Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

02/01/2025

Looking for a unique and meaningful way to show your love this Valentine’s Day? Celebrate the season of caring by symbolically adopting one of our wildlife patients through our special crocheted stuffed animal campaign! We’ve teamed up with a talented local artist to create adorable stuffed animals inspired by the real patients at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island.

When you make a donation in honor of your loved one, they’ll receive:
A Hand-Crocheted Stuffed Animal (choose from three sizes!)
An Official Adoption Certificate recognizing their symbolic adoption
The Warm Fuzzies knowing that 100% of proceeds go directly to caring for wild patients in need
Donation Tiers & Gifts
$35 – Small plush
$50 – Medium plush
$75 – Large plush
Each donation directly supports the treatment and rehabilitation of Rhode Island’s injured and orphaned wildlife. Your gift helps provide medical care, nutrition, and safe shelter until our patients can be released back into the wild.

How It Works
Choose Your Plush Size – Select the small, medium, or large crocheted animal that suits your donation amount.
Provide Your Loved One’s Details – We’ll personalize their Adoption Certificate and send the package straight to their mailbox!
Make a Lasting Impact – Your Valentine’s Day gift brightens your loved one’s day and helps countless wild patients on their road to recovery.
Share the Love
Show the special people in your life that you value compassion, conservation, and cute plush animals! Your kindness will directly benefit our wildlife patients, giving them the second chance they deserve.

Ready to Adopt?
Click the link below or on instagram click the link in our bio, select your donation level, and complete your symbolic adoption today. Together, let’s spread love not only to those close to our hearts but also to the wild creatures that call Rhode Island home.
Thank you for supporting the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island! Happy Valentine’s Day from our team and all the animals you help.

01/23/2025

Another successful release! This Barred Owl was brought us several days ago after a minor collision with a car. He came in dazed but luckily sustained no major injuries or head trauma. With several days of meds and monitoring, he recovered beautifully and we were able to get him back home.

The first video was taken during his intake exam and shows him vocalizing his distress. The photo was taken during his pre-release conditioning, during which we monitored to ensure he was able to maintain quiet flight and strong calculated landings, and then release!

01/21/2025

It’s 🐿️and we’re here for it, like we are every day of the year! In 2024, the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island and our supported Rehabbers took in and provided care to over 500 squirrels!
🌰
Worldwide, there are about 258 species of squirrels and 5 of those species call Rhode Island home: the Eastern Grey Squirrel, the Red Squirrel, the Chipmunk, the Southern Flying Squirrel, and, interestingly enough, the Woodchuck which falls into the ground squirrel family.
🥜
We know squirrels aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they serve vital roles in our ecosystems - from their natural place in the food web to their industrious planting of tree seeds helping to keep our forests flourishing. So on this Squirrel Appreciation Day, here’s some ways to enjoy our industrious but squirrelly little wildlife neighbors:
🐿️
1. Just take some time to yourself (because why not?) to watch these resilient creatures capitalize and survive on the resources available to them@in urban environments (and employ humane hazing techniques, rather than lethal trapping, to move them along if they accidentally get in your space.
🌰
2. Squirrels don’t just eat nuts, so if you’re planning your spring landscaping, plan using native plants to help support your wild neighbors (not just squirrels will benefit) and help keep them out of your bird feeders!
🥜
3. If you are using bird feeders, remember that they are essentially buffets and be kind - no one turns down a good buffet! Baffles and “hot” seed are good ways to keep squirrels at bay from your feeders.
Z.
And if you really your squirrels the way we do, you can help us help them by symbolically adopting one of our squirrel patients for !: https://www.riwildliferehab.org/valentines

01/17/2025

Looking for a unique and meaningful way to show your love this Valentine’s Day? Celebrate the season of caring by symbolically adopting one of our wildlife patients through our special crocheted stuffed animal campaign! We’ve teamed up with a talented local artist to create adorable stuffed animals inspired by the real patients at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island.

When you make a donation in honor of your loved one, they’ll receive:
* A Hand-Crocheted Stuffed Animal (choose from three sizes!)
* An Official Adoption Certificate recognizing their symbolic adoption
* The Warm Fuzzies knowing that 100% of proceeds go directly to caring for wild patients in need
Donation Tiers & Gifts
* $35 – Small plush
* $50 – Medium plush
* $75 – Large plush
Each donation directly supports the treatment and rehabilitation of Rhode Island’s injured and orphaned wildlife. Your gift helps provide medical care, nutrition, and safe shelter until our patients can be released back into the wild.

How It Works
1. Choose Your Plush Size – Select the small, medium, or large crocheted animal that suits your donation amount.
2. Provide Your Loved One’s Details – We’ll personalize their Adoption Certificate and send the package straight to their mailbox!
3. Make a Lasting Impact – Your Valentine’s Day gift brightens your loved one’s day and helps countless wild patients on their road to recovery.

Share the Love❤️
Show the special people in your life that you value compassion, conservation, and cute plush animals! Your kindness will directly benefit our wildlife patients, giving them the second chance they deserve.

01/16/2025

We are thrilled to announce that the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Avangrid Foundation to support our soon-to-be-built outdoor aquatic enclosure. We are deeply grateful to the Avangrid Foundation for their generous support in making this project a reality. This new aquatic enclosure represents more than just a structure—it’s an investment in the health of Rhode Island’s wildlife and a testament to the power of community partnerships.

With this state-of-the-art facility, we will be able to provide specialized care for river otters, beavers, minks, muskrats, and diving sea birds, helping them regain their strength and readiness to return to the wild. Ultimately, this enclosure will enhance our ability to ensure these animals receive the best possible care, while also fostering greater awareness and respect for the ecosystems we share. Thank you, Avangrid Foundation, for making a vital difference in the future of Rhode Island’s wildlife!

01/15/2025

Look at this ruddy duck! No, someone from England has not taken over our socials. This waterfowl is a ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis). After a winter storm forced him to land on the ground in Portsmouth, he became stranded and was unable to get back to water. Ruddy ducks need to run along the surface of water in order to become airborne. Their legs are too far back on their body, which makes it difficult for them to generate enough force to take off from land. Luckily, he ended up at our clinic where he was able to rest, eat, and build up his strength. After a few days, he was successfully released!

01/06/2025

Remember our spotted salamander with the knee injury? Well we’re happy to report that the injury is fully healed! We will be providing care for the remainder of the winter season and release will be scheduled once we have a steady window of warm weather in the spring. In the meantime, our little friend’s medical care has now turned into an extended spa treatment where he will be spoiled with free meals (insects), steam treatment (humidifier in his enclosure to keep it moist and humid), and weekly soaks (great for hydration)!

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

**EDIT** Training is full and registration is now closed.

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.