By WPRO News

North Providence, Smithfield and Johnston will try a shared approach to caring for stray animals, as the three communities opened a new animal shelter Thursday.

The $2.2 million Tri-Town Animal Shelter on Smithfield Road in North Providence is just a few yards from the Smithfield town line, and a sun-splashed ribbon-cutting capped an opening ceremony attended by Gov. Dan McKee and dignitaries from the three towns.

“I am so happy that we were able to accomplish this,” said North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that in the years to come, per year, all the communities will be saving a considerable amount of money.”

Dogs, cats and even a snake already populate the shelter, which includes visitation rooms for people who may want to adopt animals, an examination room for veterinarians, who are expected to come in to conduct examinations twice a week.

There is also office space for five animal control officers from the three communities, isolation rooms for animals in quarantine, a spacious run for dogs outdoors and more.

While other regionalization efforts have failed in the past, Gov. Dan McKee applauded this three-town latest endeavor, calling it “a good, common-sense thing in terms of creating regional strategies to help deliver services.”