VSA HISTORY 1979-2024
Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA) was started in 1979 by a group of conscientious people dedicated to improving the quality of animal shelters. Since our start, we've helped improve conditions and the standard of care at shelters throughout Rhode Island. Due in great part to VSA's efforts, most shelters now provide veterinary care for sick animals and provide inoculations against rabies and distemper. One of VSA's most effective programs to date is the promotion of spaying and neutering of companion animals because it decreases euthanasia rates.
Much has happened for the good of animals in Rhode Island since VSA’s beginnings: no more gas chambers, structural improvements in many of the municipal animal shelters, mandatory sterilization of cats and increased help for feral cats, no dog racing in Rhode Island, the establishment of low cost animal care clinics, restraint of the use of the steel jaw leg hold trap, and much more. VSA, too, has changed by advocating at international, national, state, and local levels for the humane treatment of all animals. During these 45 years, our organization has had a hands-on-role in changing laws in companion animal sheltering and rescue in Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Coventry, Cranston, East Providence, Gloucester, North Providence, North Smithfield, Lincoln, North Kingstown, Providence, Scituate, Warren, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket as well as maintaining a statewide presence. Since its beginnings, VSA continued its programs of spay/neuter and veterinary care for sick dogs and cats. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our donors, and all who helped in these humane efforts. For VSA’s posterity, the memorabilia and records of these forty-five years have been archived.
Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA) is a Rhode Island non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt humane organization established in 1979. VSA's Federal Identification Number is 05-0381306.