The mission of the no-kill Pet Refuge is to provide a warm home for abused and neglected cats from within the state of Rhode Island and also for those cats who can no longer remain in their homes for a variety of reasons. We supply our kitties with all the love, attention, pet medications, and veterinary care they need. We are a private entity funded by your donations.
In 1968, five concerned residents of Wickford, Rhode Island started the North Kingstown Animal Protection League to raise money for local animals. The word “Exeter” was added to the name in 1979 to include the town of Exeter.
In 2004, the shelter property on Stony Lane was purchased from the late owner of the Stony Lane kennels.
Today, Pet Refuge takes in cats and kittens from all over Rhode Island. We take in and adopt between 180-270 cats annually.
Where do I even start when it comes to the pet refuge.
Well it started about five years ago, when I seen a post on facebook about a yard sale benefiting the countless lives of cats that the amazing staff dedicates their lives to feeding, loving, and finding homes for. When I attended the sale I not only went home with a car full of goodies, I had a chance to meet the workers there and hear all about the cats and learn about the refuge.
I myself am in rescue and take care of two feral cat colonies, in which cats are either being dumped or just show up out of no where. I took a chance one day and reached out to the refuge to see if they could help me with a very friendly cat I had trapped. They agreed to help me and it has been nothing but happy success stories after all these years.
The Pet Refuge has taken in at least 10 cats that I have saved off the streets and found them the most amazing fur-ever homes. I have been lucky enough to also see to date pictures of how each cat is doing.
Having the Refuge help me in my journey of saving these innocent lives off the street has been a true miracle. I can never thank them enough. Donna and Christine I have gotten very close to, they are the most kind hearted, dedicated women I have ever met.
When I lost the love of my life Daisy, I was absolutely beyond heart broken. About two weeks ago I saved two cats from a milk crate around midnight that were about to be thrown in a dumpster and brought them to the Refuge. A few days went by and Christine had reached out to me and told me that Donna and herself decided to name them “Ashley and Daisy” my heart nearly exploded I was so extremely touched by this I had tears running down my face.
I could write a book alone just with the amazing, heart warming, happy endings just from my experiences with them. I’ll end my testimony with this. To the staff of Pet Refuge Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from all my fur babies that you have found homes for, and will never see the streets again. I will always support you in any way I can and I hope this testimony reaches the hearts of others to support you as well. I Love You All.
A year after my cat of 16 years had passed, I started sending my husband pictures of all the cats I saw everywhere. On FB this place appeared, Pet Refuge. We didn’t know about it, but my husband fell in love with two kitties there, a mom and her baby, who had been found almost dead, while she was birthing him. The people at the refuge were super nice with the kitties—the person who found the cat cried when we took them—, to my son, and they kept saying that, should we have a problem, they’d take them back. I like that they weren’t judging, simply understanding that sometimes things don’t work out. Maybe they were scared that Goldie (now Luna)’s FIV diagnosis was a problem to us, but that was not the case.
She and Thor (now Tigro) are an integral part of our family. They are so different from our previous cat, which is great because we aren’t replacing them. Tigro and Luna are 2 love bugs, they sleep with us, greet us, and want to be hugged. Every so often, we send updates to Pet Refuge and they always have a kind word about them, which makes us so proud 🙂
Thank you for our babies.
So where do I start with the Pet Refuge???? On every occasion I have volunteered I have noticed how clean the facility is, how well cared for the animals are, and how much love just surrounds the building whenever I am there. I can’t say enough about Donna and Chrissy, all they do for the cats and how much they care and love them and want them placed in the perfect forever home doesn’t go unnoticed. They are both amazing and such assets to the shelter and I know firsthand how deeply they care about placing fosters, and everything that goes along with the day-to-day that you might not think about. I know firsthand how the foster program they built, has allowed for cats and kittens to get socializing or behavioral help or young baby kittens, and mama getting hands on care in a loving home that gets them out of a cage. They not only talk the talk – they walk the walk – all for the love of these felines in their care. They work tirelessly to place cats and kittens in great homes and continue to have tremendous success stories. It’s clear it’s a labor of love all around. If you’re in the market for a cat or a kitten or just have the ability to donate either financially or by dropping off supplies, please consider the Pet Refuge they do so much good, and really just an amazing shelter. Thank you again to Donna and Chrissy who are absolutely amazing and the shelter is very lucky to have you both!
Our family has wanted a pet for many years. Previous landlords didn’t allow any. When we decided to move, we made sure to find a new home that allowed cats. I started following The Pet Refuge and reading about all of the cats that needed a home. The story of Coco and her only surviving kitten, Independence, really stood out to me. It broke my heart that Coco lost 3 of her kittens. The pictures of Coco and her baby were so sweet.
Up until our move in November 2023, we continued to watch and read about all of the cats looking for homes. I was very surprised that no one had adopted Coco and Independence, yet. When we moved, I put our application in. I was so incredibly excited, when Chrissy approved our application and said SHE was fostering Coco and her kitten! We were invited to her house to meet them. Chrissy opened her home to all of us and we fell in love with them right away! We took them home the next week and we are SO thankful for all Chrissy did for our babies. Chrissy is, by far, the best foster Mom I have ever met. She truly loves all of these cats. We felt bad “taking them away” from her. However, she was able to take sweet Citrus, seeing we took Coco and Independence.
Coco and Chip have made our lives complete. We adore both of them. They greet us at the door, when we come home. They make us laugh. They comfort us and make us feel loved, too.
Thank you so very much to everyone at The Pet Refuge ♥
This shelter is great, and it is clear there is a deep passion for getting cats placed in loving forever homes. I’ve never seen such a commitment, in regards to advocating for adoptable cats through videos and pictures and words, to following up with happy adoption stories. You feel part of their family, and get to know their cats on a much more personal level.
On 11/3/22 we adopted Corey and Taylor from the Pet Refuge. Corey had been at the shelter for 10 years, and Taylor living in the kennel with him, for 2 years. Although this is an exceptionally long shelter time, they were well taken care of and extremely loved. Both boys are extremely lovable and great “huggers and kissers”. I have referred family and friends to their shelter. Please give them a call if you are interested in adopting. We are forever grateful to them for our Corey and Taylor. They all are our boys Guardian Angels.
Please consider a donation either monetary or goods to the Pet Refuge.
They are very much appreciative of donations either small or large.
I can’t say enough about The Pet Refuge and the Foster Family who brought us our beautiful girls Daisy and Dottie. They bring us so much joy. Adopting Daisy and Dottie allowed us to witness the dedication you provide to so many cats and kittens who need to find their forever homes. Thank you for all that you do😻😻
I adopted two cats a couple of years ago. The process was painless. The people there were so nice and they were great at finding a good match for my family. I also loved that they were both spayed/neutered before I adopted them and I received a paper so their first physical and shots were free! That was so helpful. I would definitely adopt from Pet Refuge again!
After my first Cat Rere passed away I knew pretty soon that I needed another animal friend at home. I knew Rere would have approved and I made the choice very quick. Where to adopt? That was the biggest question. I personally found the pet refuge online and mentioned to a friend of mine who immediately told me that a client of theirs recommended them. I knew I was making the right choice. My visit was approved and Donna And Chrissy made me feel comfortable right away and were very informative and supportive with my visiting the cats and finally making a decision. I admire everyone who works here for what they do. It’s not easy seeing animals who are sad and scared and knowing the situations they come from. Their selflessness is just wonderful. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the shelter and the spacious cages and the comfort provided to the animals present. My choice was completely easy but I ended up adopting a boy named castle who I renamed Apollo. He’s been with me at home for a month now and he fit right in. I’m very happy I chose the pet refuge and would recommend them to Anyone who needs an animal friend in their life and more importantly give them a home and provide them with love.
We adopted Ruby a year ago. She was a shy, sweet girl waiting for her forever home. It was clear she was well loved and cared for at Pet Refuge and we couldn’t be happier with our sweet Ruby Jean. Thank you to Donna, Chrissy and all those who make this place so wonderful. It’s truly a blessing in the community where love is abundant for every cat.
The folks at the Pet Refuge have done a wonderful job pairing us up with 2 loving cats over the past year, following the loss of our Blue Point Siamese. Kayleigh, the tuxedo was adopted last April. Puddin, the grey Tabby joined sister Kayleigh in November to provide her companionship. The Pet Refuge staff was very helpful through this transition process as we introduced Puddin to our family. Our patience has been rewarded as both Kayleigh and Puddin are doing very well together!! Both pets are very loving and a perfect addition to our family!!
Much appreciated Pet Refuge!! Thank you so much!
Hello, my name is Nancy Winokoor, and three years ago. I adopted a wonderful cat -Rufus -from Pet Refuge. The people at Pet Refuge were so helpful and supportive in my adoption of Rufus. He is a wonderful and handsome and lovely, kind cat but he was a handful, and it was a difficult time the first six months getting him integrated with the other older cat in my home-and more than once I went back to Pet Refuge and talked to them about how difficult it was but wanting tips because I had integrated cats many times before without any problems and this was getting difficult and they worked with me and talked to me and now my Rufus is nothing but a bundle of love -he really is a delightful cat and I’m so glad I discovered Pet Refuge.