Our Mission
The PawsWatch mission is to care for community cats in Rhode Island by practicing TNRM (trap, neuter, return, manage), providing medical care, and adopting out kittens and stray cats. We seek to reduce the suffering of these homeless animals, prevent future generations from being born into similar circumstances, and reduce the number of cats euthanized in shelters.
Our Story
PawsWatch started in Newport in 1997 and is a 501(c) 3 Public Charity. Since then, we have helped fund the spay/neuter and veterinary care of over 25,000 feral, stray, abandoned, and free-roaming community cats across Rhode Island. We have made our mark and now partner with other Rhode Island animal welfare groups and several municipal ACOs working to develop a statewide network to help to better the lives of the many free-roaming cats in our state.
In 2017, the Grieco Automotive Group offered us the use of space in their collision center, creating a physical home called the Pawswatch Community Cat Center as a pre and post op facility so that cats undergoing the TNRM process could have a safe space to recuperate after surgery. This opportunity led us to the realization of the good that we could do with a home base. There were obstacles, but once again, with the help of the Grieco family and so many dedicated volunteers, we found a new home where the PWCCC could take root and thrive as an innovative facility that houses the most essential parts of feline rescue; medical, adoption, socialization, and community engagement within one space.
PawsWatch Accomplishments
January 2020 – May 2025
- Provide vet care for sick and injured animals taken from streets who have no other means for help
- PawsWatch supported exclusively through private funds
- 5,904 cats/kittens entered CCC since January 2020
- 4,492 spay/neutered and received medical treatment
- 3,626 cats/kittens permanently removed from streets
- 590 cats/kittens from outside shelters were sterilized
- Veterinarian on premises 2 – 3 days per week
- Vet Tech on premises 4 days per week and as needed
- Surgical Suite established on premises
- Procedures performed on site:
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- Sterilization
- Amputations
- Treatment of abscesses
- Treatment of dental disease
- Tumor removal
- Eye care:
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- ruptured eyes
- enucleation (eye removal)
- entropion (corrective eye care)
- Medical issues treated:
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- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Emaciation
- Renal failure
- Infections
2024 Cat Statistics
Field / Wildlife Release
433 (released)
Adoption
465
Reunited Cats
14
Euthanasia due to sickness & natural death
21
Board Members
Andrea Amitrano
Michele Barcelou
Martine Ireland
Meribeth Bowden
Karen Luther
Nancy Pottish
Help Support PawsWatch
Please consider making a tax deductible gift to show your support for PawsWatch, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Your gifts help community cats receive the care and attention they deserve.
