Helpful RISPCA.com Pet Articles

Ask the Vet

Visit our Ask the Vet page to ask a general, non-emergency question to our staff veterinarian, Dr. Burke. She cannot recommend specific hospitals, nor guess or discuss what they may charge. Not all questions are answered.

Low-Cost Veterinary Services

Spay/Neuter Services

The Rhode Island SPCA does not offer Spay/Neuter services. Some resources we recommend include:

Emergency Veterinary Services

Boarding

Due to a large amount of surrenders pets and animals being held due to animal cruelty investigations, As of September 1st, 2018 the Rhode Island SPCA will no longer be boarding pets.

Local Resources

Veterinary/Pet Health Topics

  • Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals Dogs can be trained to perform many important tasks to assist people with disabilities, such as providing stability for a person who has difficulty walking, picking up items for a person who uses a wheelchair, preventing a child with autism from wandering away, or alerting a person who has hearing loss when someone is approaching from behind.
  • Service Dog Laws Have questions regarding the laws around service dogs? Check out this helpful link for more information.
  • National Animal Poison Control Poison Control experts provide valuable information to help parents recognize and protect their pets from poisonous substances including plants, human foods, human medications and more.
  • Center for Disease Control  Although the spread of diseases from animals to people is rare, pets do sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. Here you can learn about the germs that each animal can spread plus actions you can take that can help you and your pets stay healthy.
  • American Heartworm Society The American Heartworm Society aims to further scientific progress in the study of heartworm disease while informing its membership of new developments.
  • Pets and Parasites.org The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is an independent council of veterinarians, veterinary parasitologists, and other animal health care professionals established to create guidelines for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. It brings together broad expertise in parasitology, internal medicine, public health, veterinary law, private practice, and association leadership.
  • Avoid Dog Bites How do you avoid getting bit by a dog? Start by being polite and respecting the dog’s personal space. Never approach an unfamiliar dog, especially one who’s tied or confined behind a fence or in a car. Don’t pet a dog—even your own—without letting them see and sniff you first.
  • The Cat Community The Cat Community’s purpose is to build a group of cat caregivers who want to provide the very best care for their cat. Powered by feline veterinarians, The Cat Community provides you with credible and trustworthy information on a variety of feline topics.
  • American Veterinary Medical Association The AVMA is the nation’s leading advocate for the veterinary profession. Representing more than 89,000 members, we protect, promote and advocate for the needs of all veterinarians and those they serve.
  • American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Up-to-date information on behavior, nutrition, and common health problems, plus recommended reading.
  • American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) The ACVIM is the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists in internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Search online for an internal medicine specialist.
  • Animal Poison Control Center ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is dedicated to helping animals exposed to potentially hazardous substances by providing 24-hour veterinary diagnostic and treatment recommendations. This is the premier animal-oriented poison control center in North America; their phone number is (888) 426-4435.
  • Cornell Feline Health Center These informative pamphlets provide concise summaries of a variety of issues regarding feline health, including medical conditions, behavioral issues, and general husbandry topics such as preparation of the home for a new kitten
  • Pet Adoption and Recovery Some pets, especially dogs, are deeply attuned to human behavior and emotions. They can tell when we’re angry or when we’re sad, just by the tone of our voices and our body language. With just their presence, they have an uncanny ability to lift our spirits in a way nothing else can.

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Military

If you’re in the military and headed on deployment, there is a wonderful organization that works with you to find temporary foster care for your pet(s) so that you don’t have to give them up. Dogs on Deployment