CHRISTINE'S CRITTERS

​Christine’s Critters is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and ill birds of prey. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and veterinary technician, Christine is committed to advancing wildlife medicine and improving outcomes for raptor rehabilitation. Each year we rescue over 150 patients with the primary goal of returning them to the wild.

 

Our facility is fully equipped to provide comprehensive medical care for a wide range of injuries and conditions. We work closely with veterinary professionals to assess and treat raptors suffering from a variety of ailments including fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, eye damage, impalements, lead poisoning, rodenticide toxicity, and more. Critical care patients receive fluid therapy, pain management, oxygen administration, nutritional support, and surgical procedures as needed to maximize their chances of recovery.

 

​Following stabilization, raptors enter our rehabilitation enclosures, where they gradually regain strength and mobility. Our facility features spacious flight cages for exercise and muscle rebuilding, along with access to a creance line—recognized as the gold standard in raptor conditioning—to ensure birds are fully prepared for successful reintroduction to the wild.

While our primary mission is always release, some birds sustain injuries too severe for independent survival. In these cases, if the bird can thrive in captivity, we work to secure permanent placement at accredited nature centers and educational institutions, where they serve as ambassadors for conservation.

 

During nesting season, we are at the ready and fully equipped to triage, stabilize, and reunite fallen nestling raptors with their parents whenever possible. Our team carefully assesses each nestling’s condition upon intake, providing immediate supportive care, including hydration, nutrition, and warmth in one of our Baby Warm Incubators, which maintain optimal temperature and humidity for neonatal raptors. Whenever feasible, we prioritize reuniting healthy chicks with their parents through renesting, ensuring they receive the best possible start in the wild. If re-nesting is not an option, we place them with a conspecific foster parent to prevent imprinting and support their natural behavioral development, ultimately increasing their chances of successful release.

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The majority of the birds we care for have been injured due to human-related causes, including vehicle collisions, window strikes, poisoning, and habitat destruction. Connecticut is a densely populated, increasingly developed, and road-intersected state, posing significant challenges to local wildlife. By rehabilitating and releasing injured raptors whenever possible, we actively work to offset the human impact on these vital species, ensuring they continue to play their essential roles in maintaining ecological balance.