About Us

Rhode Island Feline Rescue started in 2023 when three friends with a passion
for saving lives came together. We are a local 501(c)3 non-profit, no kill,
foster-based rescue.

Our staff is entirely comprised of wonderful volunteers who are dedicated to supporting our mission by donating their precious time.

We serve community cats and cat families in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Contact us with your questions about fostering, adopting, and volunteering through our rescue organization at info@rifelinerescue.org.

cat high-five paw with family member's hand

Meet the Team

  • Aznif Calikyan

    CO-FOUNDER

    Aznif is a Physician anesthesiologist but after she started fostering a few years ago she regrets that she did not study veterinary medicine. Her experience is with cats, especially pregnant cats and newborns. But she loves all animals including mice. She finds fostering, saving and caring for animals to be the most rewarding experience she has ever had.

  • Nancy Ellen Dyer

    CO-FOUNDER

    Nancy has been involved with animal rescue, specifically feline, for many years. She has overseen adoptions, fostering, social media, fundraising, and more. She currently has one cat, Coop, who was going to be a TNR, but ended up stealing her heart and now often requests belly rubs multiple times a day. If Nancy won the lottery her dream would be to run a sanctuary for rescue animals of all kinds.

  • Anne Williamson

    DIRECTOR

    Anne has been an early childhood special education teacher for over 30 years. She has a deep love and respect for all animals. Senior and special needs animals seem to pull her heartstrings the most. She has been active in animal rescue since the early 1990’s. Anne currently lives with 3 senior/special needs dogs, 2 parrots and 2 cats all of whom are rescues.

  • Katie O'Kane

    POST-ADOPTION CONSULTANT

    Katie is a Library Media Specialist at an elementary school. She likes nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book and a purring feline friend. She recently completed a course in cat behavior counseling through the Humane Society in addition to the Fear Free Shelters course. She has two tabbies, Maeve and Lentil, whose adventures she documents @house.of.maeve.