Education is the key to reducing the neglect, abuse and abandonment of companion animals and promoting respect for wildlife. Explore our programs committed to educating the public and supporting meaningful protections for animals.
Education is the key to reducing the neglect, abuse and abandonment of companion animals and promoting respect for wildlife. Explore our programs committed to educating the public and supporting meaningful protections for animals.
We offer a variety of programs designed to increase kindness and compassion towards animals, while reinforcing important academic skills. By engaging a child’s natural curiosity about animals, we encourage a love of learning and help students develop their own humane ethics so they become more responsible adults.
Our weekly after school enrichment programs provide interactive, animal-themed activities to Newport County schools. Each program aims to foster a love of animals, while teaching compassion and respect for the world around them.
Reading Fur Fun helps improve literacy skills by giving students the opportunity to read humane-themed books aloud to dogs belonging to Potter League volunteers.
This free program is available for schools, libraries, and group homes, with everything provided except for the location. In schools, teacher-selected students spend 20-30 minutes reading to the dog. Sessions at libraries can be open to the public. The sessions can consist of 5-6 consecutive weeks, “3 Dog Nights” (3 evenings during a week), or weekly sessions.
The Potter League’s Youth Programs celebrate our community’s love for animals. Children are encouraged to get involved with the Potter League and our mission, while learning about safety, compassion, and respect for animals.
Camp Happy Tails is held every summer and during school vacations. Our hands-on program allows kids to explore behind the scenes at the Potter League with educational activities, games, and time spent with our shelter pets.
The Potter League offers workshops designed especially for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Girls will meet the animals at the shelter, learn about animal care and pet responsibility, and create a craft. A Potter League patch will be awarded to each participant.
The Potter League is a delightful venue for your child’s next birthday party. Each party is tailored to meet the individual interests of the birthday child. Activities include a craft, educational program, animal-themed game, and hands-on time with a pet or two!
Parties are available for children ages 5-10 years old. The party is designed for a maximum of 16 participants. This number includes the birthday child and any other child who wishes to join in activities. At least two adults are required to assist with supervision.
Birthday parties are generally held on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm. Party scheduling is subject to availability.
Birthday parties are held at the Potter League, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842 in the Morris Education Center.
You provide the food and decorations; we provide the fun! Each 1.5 hour birthday party is tailored to the age and interests of the birthday child. A 1 hour program is provided by the Potter League Educator, and may include a craft, picture book, interactive activities, and meeting a furry friend or two. After the program, the last half hour is for celebration with food and presents. The host family may show up a half hour before the party to set up and decorate the room, and they should plan to stay about a half hour after the party to help clean up.
The Potter League for Animals hosts an annual “Be Kind to Animals Week” Poster Contest. Each year posters are designed around different themes promoting kindness and compassion towards animals. The competition is open to grades 2 through 12 as part of Be Kind to Animals Week, the first full week in May.
Learn More About Poster Contest
See Past Winners List
Contact Us About Poster Contest
We proudly offer free tours for school groups and youth organizations of our animal care and education center, with home-like animal housing. The Potter League's building has been LEED certified at the Gold level by the U.S. Green Building Council and the tour incorporates environmental education by showcasing the "green" features of the new facility.
See Tour Formats
Potter Pet University is a monthly lecture series about all things animal, usually held on the second Wednesday night of the month. From dog behavior to wildlife rehabilitation, each session brings in a new guest speaker and topic.
This Month's University Become a Speaker
The Potter League is committed to supporting meaningful protections for animals. The Advocacy and Public Policy Committee was created to advise and assist the Potter League’s Board of Directors, staff and other committees in identifying issues of importance to the League and the community. By formulating research, communication, public education and advocacy plans, we create change for animals.
The Potter League is also an active participant in the Ocean State Animal Coalition (OSAC), where we work with other Rhode Island organizations involved in animal care, control and sheltering, as well as humane education and veterinary medicine.
When making decisions from policy to legislation support to animal care, we refer to the Five Freedoms for guidance. The Five Freedoms help to evaluate animal welfare and limit animal suffering. By looking towards each of the Five Freedoms, communities can assess the welfare of animals in human care, identify areas needing improvement, and enact changes to benefit animals.
1
Freedom from Hunger and Thirst: All animals require access to a nutritious diet and fresh, clean water.
2
Freedom from Discomfort: An appropriate environment must be provided, which includes a clean living space, protection from the elements, and a comfortable place to rest.
3
Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease:Precautions should be taken to prevent illness and injury. When problems do occur, veterinary diagnosis and treatment should be as prompt and effective as possible.
4
Freedom to Express Normal Behavior: Animals should be given facilities adequate for the performance of behaviors typical for the species, including access to enough space and social companions where appropriate.
5
Freedom from Fear and Distress: Conditions, treatment, and handling should be designed to avoid stress or mental suffering.
The Potter League is proud to be a part of Rhode Island’s Livestock Welfare and Care Standards Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to serve as an advisory body to the director of Department of Environmental Management and the General Assembly in making recommendations related to the overall health and welfare of livestock species. Animal care standards are currently being developed by the council for a variety of livestock species.
Researchers and professionals in both animal welfare and human services fields have discovered a strong relationship between animal abuse and other forms of community violence, such as domestic violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse. This species-spanning correlation is called “The Link”. Animal abuse can no longer be viewed as a one-time incident, but instead as a “red flag” that other family members in the household may not be safe. Through our advocacy efforts, we aim to break the cycle of violence that often touches multiple family members and spans generations.
Child Maltreatment
Animal Abuse
Elder Abuse
Domestic Violence
Our mission is educate and advise decision makers in federal, state, and local government to enact positive changes for the welfare of animals and the community. As we learn about new bills, we will share our support or opposition here.
Writing to your representatives is one of the most effective ways to take part in in the process of improving laws for animals. Find your legislators here: www.vote.sos.ri.gov.
Interested in giving a lecture? Get in touch.
Eleanor Hanson
401.846.0592 ext 120
EleanorH@PotterLeague.org
Opposed as Written
BY Ucci, Corvese, Lima, Kazarian, Fellela
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – ANIMAL CARE (Defines pet trainers and requires trainers to be licensed. This act would further provide that all trainers must provide adequate housing facilities and/or primary enclosures for all animals.)
{LC1433/1}
02/14/2019 Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
03/29/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2019 Committee postponed at request of sponsor (04/03/2019)
04/05/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/10/2019)
04/10/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Ucci
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE – FIELD TRIALS AND SHOOTING PRESERVES (Authorizes shooting preserves of five hundred (500) acres or greater to allow hunting deer, elk, or other animals in addition to domestic game birds as regulated by the department of environmental management.)
{LC2165/1}
03/14/2019 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/15/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
03/20/2019 Committee postponed at request of sponsor (03/21/2019)
BY Crowley, Seveney
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — ANIMAL CARE — UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE — LEASES (Prohibits the use of a dog or cat as security for its purchase where the seller or lender can repossess the dog or cat for failure to make payments. It also provides exceptions for certain agricultural activities.)
{LC548/1}
01/16/2019 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
03/29/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/04/2019)
04/04/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Support if amended.
BY Lynch Prata, Coyne, Archambault
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — MANDATORY DOG AND CAT MICROCHIPPING ACT (Provides for the mandatory microchipping of all dogs and cats and applicable penalties to the owner for failing to microchip the animal.)
{LC678/1}
01/24/2019 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
03/29/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/04/2019)
04/04/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Ruggerio, Ciccone, Goodwin, Archambault, McCaffrey
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS — DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION (Expands family court jurisdiction to enter protective orders to provide for the safety and welfare of household pets in domestic abuse situations.)
{LC1091/1}
01/31/2019 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
03/29/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/04/2019)
04/04/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Goodwin, McCaffrey
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — CRUELTY TO PUBLIC SAFETY DOGS AND HORSES (Provides special protection to public safety canines and horses that are intentionally or maliciously subjected to cruelty, injuries, or death, by increasing the potential criminal and civil penalties for the offenders.)
{LC2319/1}
04/04/2019 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
BY O’Brien, Marshall, Williams, Hawkins, Mendez
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS — DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION (Expands family court jurisdiction to enter protective orders to provide for the safety and welfare of household pets in domestic abuse situations.)
{LC356/1}
01/04/2019 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
02/08/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/13/2019)
02/13/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Edwards, Canario, Serpa, Lima, Shekarchi
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (Provides that the trapping and subsequent release of any unowned feral or free roaming cat for the purpose of spaying or neutering of the cat shall not be considered abandonment.)
{LC269/1}
01/10/2019 Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
02/15/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/27/2019)
02/27/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
03/22/2019 Scheduled for consideration (03/27/2019)
03/27/2019 Committee recommends passage
BY Lombardi, Cassar, Hull, Nardone, Roberts
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS – DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION (Permits the family court to award custody of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint.)
{LC205/1}
01/10/2019 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
01/18/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (01/23/2019)
01/23/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Lima, Solomon, Costantino, Marshall, Serpa
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – ANIMAL CARE (Prohibits renting/leasing/financing sales of dogs/cats. Sets forth penalties for violations and exemptions to the act.)
{LC1095/1}
01/31/2019 Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
02/15/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/27/2019)
02/27/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
03/08/2019 Scheduled for consideration (03/13/2019)
03/13/2019 Committee recommends passage
03/22/2019 Placed on House Calendar (03/27/2019)
03/27/2019 House read and passed
04/04/2019 Referred to Senate Judiciary
BY McNamara, Jackson, Amore, Serodio, Noret
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — ANIMAL CARE (Regulates unlicensed animal care providers by subjecting them to inspection by DEM or RISPCA for animal care facilities violations with $350 civil fine per day for denial of access to premises and grants access issuance of search warrant.)
{LC373/1}
02/06/2019 Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
02/15/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/27/2019)
02/27/2019 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BY Ackerman, Serpa, Vella-Wilkinson, Morin, Casimiro
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — SEIZURE OF ANIMALS BEING CRUELLY TREATED (Authorizes certain state and municipal agents to take possession of animals found abandoned or neglected, and to proceed to provide all necessary care and treatment for the animal.)
{LC1456/1}
02/14/2019 Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
03/29/2019 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/02/2019 Committee postponed at request of sponsor (04/03/2019)
To check on the availability of dates and times, contact the Humane Education Department at 401-846-0592 ext.120 or EleanorH@PotterLeague.org.
To reserve a party, please fill out and send in a reservation form (in the birthday party brochure link below) with a $50 deposit to secure the room. The balance of $125 is due on the day of the party.
Download a birthday party brochure.
For more information or to schedule a program, please contact our Humane Educator, at 401-846-0592 ext.120 or EleanorH@PotterLeague.org.
