Founded in 1980, the South Kingstown Animal Shelter accepts neglected, abandoned, and/or stray dogs, cats, and other domestic animals from South Kingstown and Narragansett, as it is a regional shelter serving both communities. The Animal Shelter is committed to improving the quality of life of all strays in its care. To this end, adoption applicants are carefully screened. All possible medical care, including preventative attention, is given to the animals. The Animal Shelter continues to maintain a policy of euthanizing animals only for extreme behavioral problems or incurable medical conditions. In 2009, the Town Council authorized an award of contract for the construction of the new Animal Shelter Facility. Ground breaking took place in April 2010. Shelter operations were moved into the newly constructed addition in January 2012. This state of the art facility supports the Shelter’s philosophy to provide the animals with the best quality care possible utilizing all available resources.