Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

08/29/2025

Still time to register for the golf tournament September 14th! See you on the green 💚

⛳️ Join Us on the Green for Wildlife! 🐿️🦉
There’s still time to register or become a sponsor for our Annual Charity Golf Tournament on September 14, benefiting the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island!

Enjoy a fun-filled day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back, all while supporting the rescue, care, and release of injured and orphaned wild animals across our state.

🌿 All proceeds go directly toward lifesaving medical care and rehabilitation for wildlife in need.

📅 Spots are filling fast, don’t miss your chance to make a real impact!
Follow the links below👇

Register for Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island's event
👉 https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=203780097&blm_aid=121160

Link to sponsor event
👉🏼https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=204994560&blm_aid=121160

08/27/2025

❄️ The critters aren’t the only ones adjusting to shorter days! Starting September 1, our fall/winter hours will be Monday–Friday 9–5 and Saturday & Sunday 9–2. For assistance or advice regarding any wildlife species, give us a call at 401-294-6363, before we all hibernate for the evening! 🐿️✨

08/26/2025

✨ Patient Highlight of the Week: Green Heron ✨

This Green Heron nestling has had quite the journey! He was brought to us after surviving a hawk attack, and from the very start he showed us just how feisty and determined he was. With a strong appetite for fish, he made a full recovery, grew up well, and is now thriving outside in a pre-release enclosure, complete with his very own fishing pool! 🐟💚

Did you know? Green Herons are one of the few bird species known to use tools, they’ve been seen dropping insects, twigs, or even feathers on the water’s surface to lure fish within striking distance. These small but mighty herons are masters of patience and stealth when it comes to catching their prey.

We’re so proud of this little survivor as he takes the next steps toward his return to the wild!

08/25/2025

🐾 Bobcat Update! 🐾
Big milestones for our baby bobcats this week! On Thursday, after their vaccinations and check-ups, both were moved into an outdoor enclosure together. The little one with the fractured leg had follow-up X-rays that showed great news, the bone is calcified nicely!

They’re eating well, as feisty as ever, and getting along beautifully. As healing continues, we’ll keep adding more climbing structures and enrichment to their space so they can build strength and practice their wild skills.

Stay tuned, these spicy siblings are growing fast and thriving in their wild journey! 🐱✨

08/24/2025

🐢✨ Two big announcements! ✨🐢

Our very first turtle hatchling of the season has arrived, a spotted turtle! 🌱 Did you know spotted turtles can live for over 50 years in the wild?

We’re currently monitoring about 100 more eggs from various species, checking them daily as we wait for more tiny hatchlings to make their debut. This season has been a little slower than usual, so we’re moving our Blessing of the Turtles event to September 28 to give everyone the best chance to see these little miracles.

Stay tuned for updates, and follow along as more hatchlings arrive! 💛🐢

08/23/2025

Meet Our New Education Ambassador! 🦉

We’re so excited to introduce our education ambassador a Great Horned Owl who has been with us since he was just a tiny nestling. He came to the clinic after falling from his nest with two broken wings and also battled lead poisoning and potential rodenticide poisoning.

Against all odds, this little fighter pulled through! 🙌 While his bones have healed, the damage means he can’t achieve the perfectly silent flight needed to survive in the wild. For that reason, he will stay with us as a permanent resident and education ambassador, helping teach the community about wildlife and conservation.

The best part? He can fly, something we weren’t sure would ever be possible when he first arrived. Now he’s enjoying new adventures every day, and we can’t wait for you to get to know him too. 💛

📸 Here’s a photo dump of his incredible journey growing up with us over the past five months.

💬 We need your help naming him! Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’ll choose our favorites and create a poll so you can vote on his official name!

08/15/2025

🐾 Teaming Up for Bobcat Conservation in Rhode Island 🐾
Meet one of two bobcats currently in our care! Our Lead Veterinarian, Dr. Blaine Hymel, is partnering with the University of Rhode Island’s Quest Lab and Dr. Kathleen Carroll, Assistant Professor of Applied Quantitative Ecology, to track bobcats across the state.

This collaborative project will reveal where these elusive predators live, how they travel, and how they use their habitat. Dr. Hymel’s veterinary expertise ensures every bobcat is handled safely and with minimal stress, while URI’s research will provide vital insights to protect them for generations to come.

📍 Rhode Island’s wild side just got a little more understood.

Stay tuned and follow for updates on our baby bobcats coming soon!

08/14/2025

Wildlife Education Takes Flight! 🦉📚
This spring, we launched our brand-new third-grade wildlife education program at Kingston Hill Academy! Students explored:
✨ The vital work of wildlife rehabilitators
✨ How wild animals differ from domestic pets
✨ The challenges & rewards of caring for injured and orphaned wildlife

The program wrapped up with a special classroom visit from our Lead Veterinarian and Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, who demonstrated an intake exam using a domestic pigeon. 🕊️

The students’ curiosity and thoughtful questions reminded us why education is so important, we’re building the next generation of wildlife advocates. 💚

We’re bringing this program to more schools this fall! To learn more or request a visit, contact our Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, Olivia Harrington.

08/11/2025

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Bethany & Gavin 🌟
Meet Bethany and Gavin, a mother–son duo who joined the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island on March 10 of this year!

Gavin is pursuing a career in marine biology and wanted hands-on experience working with animals. Bethany spotted a subpermittee training post on Facebook, and after a few filled classes (and a pandemic delay), they finally signed up together and we’re so glad they did!

Favorite part of volunteering?
Bethany: “We’ve met amazing people here—smart, dedicated, and generous with their knowledge. We’ve learned so much.”
Gavin: “It’s great to spend my energy on something that makes a real, positive impact.”

Favorite animals?
Bethany: “Wading birds, just look at my egret tattoo!”
Gavin: “The new green heron.”
Together they’ve worked with hatchlings, watched them grow strong, and even cared for adult birds like a crow and a woodpecker.

Thank you, Bethany & Gavin, for your dedication, passion, and the care you bring to every patient. We’re lucky to have you on the team!

08/10/2025

Check us out on PBS on an episode of Animal Talk!
Season 4 Episode 6 | 3m 55s
“Karen Kalunian takes a walk on the wild side at the Wildlife Clinic of RI.”

Karen Kalunian takes a walk on the wild side at the Wildlife Clinic of RI.