On Aug. 19, Defenders of Animals held their annual Homeless Animals Day Candlelight Vigil & Humane Award Ceremony at Sprague Mansion. It was a beautiful evening for the crowd who attended to enjoy a common goal: the love of animals as well as enjoy musical entertainment by Scarlett.

The Rhode Island-based non-profit has endorsed pro-animal legislation on the national, state, and local levels since 1978, and many of its accomplishments were highlighted during the vigil held on the back lawn of Sprague Mansion in Cranston.

“We have always believed in this credo: ‘The smaller the victim, the bigger the crime,’” said Dennis Tabella, director of Defenders of Animals. “I have always taken the side of the underdog, and there is no greater underdog than the dogs and cats that are waiting for homes at our shelters or those poor souls that walk the streets and throughout our neighborhoods without the love and security from a human being.”

Approximately 50 guests were in attendance to celebrate a host of award winners presented by Defenders of Animals.

Recipients of Humane Heroes Awards were Joe Solomon, Warwick City Council President, Michelle Marie Rose (volunteer with Defenders of Animals), Attorney and Warwick City Councilman Jeremy Rix who is an associate in the Providence office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, Joseph DePasquale of the East Bay Community Action Program’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Keri Cronin was elected as the first woman to serve on the Warren Town Council and now is the Vice President of the Warren Town Council, Former Warwick City Council President Carlo Pisaturo along with his wife Trudy Pisaturo and Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato.

Everyone who received this recognition has made a positive impact on animals throughout Rhode Island.

“The Homeless Animals Day/Candlelight Vigil is held in conjunction with the International Society for Animal Rights campaign and serves as an opportunity for animal advocates from around Rhode Island to band together on a special day and jumpstart new spay/neuter/adoption campaigns while rekindling existing programs in their communities that raise awareness about pet overpopulation,” Tabella said.

In addition to legislation, Defenders of Animals works very closely with the SNYPP Clinic in Pascoag, which is operated by the Humane Association of Northwestern RI, for its low-cost spay/neuter program. The collaboration between Defenders of Animals as allowed over 1,000 cats to be spayed/neutered. The Humane Association of Northwestern RI has spayed and neutered over 5,000 dogs and cats at a low cost.

“Defenders of Animals, Inc., is dedicated to keeping the issue of dog and cat overpopulation before the public. It’s crucial that Rhode Islanders have their cats and dogs spayed/neutered and support local organizations that work toward keeping the pet population down so that municipal and private shelters do not have to euthanize animal due to over population issues. Defenders of Animals will continue to encourage Rhode Islanders to adopt from their local municipal and private shelters animal shelters and local organizations that are involved in finding homes for Rhode Islander dogs and cats,” said Tabella.

Defenders of Animals also works very closely with the Warwick Animal Hospital regarding medical emergencies with cats and dogs.

“Rhode Island still destroys hundreds and hundreds of cats and dogs every year. We are looking forward to the day when R.I. can become a no-kill state like Delaware,” said Tabella.

Just some of the events to raised funds or awareness by Defenders of Animals are Defenders of Animals events including: bake sales, pasta fest, car shows, pet and people photos with Santa/Easter Bunny, bowl-a-thons, adoption days at Pet Supplies Plus, dog walking at West Warwick Animal Shelter and rescuing dogs and cats.

“Something good happens every time we hold this annual event – another cat or dog finds a home, another member helps to foster a dog or cat, or someone new volunteers to help out at an event,” said Tabella.

To become involved with Defenders of Animals, contact Dennis Tabella at 461-1922 Defenders of Animals, Inc., or email defendersofanimals@msn.com.