WHAT WE DO....

The Barrington Partnership for Animal Welfare is an all volunteer, 501c3 organization that was created to improve the lives of companion animals in the town of Barrington, RI. To accomplish this, the organization focuses its efforts on:

• Working in collaboration with the town's animal control department to ensure that residents receive assistance with lost, found and stray animals;
• Reducing Barrington's historically high euthanasia rate by implementing systems that result in owned animals being reunited with owners and stray animals being rehabilitated and rehomed;
• Fundraising to support the care of stray animals awaiting adoption;
• Coordinating the adoption process for Barrington's stray animals;
• Disseminating information to the public on topics related to animal well-being;
• Implementing the "Trap-Neuter-Return-Monitor TNRM" approach to feral cat management in town and supporting caretakers of feral cat colonies througout  Barrington;
• Working collaboratively with the town's animal control department to implement programs that support animal well-being such as micro-chipping clinics, humane education and spay/neuter programs;
• Serving as a resource to residents of Barrington, linking them to needed help and resources with animal related concerns; and
• Collaborating with neighboring communities to advocate for and support state-wide and regional policies that improve the lives of animals and promote the human:animal bond.

The Starfish Poem, Rescue Version

(Anon adaptation of L Eiseley's "The Star Thrower")

As I walked along the seashore, this young boy greeted me.

He was tossing stranded starfish back to the deep blue sea.

I said "Tell me why you bother, why you waste your time this way?

There's a million stranded starfish; Does it matter, anyway?"

And he said:

"It matters to this one, it deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one, though I can't save them all I know.

Because it matters to this one, I'll return it to the sea.

It matters to this one, and it matters to me."

I walked into a shelter, the director greeted me.

She was helping Misty learn to trust, Misty was struggling I could see.

I said, "Tell me why you bother, why you waste your time this way?

Misty's only one of thousands, does it matter anyway?"

The director simply smiled and said:

"It matters to this one, she deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one, I can't save them all I know.

Because it matters to this one, I'll help her be what she can be.

It matters to this one, and it matters to me.