About Us

Our Vision for the Future

The Potter League for Animals is committed to Zero Tolerance of animal suffering and homelessness. As the heart of a humane community, we will lead an empowered citizenry who are the animals' best advocates. Together we will act with courage and compassion to address the root causes of animal abuse and overpopulation. We will create a place where animals are afforded justice and the same right as ourselves to inhabit this land and to live with dignity.

Our Mission Statement

The Potter League for Animals is a private non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals. To promote the humane treatment of all animals, we shelter and care for lost or unwanted companion animals, return them to their homes, place them into humane environments, or sensitively euthanize them. Through community education and the fostering of relationships between people and animals, we secure their future.

Our Commitment to the Animals

The Potter League chooses to remain an 'open admission' shelter in order to help as many pets as possible. We accept all owner surrendered animals brought to us from Newport County as well as all stray animals from the communities with which we have an animal control-housing contract.

In 2005/2006 we received 1,854 dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals at our facility. 88% of these dogs and 78% of these cats were adopted to new families or returned to their owners. The main reasons for euthanasia were behavior problems (including aggression) and medical problems. Our commitment to all animals means we are willing to pursue all reasonable efforts in order to provide for their well being.

Our Operating Philosophy

• Adoptable Dogs, cats and other small animals are healthy, friendly animals that are good candidates to be somebody's life-long companion.
• Potentially adoptable Animals aren't ready for new homes when they come to us but may be with a reasonable commitment of time, effort or medical care. We gladly make that commitment. These animals include those too young or too shy, those who are sick or injured, and those whose former environment didn't include acceptable behavior training.
• Unadoptable When an animal is felt to be suffering mentally, emotionally or physically with a poor prognosis, protracted painful recovery or incurable illness, or is deemed to pose an unacceptable danger to other animals, itself, or the public Euthanasia is often the most humane alternative for these animals

We also recognize the adoptability of animals in shelters may be impacted by the animal's temperament, previous history, age, breed, health, ability to cope with kennel stress, and our own foster care resources, human resources, budget, requirements ordered by the courts or animal control departments. Each animal is evaluated in its entirety; taking into account both behavior and medical conditions.

The Potter League offers animals a refuge, regardless of whether we believe that animal is "adoptable." Unlike "limited-admission" shelters, we do not turn animals away at the door. This means that we must make difficult euthanasia decisions. Because of the numbers of unwanted animals and the behaviors they exhibit, animals are euthanized. This is not a decision we make lightly. It is never a decision that is made without the utmost consideration for all of the factors. The euthanasia of any animal involves a difficult choice, requiring that each case be thoroughly evaluated on an individual basis.

The Pros and Cons of the No-Kill Shelters

The most generally accepted definition of a no-kill shelter means saving both healthy (adoptable) and treatable dogs and cats with euthanasia reserved for non-rehabilitable animals.

Not all shelters follow this definition and many have very different operating practices for their organization. Definitions of healthy, treatable, non-rehabilitable animals can vary from organization to organization. Unfortunately, the companion animal protection field lacks universally understood and agreed-upon terminology and definitions. The language can be confusing, and in almost all situations 'No' does not mean 'No' in the way the general public would expect. Animals are euthanized in most no-kill shelters.

To reduce euthanasia no-kill shelters must adopt one of the following practices:

• Reduced admission. Taking in only those animals for whom there is space - frequently the most likely to be adopted - is how most non-euthanasia shelters are able to operate.
  • Pro - Proponents say turning away some animals is preferable to taking the lives of the ones already sheltered.
  • Con - Opponents contend that organizations that refuse entry to animals most in need of help are not true 'shelters' and that these limited admission organizations are not meeting community needs - and simply shift euthanasia to shelters who take in all animals.
• High volume adoption and fostering. Some shelters attempt to reduce euthanasia by quickly and dramatically increasing adoptions and placing as many animals as possible into foster homes.
  • Pro - Proponents feel that by focusing on increasing the number of placements they can spare the lives of many homeless animals.
  • Con - Others caution that while getting more animals into responsible homes is an important goal, increasing quantity at the expense of quality is not good for the animals who may fall victim to poorly managed foster programs, loosely screened adoptions, and falling spay/neuter compliance rates.
• Indefinite confinement. While acknowledging that the ideal place for a companion animal is in a home, not a cage, some organizations feel life-long confinement is preferable to euthanasia.
  • Pro - Proponents say that they work hard to make the animal's enclosure comfortable and see to it that staff and volunteers visit with the animal regularly.
  • Con - Opponents say that keeping an animal caged or semi-isolated for months or years on end leads to animal suffering.
• Doing nothing Some suggest that it may be best in the long-term to do nothing at all.
  • Pro - Proponents of this philosophy, such as humane agencies, say they should stop 'hiding' the problem by picking up animals and should instead let people see the horror and madness of animals running loose everywhere. Citizens would thus be forced to come to grips with the reality of pet overpopulation and to change their behavior.
  • Con - This is a more extreme view and opponents say that this approach would cause tremendous suffering and would be antithetical to the fundamental mission of a humane society. Moreover, if the public perceives that the very organizations charged with caring for animals turn their backs, then how can the public be expected to care?
  The Potter League's Philosophy

  In order to be a true "shelter" we must keep the doors open for any animal that needs our help. Our mission is simple -- to care for all.

  There is no magic or quick solution to the problems of unwanted animals. Euthanasia is only a last resort. Everyone working in the animal welfare movement has been trying for over 100 years to end euthanasia. Just as we would never blame the American Cancer Society for the existence of or increase in cancer, we cannot place blame on shelters for the disease of euthanasia. These are societal issues that animal welfare organizations by their very mission are addressing and trying to solve.

  Thankfully, we are all looking at new ways to decrease euthanasia. The animal welfare movement is starting to institute programs aimed at education and prevention. Our Newport County community is seeing many positive trends. The Potter League applauds the efforts of our colleagues in the field of animal protection, whether they work in limited admission shelters or open admission facilities. However, if we have any hope of changing the culture and inspiring pet owners to remain true to the life-long commitments they make to their pets, it is critical that we not mislead them into a false sense of security. The implication that open-admission shelters choose to euthanize animals and are, therefore, part of the problem rather than part of the solution is simply not accurate.

  The Potter League is committed to reducing euthanasia and our programs reflect this:

  • Animals are spayed and neutered prior to adoption, and we offer financial assistance to help others sterilize their dogs and cats.
  • Dog obedience programs and a behavior help line are provided for all animals and their guardians.
  • We work on state-wide legislation to benefit animals.
  • We are investing money into medical care for sick, elderly, or injured animals.
  • Foster programs continually expand to provide temporary care and health or behavior rehabilitation.
  • We gladly work with other shelters in our area and transfer their adoptable animals to the Potter League to insure more animals find homes.

  We need help from animal lovers and pet owners in our community. The Potter League has not created the problems that require euthanasia, but we are here to help people solve them. We will continue to fund and support programs that will help all animals. We hope that you will help too.

  Our doors are opened to all unwanted animals in Newport County - the ill, the aged, the dangerous, the badly behaved and the unappealing as well as the highly adoptable animals. We have great concern over what might happen to those deemed less desirable if we close our doors to these animals. Would they suffer as strays on the street after being abandoned? All unwanted animals deserve compassionate handling and a fair chance for a good life … and they will receive it here at the Potter League for Animals.