Fall Meeting 2026

Join the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association for a full day of education, discussion, and connection with wildlife rehabilitators and other wildlife professionals from across the region.

Whether you are a new rehabilitator, have years of experience, or work alongside the rehabilitation community, the CWRA Fall Meeting is an opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, and connect with others dedicated to the care of Connecticut’s wildlife.

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Mattatuck Museum
144 W Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702

Doors open at 8:15 AM for registration and morning refreshments.
The program will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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Registration

$40 – CWRA Members | Advance Registration
Includes morning refreshments, buffet lunch, all-day coffee, and afternoon snacks.

$65 – Non-Members | Advance Registration
Includes morning refreshments, buffet lunch, all-day coffee, and afternoon snacks.

$75 – Day-of / Walk-In Registration
Includes morning refreshments, buffet lunch, all-day coffee, and afternoon snacks.

Morning refreshments, buffet lunch, all-day coffee, and afternoon snacks are included with all registrations, a $40 value!

Please note: CWRA membership status will be verified for all registrations using the member rate.

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2026 Topics & Speakers

This year’s Fall Meeting will feature presentations covering wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, and issues affecting rehabilitators and wildlife throughout Connecticut and beyond.

Challenging Our Assumptions and Improving Our Protocols!

Emergency Care of Sick and Injured Wildlife
Dr. Raina Shunk, South Wilton Veterinary Group
This presentation will focus on identifying emergent issues during wildlife intake, useful skills for stabilization, and when and how urgently to seek veterinary care. Discussion will focus on small mammals, birds, and some reptiles and amphibians.

Tracking the Fate of Window-Struck and Captive-Raised Birds Post-Release Dr. Cailin O’Connor, PhD, Kean University, New Jersey
This dissertation study tracked the fate of hundreds of window-struck and rehabilitated passerines, yielding fascinating insight into the needs of birds treated in captivity. This talk underscores how scientific findings can challenge our assumptions and improve our rehabilitation protocols.

The Growing Threat of Anticoagulant Pesticides in Connecticut
Learn how second generation anticoagulant rodenticides are affecting wildlife, what to do if you receive a suspected case, and how to join a newly launched town-by-town effort to ban these poisons.

• Christine Cummings, A Place Called Hope, Killingworth
• Lisa Shirk, Newtown Conservation Commission
• Annie Hornish, Humane World for Animals

Case Scenarios in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Dr. Rob Adamski, Consulting Wildlife Veterinarian, IWRC & WRAM
Real-life challenging veterinary cases will be presented as the audience interactively explores how to diagnose, handle, and treat these cases

Handling Emaciation Cases
Dr. Shary Parker, Wildlife Veterinarian, Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
The challenge of emaciation: how to diagnose, treat and what NOT to do. Emaciation is being found with alarming frequency and in many species we handle.

Top Ten Common Problems Seen in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Dr. Rob Adamski, Consulting Wildlife Veterinarian, IWRC and WRAM

A humbling look at common mistakes encountered in wildlife rehabilitation and ways to improve our practices and protocols.

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Parking

There are three parking options available near the Mattatuck Museum. Parking can be a bit tricky, so do use the information below.

Museum Parking Lot
For the museum’s main parking lot, enter 26 Park Place, Waterbury, CT into your GPS.

YMCA Parking Lot
Once the museum lot is full, additional parking is available at the YMCA adjacent to the museum.

Gaffney Lot
The Gaffney Lot is also available as an additional parking option.

For additional parking and directions information, visit the Mattatuck Museum’s Getting Here: https://www.mattmuseum.org/visit/getting-here/

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Come ready to learn, ask questions, share experiences, and spend the day with others who understand the challenges and rewards of wildlife rehabilitation.

Please note: All Fall Meeting registrations are final. We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges.