woodville Rd B, Hopkinton, RI 02833
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Potter League for Animals
87 Oliphant Ln, Middletown, RI 02842-4665
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Friends of the North Providence Animal Shelter
900 Smithfield Rd, North Providence, RI 02904
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Welcome Pastures Thoroughbred Aftercare
459 Snake Hill Rd, North Scituate, RI 02857-2926
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Friends of The North Smithfield Animal Shelter
281 Quaker Hwy, North Smithfield, RI 02896
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Pawtucket Animal Shelter
401 Newport Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02861
Richmond 1
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Richmond Animal Control
51 Buttonwoods Rd, Richmond, RI 02898
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Rispca
186 Amaral St, Riverside, RI 02915-2223
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Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Of Rhode Island
2865 Tower Hill Rd, Saunderstown, RI 02874-3613
Warren 1
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Warren Animal Shelter
80 Wood St, Warren, RI 02885-2519
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West Greenwich Animal Control
280 Victory Hwy, West Greenwich, RI 02817
Also in Rhode Island
- Dog Boarding Facilities43
- Dog Trainers37
- Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers27
- Dog Parks & Off-Leash Areas23
- Indoor Dog Parks6
Good to know
What is the difference between an animal shelter and a rescue organization?
Shelters typically operate a physical facility that houses stray or surrendered animals directly on site. Rescue organizations are often run by volunteers using network foster homes, meaning animals live in private residences until adoption.
How much does it typically cost to adopt a dog?
Adoption fees typically range from $50 to $350 depending on the organization and the age of the dog. Puppies usually carry higher fees, while standard fees generally include spay or neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, and a microchip.
Can I bring my current dog to meet a potential rescue dog?
Most organizations require or strongly encourage a controlled meet-and-greet between your existing dog and the rescue dog before finalizing an adoption. Staff or foster parents usually facilitate this interaction on neutral ground at the facility or a local park.
How long is a dog in heat?
A dog's heat cycle typically lasts for several weeks, averaging about three weeks in total. During this period, female dogs should be kept away from communal spaces across Rhode Island to avoid accidental breeding. Owners can explore 51 dog parks in Rhode Island to plan future visits once the cycle ends.
How long does a dog stay in heat?
Female dogs usually stay in heat for about three weeks, during which they can attract male dogs from significant distances. To ensure safety, restrict outdoor play to private, fully fenced yards throughout Rhode Island. Our guide lists 51 dog parks in Rhode Island for safe exercise options after the heat cycle completes.