In 1929, the Potter League for Animals was founded under the name, “Newport County League for Animals” in order to take charge of abandoned, sick, lame, overworked or cruelly treated animals.

Almost 90 years later, the Potter League cares for between 1,800 – 2,200 dogs, cats, and small mammals as the animal shelter of Newport County.

Brad Shear, Executive Director of Potter League for Animals, joined Ryan Belmore and Tim Towey today to chat about all that’s happening at the local nonprofit and all that they’re doing these days to make a difference in the lives of animals.

Ryan and Tim were also joined by two local residents, Jamie Davis and Kevin Hagan, who are heading to Super Bowl 52 this weekend.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.