State guide
Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not have functioning county governments, so animal control is handled locally by cities and towns. State rabies and wildlife pages point residents to their city or town animal control officer, RIDOH for bites and testing, and RIDEM for wildlife help.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who handles animal control locally
- Usually city or town animal control officers handle domestic animal control in Rhode Island; the state rabies rules and RIDOH guidance route reports to the local ACO rather than any county office.
- State wildlife agency (nuisance and injured wildlife)
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Nuisance wildlife help
- Official page →
- Reporting an animal bite
- Report bites or potential rabies exposures to RIDOH using the Animal Bites Report Form and notify the animal control officer at the police department.
- State rabies contact
- Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Rhode Island Department of Health
Official resources in Rhode Island
State rabies page with bite reporting, testing submission, treatment guidance, and RIDOH contacts.
State wildlife help page for injured or orphaned wildlife, nuisance wildlife, and wildlife safety.
RIDEM Fish & Wildlife page linking to the wildlife rehabilitators list and other wildlife resources.
Official RIDOH online form for reporting animal bite incidents.
State rabies control regulation describing the local animal control officer role after reported exposures.
Key facts for Rhode Island
- RIDOH says animal bites or possible rabies exposures should be reported using the Animal Bites Report Form.
- RIDOH says to call the animal control officer at the police department to report an animal bite incident.
- Rhode Island rabies rules direct the ACO to respond when an exposure involving a domestic animal is reported.
- RIDEM says to call DEM at 401-222-3070 or the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island before taking action with injured or orphaned wildlife.
- RIDOH lists the Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 and after-hours 401-276-8046.
- RIDEM publishes a Rhode Island wildlife rehabilitator directory for members of the public.
Local animal control offices in Rhode Island
| Office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Animal Control Division Providence | Providence | 401-243-6040 | City animal control handles domestic animal complaints, bites, nuisance investigations, strays, cruelty, and licensing. |
| Warwick Animal Shelter Kent | Warwick | (401) 468-4377 | City shelter page for adoptions and animal shelter contact information. |
| Animal Control Division Providence | East Providence | (401) 435-7675 | City animal control shelters strays and enforces state and local animal welfare and public safety laws. |
| Animal Control Newport | Newport | 401-847-1306 ext. 2080 | Newport’s animal control officer enforces city animal ordinances and follows up on animal incidents. |
| Animal Control Kent | Coventry | Not published* | Town directory listing for the local animal control office. |
| Animal Shelter Providence | Pawtucket | Not published* | City directory lists the municipal animal shelter in Pawtucket. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If a person is bitten or scratched, wash the wound, contact a doctor, and report it to RIDOH and your local animal control officer.
- For injured or orphaned wildlife, call RIDEM or a listed wildlife rehabilitator before touching or moving the animal.
- If there may have been rabies exposure, call RIDOH’s epidemiology office for treatment guidance, including after hours.
Not seeing your office or county?
Not every office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Rhode Island's population center, for comparison only):
- Animal Control, Massachusetts · about 38 miles
- Animal Care and Control, Massachusetts · about 49 miles
- Animal Commission, Massachusetts · about 49 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.RIDOH Rabies
Website →Phone: (401) 222-5960 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Rhode Island page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.