Animal Rescue Rhode Island (ARRI) partners with the Jonnycake Center for Hope (Peace Dale), the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, St. Peters-by-the-Sea (Narragansett), and other organizations to provide assistance to pet owners in need. This is possible through donations of pet food and supplies from both area pet stores and individual donors. We’re deeply grateful to Rumford Pet Express (Rhode Island, Wakefield & North Kingstown), Pet Supplies Plus (Narragansett), and Petco (Warwick & North Kingstown) for donating food and supplies to our Community Pet Food Pantry, making it possible for us to help families in need. We’re also indebted to Bocce’s Bakery for their many donations of all-natural dog and cat treats.
Our Community Pet Food Pantry provides more than 65,000 pet meals to families in need each year.
Welcome to Animal Rescue Rhode Island’s Community Pet Food Pantry. Our volunteer-run and donor-stocked pantry is here to help you feed your pets in times of need. Each order typically contains (subject to our supplies) dry food, wet food, and a small treat.
What is the ARRI Community Pet Food Pantry?
The ARRI Community Pet Food Pantry is a program of Animal Rescue Rhode Island, an animal shelter in Wakefield. The Pantry’s goal is to:
– keep pets with their loving families
– connect pet owners in need with food and information
Where does the food come from?
– Donations from retailers or distributors
– Donations from individuals
– Donations collected at stores
– Grant-funded items
Please note that many of the items we receive are nearing their best by/expiration dates. Please check best by/expiration dates on all items provided and use them accordingly.
ARRI makes no representations or warranties about the food or other items provided. It is your responsibility to check best by/expiration dates, to ensure that the food/items are appropriate for your pet(s) in light of their age, size, health (including allergies and sensitivities) and activity level, and to consider any pet food or pet item recalls. To the extent ingredient information is not available on the items provided, this information usually can be obtained through internet searches. Information about pet food recalls can be found here.
You agree not to hold Animal Rescue Rhode Island, its employees, volunteers, or donors liable for any negative outcomes resulting from use of the food or other items provided.
Who is it for?
We welcome you to use the pantry if:
– you live in Rhode Island and
– you are struggling to afford the cost of feeding your pet.
How long will it take?
Pickups generally take 2-7 days. Deliveries can take up to 60 days. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup or contacted by the delivery driver with an estimated time of delivery.
What are the program rules?
- Temporary Assistance. Our program is not set up to supply food permanently and is for temporary assistance when needed. We ask that you use other sources whenever possible in addition to contacting ARRI for food, so that we may help as many families and pets as we can. These sources include:
- Your local town or city shelter
- Your local food pantry
- Other pet food pantries in Rhode Island, such as: Potter League, Providence Animal Rescue League, Maggie’s Pet Pantry, Family Pet Advocates, Rhode Island SPCA
- Pick-Up Orders. We encourage you to pick up your orders at the shelter at 506B Curtis Corner Road in Peace Dale. Pickup orders typically will be ready within 7 days of an order being placed, usually within 2-3 days. Households may place up to twelve (12) pick-up orders a year with not more than one (1) order placed in any thirty-day period. We will also have a small selection of harnesses, collars, and other items available for pick-up clients to choose from if they are interested. In addition, when available, litter, beds, and other items will be made available for pick-up clients.
- Limitations on Deliveries. We are a volunteer-run program based in Peace Dale. We therefore must reserve deliveries for clients who do not have the means to come to our building. Although it can take up to 60 days for deliveries to be made, we have been delivering faster than that, usually within a couple of weeks. Households may place up to six (6) delivery orders a year with not more than one (1) order placed in any thirty-day period. Please note that deliveries typically include pet food and treats. We do not deliver other items. Please let us know if you need information about low-cost litter options.
- Spaying and Neutering. We ask that you spay or neuter your pets. Pet overpopulation in the USA means there are too many pets and not enough homes. Our animal shelter works to reduce the suffering caused by animal overpopulation. By spaying or neutering your pet, you help animals everywhere. In fact, Rhode Island law requires spay/neuter for all cats over six months. Also, there are many health reasons for your pet to be spayed or neutered. Please let us know if you need information about low cost spay and neuter services.
- No New Pets. We know you love the fur babies. We do too! However, while you are relying on our services to feed and care for your pets, we expect that you will not bring any new pets into your household. If you do bring a new pet into your household, you will no longer be eligible for our program. If you become aware of a pet that needs to be rehomed, please feel free to contact our shelter at 401-783-7606 for assistance.
If you have any questions, please email petpantry@animalrescueri.org or call our pet food pantry phone line
at (401) 208-9161.
Need to submit a request to the Pet Food Pantry? Please click the below button to access the online order form.