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
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.
Our Board of Directors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.