In 1870, Henry Bergh, founder of the American SPCA, NY and George T. Angell, founder of the Massachusetts SPCA, were asked to address a committee in Rhode Island to aid in forming a humane society which ultimately became the present day RISPCA. The committee appeared before the State Legislature and once this was accomplished, directors of the RISPCA were elected. Governor Elisha Dyer invited the body to meet in his office. W. Lloyd Bowers was appointed the first general agent of the newly formed organization. On July 1, 2002, E.J. Finocchio, D.V.M. became the 1st veterinarian to head the society in its 135 year history.

The Society is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) and is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 15 members who serve without compensation. The Society is charged with the sole purpose of protecting animal life in all situations that might endanger them, and encourages spaying and neutering of pets to prevent overpopulation of unwanted animals.

The Society is dedicated to crusading for the rights and welfare of all animals, great and small, through legal, educational, legislative and investigative means. We are strongly committed to ending pet overpopulation, the leading cause of death to sheltered animals. Through the legislative process we have sponsored bills unsuccessfully in hopes of creating a statewide Rhode Island Spay and Neuter Fund.

Community involvement is also a part of our mission.

• Visits to nursing homes, hospitals, schools, libraries and day care centers.
• Help elderly, disabled and low-income earning families defray veterinary costs for their pets in times of need through the " Marvin Fund.”
• Educate our youth about animal cruelty and pet owner responsibility.
• Collecting food for needy families in our state through our annual “Almost Free Rabies Clinic.”

The RISPCA is the third oldest humane society in the USA. In 1872, a Ladies' Auxiliary to the SPCA was formed and 100 women joined. "Any lady who had one dollar to spare annually," was eligible to be a member to help animals, despite the criticism of many citizens that there were too many poor people to care for first. Their philosophy was: "The poor we have always with us. 'Tis useless to wait until there are no poor."

On March 12, 1873, the women of the Ladies' Auxiliary started a new project by going to schools and talking with children about care and training of pets. This was the beginning of the Rhode Island Humane Education Society still in existence today with offices located in the present shelter.

In 1920, an African American woman named Sarah E. Gardiner of Newport, whom the Society helped from time to time in removing stray cats, passed away. Her estate, approximately $33,000, was bequeathed to the Society. This made it possible to erect our first headquarters, located at 372 Fountain Street in Providence, Rhode Island.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This Society prosecuted its first case of cruelty to an animal on May 17, 1871 and we continue to prosecute cruelty to animals today, just as we did in 1871.

Sadly, dog fighting, cock fighting and all types of animal abuse still exist today as in the 1800's. Even though we have managed to put a man on the moon, walk in space, transplant organs, we have not been able to conquer the problem of cruelty, neglect and abuse to animals.

In 1982, this Society was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to erect a new shelter at our present location at 186 Amaral Street, Riverside, Rhode Island.  This was made possible by the generosity of concerned people who believe deeply in our cause to "speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."