Local Wildlife Clinic Gives Animals a Chance

For animals in need, there's only one place in Rhode Island that does it all. Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island (WRARI) is the only medical/rehabilitation facility for wildlife in the state, nursing everything from hawks to squirrels back to health.

Established in 1994, WRARI is located at 25 Shermantown Road in Saunderstown, right off Route 1. This winter, WRARI has been hopping.

“This winter has been much busier than usual," said Dr. Chi Chan, vice president on the WRARI’s Board of Directors and one of its most active rehabilitators.  "We have on average six animals in the hospital per day. Lots of waterfowls (geese and ducks) and raptors (hawks and owl), which are bigger and easier to find. This is a tough winter. Everything is starving.”

Of course, answering the call on injured wildlife is a year-round endeavor. According to Dr. Chan, the clinic’s busiest time of year typically runs from mid-March to late fall and is referred to as “baby season.”

“The cruel reality of nature tells us an accidental death of a wild parent means a premature death for all of her babies after her passing," said Chan. "If they get lucky and are found and brought to us, we will raise the little helpless creatures, allowing them to be wild even under our care, so that they have a good chance of living. We release them when they are self-sufficient.”

The organization receives plenty of calls about wild animals in need of assistance. Frequently, those callers are encouraged to bring the animals into the clinic for professional care when the situation is appropriate.

“The stress of an injury and being captured can be overwhelming,” Chan said. “An untrained person trying to do good sometimes can do more harm, [such as catching] aspiration pneumonia from trying to give the sick animal water. And, a simple fracture can turn into a non-repairable broken wing or leg when the animal struggles under stress.  All our staff and rehabilitators have received training and hold special permits, strictly regulated by RI DEM (Dept. of Environmental Management).”

One of Chan’s favorite experiences while serving at the clinic was nursing a baby beaver back to health last year. She also participated in the return of the baby to its home beaver dam and was able to watch from a cover of foliage as the baby was accepted by the resident adult beavers.

Although WRARI is licensed and regulated by the state and federal governments (federal permits are required to take care of migratory birds), the government provides no funding for the organization. Thus, the clinic relies on private donations (in addition to money, old bath towels, baby blankets, grocery store gift cards, paper towels and box of tissues are welcomed) and fundraising events to buy food supplies and medications.

“We spent over $10,000 on worms last year,” Chan said. “We try to provide a natural diet for all the animals under our care.”

The next fundraiser for the organization will take place on Saturday, March 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. Held at the Washington Masonic Lodge Center in North Kingstown, the event will feature a buffet dinner prepared by Chef Craig Mitchell, musical entertainment provided by Gary Wright and a presentation by Bill Betty, a local mountain lion advocate who covers all aspects of cougar behavior, including their recent re-occupation of the northeast.

Tickets are $50 each with all proceeds from the event will go directly towards the cost of care and medical support for the many wild birds and mammals at the clinic. For ticket reservations or donations, please contact the Wildlife Clinic at (401) 294-6363 or purchase online at http://www.riwildliferehab.org/newsevents.html.