Heart of Rhode Island animal shelter in need of adopters amidst shortage

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) —  The East Greenwich Animal Protection League Heart of Rhode Island is struggling with short staff and too many surrendered animals, a common issue across the state.

Tammy Gallo, the executive director of EGAPL told ABC 6 News, “Our main problem right now is staffing and the lack of adoptions is a huge issue.”

Gallo explained how within the past two weeks, at least six animals were surrendered to her facility.

Now she’s asking Rhode Islanders to foster or adopt the furry friends who are patiently waiting for a home.

“You can go to [heartforri.org] and fill out an adoption application. We use the same application for fostering as we do for adopting and you can send it in or drop it off during any of our open adoption hours,” Gallo explained.

Long-term fostering or adoption is the best kind of help for the Heart of R.I. and is only open to Rhode Island residents.

“It is really a scary and sad time for us right now,” Gallo said.

“We are looking for long term fosters until the dog is hopefully adopted because if we don’t get staffing in here in a timely manner where the need for that foster is going to be long term,” she continued.

Anyone interested in adopting or fostering a furry friend can fill out an application for dogs or cats at the EGAPL webpage.