A group of dedicated Rhode Island animal advocates has been desperately attempting to once again be allowed into Providence Animal Control (PAC), 200 Terminal Road, Providence, RI to volunteer with the shelter animals at that facility.  This group includes volunteers who volunteered at PAC for decades, local rescue organizations who transferred hundreds of PAC animals into their rescue entities prior to the COVID 19 pandemic.  At the onset of the pandemic all municipalities made the difficult decision to close their shelters to volunteers and the public, rightfully so, to ensure the safety of their staff.

It is currently August 2024 and other Rhode Island shelters are open to the public and welcome the assistance of volunteers in caring for the animals housed at their facilities.  PAC continues to deny access to dedicated and experienced volunteers to assist in the promotion for adoption and mental enrichment to the dogs in their care.  The public is allowed into their facility by appointment only and many of the adoptable animals are not promoted on social media, so potential adopters do not even know they exist.  This gross oversight results in the unnecessary suffering of the animals, namely dogs, in their care.  PAC Director, Erika Cole, has admitted they are too short staffed to get the dogs out of their kennels for much-needed breaks from kenneled life.

It is basic animal welfare practice to ensure that animals are minimally given time, ideally daily, outside of their kennel.  In fact, the city’s contracted dog trainer, has also reached out to this group of volunteers imploring them to continue to try and be granted permission to assist with the dogs at PAC because they are overwhelmed and not able to provide proper enrichment and promotion of the animals for adoption.   Animals that are not socialized properly or spend undo hours in an unnatural environment like a shelter kennel, develop behaviors that are not only undesirable to potential adopters, but also can, in some cases, result in an animal being deemed aggressive, non-adoptable, and resulting in their euthanasia.  DEM’s public records show an increase in the percentage of dogs being euthanized at PAC compared to years past and to other shelters in Rhode Island.

The same group of former volunteers and rescues have sent letters to the Police Department, who oversee the shelter, the Mayor’s Office, City Council members, and media contacts in the hopes that someone will assist them in assisting the animals currently residing at PAC.  There have been no responses to these repeated requests.  We are imploring the public to help.  At this point in time, this group of dedicated individuals believe the only course of action to facilitate change is public outcry and Rhode Island’s residents demand for accountability as to what is happening to the animals housed at Providence Animal Control.

 There are several people wanting to volunteer and are constantly rejected - so their excuse of LACK OF PEOPLE doesn't hold true - it's her decision NOT TO HAVE VOLUNTEERS in that facility.   Please Sign this PETITION So we can get some results, as these animals rely on our VOICE for help and it's sad to say so many have been put down unnecessarily!