Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry § 4-9.1-1. Definitions

(1) “ Animal rescue” means an entity, without a physical brick-and-mortar facility, that is owned, operated, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other nonprofit organization.

(2) “ Animal shelter” means a brick-and-mortar facility that is used to house or contain animals and that is owned, operated, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other nonprofit organization devoted to the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals.

(3) “ Nonprofit corporation” means a corporation of which no part of the income or profit is distributable to its members, directors, or officers, except as otherwise expressly permitted by chapter 6 of title 7.

(4) “ Pound” or “ Dog pound” means a facility operated by the state, or any political subdivision of the state, for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals, or a facility operated for that purpose under contract with any municipal corporation or incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

(5) “ Veterinarian-client patient relationship” or “ VCPR” means a relationship where all of the following conditions have been met:

(6) “ Veterinary clinic” means any premises to which animals are brought or where they are temporarily kept, solely for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any illness or injury.