Ninety-two percent. According to the Barrington Partnership for Animal Welfare, 92 percent of the cats and dogs impounded by the town last year -- a total of 56 cats and 19 dogs -- were euthanized. That's far too high, said Cindy Larson, one of the founders of BPAW.

Ms. Larson and a group of other Barrington residents recently formed the non-profit animal welfare group and have been working hard to remedy a number of issues in town. Reducing the euthanasia rate is one of their goals.

Official figures from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the town's finance department -- although they differ dramatically (see associated story) -- both show high "kill rates" for cats and dogs impounded.

Members of BPAW said in a press release that they "are fed up with the status quo (in Barrington) -- wholesale killing of strays, owners facing endless barriers to being reunited with lost pets, calls to animal control going unreturned, injured animals left suffering for up to an hour while union protocols outweighed humane response ..."

The group said it is determined to improve the situation in Barrington. Since it formed in August, BPAW has already been involved in some changes -- the town is using two new locations to shelter stray cats and dogs, found pets are now being listed on petfinder.com, and fund-raisers are planned to help bankroll future work for the group.

"The volunteers who are part of our group all believe that this town is filled with compassionate residents who will share our views that Barrington should be leading the way in humane practices and programs," Ms. Larson said.

High rate of euthanasia

According to information from Rhode Island DEM's Division of Agriculture, Barrington impounded eight dogs and 22 cats in 2006. It euthanized all eight dogs and 20 of the cats. (Figures from the town's finance department show that Barrington impounded 21 dogs and 59 cats in 2006; billing records show the town euthanized 20 dogs and 57 cats.)

"That percentage is very high," Ms. Larson said. "It is by far the highest in the state. It (the euthanasia rate) wasn't the sole impetus [for forming the group], but it pushed us over the cliff ... I was completely appalled when I heard about the number of animals being killed."

Ms. Larson said she worked with some other residents, including veterinarian Dr. Vered Bar, to form the group. Their focus, Ms. Larson said, is to reduce the euthanasia rate and instead reunite owners with their lost pets or place strays in new homes.

"We're trying to end unnecessary euthanasia," Dr. Bar said last week. "As long as the animals can be adopted, there's no reason why they should euthanized.

"The numbers are troubling, especially with dogs. There aren't dogs running around Barrington wild. Those dogs were owned by someone. We don't have a huge feral population in town."

BPAW members met with Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis and Police Chief John LaCross earlier this year and some changes have already taken effect. All stray cats and dogs impounded by the town were previously sent to Abbott Animal Hospital in Rehoboth, but now cats are being sent to Harbor Animal Hospital on Maple Avenue, and dogs are sent to the East Providence Animal Shelter.

Picked-up strays are also being scanned for micro-chips, which relay owner information, and their photos are being posted on the group's website (www.barringtonpaw.org) and on petfinder.com.

"We are happy with the progress being made, but there is still so much more to be done," Ms. Larson said.

No pet shelter in Barrington

According to town officials, state law requires that strays are kept for at least five days before they are euthanized. In Barrington, that minimum was often adhered to closely.

BPAW officials are raising money in order to pay for longer stays at Harbor Animal Hospital and at the East Providence Animal Shelter. BPAW's press release stated that taxpayers will not feel the pinch of the nonprofit group's work.

"From the beginning our group has been committed to working towards the implementation of programs that are cost neutral for the town but that greatly enhance the well-being of companion animals and their caregivers," Ms. Larson said.

Some people are looking into the future for ways to improve the town's handling of stray cats and dogs, including exploring the possibility of creating an animal shelter in Barrington.

Warren, Bristol and East Providence all have town-sponsored shelters, while Barrington does not. Janet Stone, director of Barrington Services for Animals, said she made a push for a shelter in town years ago, but encountered a lot of resistance. She said a shelter would help solve some of the town's problems with strays, but that it would also likely have some drawbacks.

"People from all over will end up dropping animals there," she said. "If we're going to have a shelter, it has to be done a certain way. We need to control it."

Ms. Larson said the current situation -- where cats and dogs are sent to two different facilities -- is not perfect, but it fills the need right now. She said since the new system was established, two cats were picked up and one was reunited with its owner. No animals have been unnecessarily euthanized, she said.

"It's going pretty well right now," she said. "We (members of BPAW) all work full-time, so it's hard."

Ms. Larson said the group plans to keep working for the welfare of animals in town.

"I am very grateful to have found so many other residents who are willing to be part of the solution."

By Josh Bickford

jbickford@eastbaynewspapers.com