Our Staff, Board & Partners

Our Staff

Executive Director (Volunteer)

Kristin Fletcher

Kristin has been WRARI's Executive Director since 1999. Her leadership and commitment has made WRARI what it is today. Kristin Holds a Level 2X license.

Animal Care Coordinator

Elisha Zonfrilli

Elisha volunteered at the Wildlife Clinic for two years before accepting the position of Animal Care Coordinator. She holds a Level 2X license.

Wildlife Technician

Sam Ward

Sam was a volunteer for three years before accepting a part-time staff position at the Wildlife Clinic. Sam has a special affinity for working with raptors. Sam holds a Level 2X license.

Veterinarian (Volunteer)

Dr. Chi Chan, DVM

Dr. Chan provides day-to-day veterinary care and oversight of the Wildlife Clinic as well as for all of our in-home private Wildlife Rehabilitators. She is a licensed wildlife rehabber and specializes in critical care patients.

Veterinarian (Volunteer)

Dr. Meredith Bird, DVM

One of the original founders of WRARI, Dr. Bird remains dedicated to helping wildlife. She provides surgical and specialty care to WRARI's wildlife patients. Dr. Bird is a licensed wildlife rehabber.

Wildlife Technician

Mariah Smith

Mariah has been an invaluable and dedicated member of the WRARI team since 2012. Mariah holds a Level 2 license and she specializes in pigeons & small mammals.

Wildlife Technician

Olivia LaPorte

Olivia joined the team part-time in 2018 and has hit the ground running. She holds a Level 1 license and loves working with all of our wildlife patients.

Office Manager

Kim Parente

Kim joined the WRARI team as our part-time Office Manager in 2018 and helps keep everything and everyone in-line and on track. She also rehabs wildlife and holds a Level 2 license.

If you are interested in joining our Board please contact us at riwildliferehab@gmail.com

Our Partners in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Westerly, RI

Born to be Wild

Nature Center

Since opening its doors in 1998, Born to Be Wild has been dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with a specialized focus on Raptor Rehabilitation and Education. BTBW is home to seven Raptors whose injures rendered them unreleasable but who act as education ambassadors in BTBW's educational programs.

Born To Be Wild

Saunderstown, RI

Veterinary

Services of Wickford

VSW is the veterinary practice of WRARI founder, Dr. Meredith Bird. Through her practice Dr. Bird helps hundreds of wild and domestic animals and has been an asset to the animal community in Rhode Island. VSW is a full service veterinary practice that caters to a variety of clientele including cats and dogs, as well as small animals, exotic birds and reptiles.

VSW

West Place Animal Sanctuary

Tiverton, RI

Founded in 2007, West Place Animal Sanctuary provides a home to domestic farm animals that have been neglected or abused and the rehabilitation of injured and/or orphaned waterfowl and game birds like Wild Turkeys, Canada Geese and wild ducks.

West Place

Ocean State

Veterinary Specialists

East Greenwich, RI

OSVS is the leading 24 hour emergency veterinary hospital in Rhode Island. OSVS intakes wildlife when the Wildlife Clinic is closed and provides care until animals can be picked up by Wildlife Clinic staff and volunteers the following day. They also assist in providing very specialized surgical and diagnostic care to wildlife when needed.

OSVS

It takes a village to meet the needs of the thousands of animals that come to WRARI for care. We couldn't do this alone and are grateful for the support of our partner organizations.

Creature Conserve

Providence, RI

Founded by WRARI's Board Chair, Dr. Lucy Spelman, Creature Conserve is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing artists and scientists together to foster sustained support for animal conservation. Through the artists' works, the science of saving species and the importance of taking a one-health approach to conservation becomes accessible, meaningful, and relevant—and the source of positive change.

Creature Conserve