Animal Rescue Rhode Island receives grant from state

Animal Rescue Rhode Island (ARRI) recently announced it has been awarded a $1,000 legislative grant, courtesy of Rhode Island taxpayers.

The funds will be used to purchase supplies for ARRI’S Community Pet Pantry, which currently provides pet food to hundreds of families across the state. ARRI’S pet pantry is manned by volunteers and stocked primarily with donations from both individuals and pet stores.

“We provide food, either routinely or intermittently, for well over 1,000 pets, and our ability to do that depends on donations from the public and our pet store partners: Rumford Pets, Pet Supplies Plus, and Petco,” said Liz Skrobisch, Executive Director. “Local clients pick up pre-ordered food at our shelter, and our volunteers deliver as far away as Woonsocket, Central Falls, and Providence. In 2023, ARRI distributed more than 65,000 pet meals, and requests for pet food have increased 70% in 2024 to date. This grant will help us ensure we meet that ever-growing need.”

Many clients of human food pantries have pets; however, pet food is rarely available at those pantries for the four-legged members of their families. ARRI regularly shares donations with the Jonnycake Center for

Hope in Peacedale and the Jonnycake Center in Westerly, as well as St. Peter’s-bythe Sea.

ARRI has been bringing families and best friends together since 1938. For more information, or to donate, visit animalrescueri.org