Ben Madilynn
Q: How did the formation of the coalition come about?
Smith: Animal welfare has always been something that I’ve done professionally, and when I retired, I realized that the Potter League and other organizations in Rhode Island had money to help individuals with their veterinary bills, but all the organizations didn’t speak to each other. We would get a calls at the Potter League from people with often emergency or horrifying pet problems who ended up calling all over the place to get help. It was very uncoordinated and a lot of extra work for the pet owner. So when I retired, I said this is what I want to do. All eight groups sat down two years ago to start talking and see if we could all get along. I was so pleased to see that it’s a very collaborative group, that everyone understands what the issues are, and we’re very happy to help the four-legged creatures and reptiles of our families.
What types of services does the coalition provide?
We have a new website, ripetcare.org, and a pet owner can go to that website and look for shelters and animal welfare groups that can help them. Most of our work is geared toward financial assistance, but in some cases people may need to know where to get their animal spayed or neutered, or have a transportation question. As the site becomes more popular, we’ll be able to add more information. Predominantly it’s for the pet owner to find resources to help them without having to call all over the state. It’s one-stop shopping where you can see what’s available and who to reach out to.
What specific types of financial assistance can pet owners receive?
If you’re working with the Companion Animal Foundation and you meet the income qualifications [An income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or you receive one of the following: SNAP, Medicaid, Rite Care, CCAP, Section 8, WIC, RI Works, SSI, SSDI, TDI, LIHEAP], you can get up to $125 for the routine office visit.
The Potter League has the Pets In Need Clinic in East Providence, and that is a full service veterinary hospital where 85 percent of the funding goes to lower-income families.
What are goals you have for getting the word out?
One of my main goals is to work more closely with social service agencies, and down the road have something like a Pet 211. The information spread through social service agencies will be important because it used to be considered that if you couldn’t afford the veterinary care, you shouldn’t have a pet. Well pets are not privilege; pets are part of our families.
What organizations are included in the coalition?
Friends of Animals in Need, Providence Animal Control, Providence Animal Rescue League, Potter League for Animals, Rhode Island SPCA, RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation, Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, and Volunteer Services for Animals.
We had to form a good working relationship among the eight organizations, and I think that’s important for people to understand. The people in this coalition are all trying to help and can be trusted. We’re all nonprofits working in animal welfare in Rhode Island.
What should Rhode Islanders know about the issue of pet care inequality?
I think people don’t realize the breadth of the problem. So often, people with limited resources are afraid to tell service providers “I can’t afford this.” There are people who go into great debt to pay for long-term care. Sometimes busy veterinary offices don’t have time to hold everyone’s hand, so our goal is to help take people through it and give them the help they need. The services we provide are not new. It’s putting all the information in one place to make it easier for people. The more money we can raise, the more animals we can help. People can make a donation to any one of the eight organizations.
The Boston Globe’s weekly Ocean State Innovators column features a Q&A with Rhode Island innovators who are starting new businesses and nonprofits, conducting groundbreaking research, and reshaping the state’s economy. Send tips and suggestions to reporter Alexa Gagosz at alexa.gagosz@globe.com.
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