Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

12/29/2024

Update: It has been brought to our attention that this trap is actually a “body hold” trap and may be legal to use in RI. We’ve corrected our post below. Nonetheless, as this situation clearly illustrates, unethical trapping practices lead to animal suffering and we hope those who deploy these devices do so legally and take that responsibility seriously.

Last Saturday night was an all hands on deck kind of night. Early in the evening, one of our wonderful transport volunteers was alerted to an adult raccoon in her Newport neighborhood that had become the unfortunate victim of a poorly executed (and clearly inhumane) body hold trap. The trap was securely stuck on the raccoon’s head, horribly restricting his circulation and breathing.

Since raccoons are a Rabies Vector Species and this was an adult, special handling considerations had to be accounted for. Thankfully, RIDEM had an Environmental Officer available. She quickly responded, contained the raccoon, and transported him to the Wildlife Clinic where our veterinarian, director of operations, and a member of our staff met her.

We immediately sedated the raccoon, cut the trap off his head, and assessed and treated his injuries. As this was an adult raccoon, we needed special permission from RIDEM Fish & Wildlife to treat which they provided. Despite his ordeal, and the significant swelling around his head caused by the trap, this big guy recovered nicely and was able to be released the day after Christmas! 🎄🐾

While we love when everything comes together, it is truly unfortunate that people continue to use these illegal and inhumane traps. Without intervention, this racoon would not have made it and would have suffered. If you know of anyone using these traps illegally, please report to RIDEM Enforcement at 401-222-3070.

We are so grateful for our volunteer who alerted us to the situation and stayed with the raccoon until RIDEM could respond, and for RIDEMs quick response, capture and transport of the racoon to the Wildlife Clinic, and for providing permission to treat.

Caring for our native wildlife takes all of us!

12/25/2024

12/23/2024

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:

Volunteer Transport Network Training

Have you always wanted to help wildlife but can’t make a big commitment? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Half the challenge of providing care to injured and orphaned wildlife is getting them into care. We largely rely on finders to help secure animals and give them a lift to the Wildlife Clinic or one of our home rehabbers but many times this isn’t possible and we’re left scrambling to figure out how to get help for these animals in need.

To meet this challenge, we’re working to expand our volunteer transport network so that every animal gets a chance at survival! The animals pictured in this post were all transported to our clinic by one of our amazing transport volunteers, Jen McCabe.

We will be holding a short training via Zoom on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 6pm -7pm to discuss how our transport network operates for anyone who may be interested and able to help.

You do not need a wildlife rehabilitation permit or license to transport most species - just a car and a desire to help us save lives!

If you or someone you know may be interested in this opportunity, please click the link below to complete the google form registration for the training. Registration for this training will close Sunday, January 12th.

If you have any questions, you can email our volunteer coordinator, Olivia, at [email protected].

Thank you and together we can help !

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZ7vmbTBhVkhowSWS4vEfsXXwlHWRwUxcMkc8QB_TvBFVIZg/viewform

12/14/2024

Are you interested in becoming a Wildlife Rehabber in Rhode Island? In 2025 we are offering 4 options for Subpermittee Trainings. Each training is a 2-day course with a total of 6 hours of formal classroom teaching. You will be sent a manual a week in advance on the care for baby wildlife, such as squirrels, bunnies, and opossums. These trainings set you up with the information needed to become a licensed rehabber in our state. Once you take the course, you will need to take an open-book exam with RIDEM and complete 25 hours of hands on experience, which can be done right here at our clinic!

Sign up here: https://www.riwildliferehab.org/training

12/03/2024

Thank you so much to everyone who is donating to us on ! These donations help us give a second chance to Rhode Island wildlife, like this baby raccoon. The cost of rehabbing a baby at this age until it’s old enough for release is around $500. This covers the cost of vaccines, medications, formula, food, and enrichment. Every year, we rehab anywhere between 50 and 80 baby raccoons! We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without your generosity and kindness.

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=104984576&blm_aid=3546113

12/03/2024

This holiday season, let’s slow down and rediscover what the season is really about—kindness, generosity, and helping those in need, right here in Rhode Island.

At the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island, we see these values every day as we care for animals like foxes, otters, and owls from all corners of the state.

Join us this to spread hope and healing. Your donation directly helps Rhode Island’s injured and orphaned wildlife return to their natural habitats.

Make a gift that matters: https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=104984576&blm_aid=0

Together, we can make this season truly meaningful for the wildlife and people of Rhode Island.

12/02/2024

Feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? This , step away from the shopping frenzy and reconnect with what truly matters: giving back to your Rhode Island community.

At the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island, we care for injured and orphaned wildlife from every city and town across the state. From Block Island to Cumberland, your donation ensures creatures like fox kits, owls, and river otters get a second chance at life.

A small gift can make a big impact:
- $50 enriches the life of a recovering animal.
- $250 feeds mammals and songbirds for a month.
- $1,000 funds critical medical care for animals in need.

Give from the heart today: https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=104984576&blm_aid=0

12/01/2024

A spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) was brought to us a few days ago after being found in someone’s backyard. Typically, salamanders are brumating at this time of year under leaf litter, logs, or rocks and are not seen unless accidentally disturbed. On physical exam, its right hind limb dragged behind abnormally. A small puncture wound with significant swelling was found near the knee and appeared consistent with a cat bite injury. Currently, we are treating with both antibiotics and anti-inflammatories in order to prevent infection, manage discomfort, and decrease swelling. We will frequently reassess the leg to determine extent of the injury and if normal function of it returns once the wound heals and swelling goes down. We are hoping it will be a quick recovery, but if the leg is too damaged there is a chance it may need to be amputated. Fortunately, salamanders have remarkable regenerative abilities and are capable of regrowing a functional limb!

If this is the case, then it will be a long road to recovery for this little guy. Either way, he will spend his winter at the Wildlife Clinic until temperatures are appropriate for release. To help with his recovery and the care for thousands of animals that we take in each year, we hope that you consider donating to our organization this Giving Tuesday. Please share this post or check out the link below to donate.

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_87c19dcd-7a7e-11ea-8134-0ab2f2f28c00&WidgetId=104984576&blm_aid=0

11/28/2024

In the spirit of giving thanks we want to take some time to send our gratitude to our many supporters and donors. Our organization would not be what it is today without your help. As we continue to grow, we develop a need for more enclosures in order to provide the best care for our patients.

This year, we received assistance from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Professor Jennaca Davies and one of her graduate students who came up with a design for an aquatic mammals enclosure. With a generous grant from the Phyllis Kimball Foundation, we will be able to make this enclosure a reality. Having this large of an enclosure with varying vegetation and water sources will allow us to provide a beautiful space for animals such as river otters, beavers, muskrats, seabirds, turtles, and more.

Over the years we have cared for a variety of aquatic mammals. These animals require specific care and caging and although we have had success in the past, this enclosure will make the care for future patients easier and more enjoyable (for them and us!). We cannot thank Professor Davies, her graduate student, and the Phyllis Kimball Foundation enough for helping wildlife in our clinic receive the best possible.

Pictured: baby river otter from 2016, muskrat from 2022, and beaver from 2020

11/27/2024

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) came to us emaciated, dehydrated, and with a lens luxation (lens has become dislodged from its normal position) in his right eye. We suspect rodenticide poisoning to be the cause of the emaciation and dehydration, which led to this poor guy being hit by a car.

After being treated for rodenticide poisoning and being given plenty of fluids, he has finally stabilized. It will be a long road to recovery, but getting him stabilized was the first step! The next step is to get him to Dr. Abrams, an eye specialist, to take a look at his eye injury to determine treatment.

11/26/2024

A reminder to always clean up your fishing line! This ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) came to us wrapped in fishing line with two hooks in his foot and a cut on his wing. He has been with us for 2 weeks now and is improving greatly. We expect to be releasing him very soon with a nice full belly before winter.

11/25/2024

A cat caught flying squirrel was brought to us this morning. Luckily she only has a minor cut on her right ear and we are expecting a very short visit from her. Cats carry a variety of bacteria in their mouths and even minor bites can lead to serious infections. It is crucial to get cat caught wildlife to a rehabber as quickly as possible so antibiotics can be administered. Once this squirrel receives her final dose, we will be releasing her back home.

11/23/2024

Ever wonder how we give meds and hand feed our raptors? We put them in a burrito! Amy, one of our Level 1 rehabbers, has this juvenile red-tailed hawk in a burrito to receive its daily dose of medication. It is being treated for trauma from a vehicle collision 2 weeks ago. After being looked over by our veterinarian, she determined that this hawk had spinal and shoulder trauma. The spinal trauma has been resolved but the shoulder is still tender. We will continue treating this feisty hawk for pain and inflammation until it can fly smoothly and be released.

We want to thank all of our dedicated volunteers and supporters for helping us continue providing these animals with the best care. is right around the corner and if you are looking for a good cause to donate to, we would greatly appreciate your help and support. Visit our website to donate.

https://www.riwildliferehab.org/donate

11/20/2024

Sometimes patients come to us later in the season and need to be overwintered and this opossum is one of them. He came to us 2 weeks ago with a burn the size of a drink coaster on his side. We’re not entirely sure where the burn came from but we believe he may have curled up in someone’s car for warmth and was burned from the engine. The burn is healing slowly, but we are hopeful for his release this Spring when we have warmer weather!

11/19/2024

Great news! All our apparel is 50% off today! Pick a color and logo placement for a shirt, sweatshirt, tank top, or onesie of your choosing. Not interested in apparel? Not a problem! Check back daily, various items are going on sale throughout the week. Click the link below to purchase and thank you for supporting us!

https://pixels.com/art/wildlife+clinic+of+rhode+island

11/13/2024

Baby season has ended and winter is right around the corner! Here’s your reminder to winterize your homes and garages and fill in any holes that critters may use to find shelter. By taking this preventative measure, you’ll encourage these animals to seek shelter elsewhere, therefore finding a permanent shelter rather than potentially being disrupted halfway through the brutal winter.

11/04/2024

An Eastern milk snake came to us last week stuck in a glue trap. After using coconut oil to gently remove it from the sticky trap, we held onto it for a few days for monitoring and mild pain treatment. We gave it a few more warm soaks to make sure the sticky residue was completely removed and once the snake was cleared by our vet, the finder was able to pick it up for release!

Please don’t use glue traps. It is a slow and cruel death for any animal that ends up in one. If you find an animal stuck in a glue trap, get it to a wildlife rehabber immediately. Do not try to remove the animal yourself. It is extremely difficult to safely remove an animal from the sticky glue without causing further injury and should only be done by a professional. Often times the stress alone can lead to the animal’s death, so we want to minimize contact as much as possible.

Found an injured animal? Call the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island for assistance at 401-294-6363 🐍

11/02/2024

Don’t know what to do with your pumpkins after Halloween? 🎃 Put them in your backyard for the wildlife!