SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 10:00am-1:00pm

Open to licensed rehabilitators and those interested in pursuing their license, Caring for Orphaned Mammals will introduce you to many aspects of caring for mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, & opossums. You will learn the steps to take from intake to release, including initial stabilization, formula feeding, weaning, and how to avoid “rehab fails” from an experienced wildlife rehabilitator.

TO REGISTER:
You must register via link in each class, responding on Facebook does not register you!

Link to register for Wildlife Rehabilitation: Introduction to Mammals: https://forms.gle/UT9rchzQ66LqQJPK8

The Zoom link will be sent out a few days before the class. Please note that this session will not be recorded and attendance is limited to 60 participants.

These zoom classes are free but donations are appreciated! Just put “Class” in the memo section.
Paypal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick…
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

Meet your instructor:
Cara Huffman, founding member of North Country Wild Care, is a Veterinary Technician at Schroon River Animal Hospital and NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator who has been working with wildlife for over 30 years. In 2022 Cara was honored with the NYSWRC’s “Vet Tech of the Year” award for tireless service to wildlife. Originally rehabbing in California, Cara moved to New York in 2000, immediately hooked up with local rehabilitators, and got her NYS rehab license. Cara primarily rehabs mammals and birds from tiny hummingbird nestlings to the beloved bald eagle, from ‘pinky’ opossum neonates to countless orphaned squirrels, foxes, skunks, ermines, woodchucks, black bears and bobcats, with the occasional reptile and amphibian!
Favorite species to rehab: weasels, baby skunks, neonate squirrels, opossums, & American kestrels.

Friday, April 18, 2026 1:00pm – 5:00pm

 Celebrate Earth Day weekend with us at Common Roots Brewing at 58 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls, NY! 🦉🦫🚲. Enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious food, exciting raffles & bike auctions, AND a special appearance by our favorite live educational birds and Bo the beaver! 🦉🦫🚲

(Our educational animals are courtesy of our cherished NCWC members at Silent Wings – raptor educational programs https://www.silentwingsraptors.org/ 🦉🦅; and Wild for Life https://www.wildforlifeinc.org/🦫)

All proceeds go directly toward caring for injured and orphaned wildlife in our area. Come support a great cause and have a fantastic time!

We can’t wait to see you there! 

https://commonrootsbrewing.com/

SUNDAY, MAY 3rd 1:00pm – 4:00pm

NOTE: Open to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, those who passed the State rehabilitation exam in March 2026, & those who have registered for the June 2026 exam. Free to NCWC members. A minimum donation of $20 is requested from non-members.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1600750
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

Road mortality is a significant cause of freshwater turtle population decline. Wildlife rehabilitators can help injured turtles survive. In this class you will learn to identify native turtle species, get a supply list to prepare for your first turtle patient, learn basic turtle anatomy, get step-by-step instructions for intake, stabilization, and wound care, gain a basic understanding of husbandry for healing turtles, and review release criteria. Bonus information includes egg incubation and considerations for wood turtles and box turtles.

Instructor: Debbie Philp is a NYS licensed wildlife rehabilitator who has specialized in turtles since 2018. With her turtle ambassadors, she provides public education programs through Dancing Turtle Rescue, a small nonprofit dedicated to saving native freshwater turtles and their wetland habitats. Debbie is a rehabilitator member of North Country Wild Care and is currently serving on their board of directors. She has presented at the NYS Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference and NYSWRC’s online herp rehabilitation symposium.

TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/tfqM4fCQGvYQEY5j8

LOCATION: South Glens Falls Fire Company, 361 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY, off of Exit 17 of the Northway. 

SATURDAY, MAY 9th 11:00am – 6:00pm

North Country Wild Care will be at the Colonie Center Mother’s Day Craft & Vendor Show! 

Stop by and visit with us between 11am–6pm to meet some of our live educational wildlife ambassadors. This is a great opportunity to get up close, learn about the incredible wildlife that shares our region, and hear about the work our rehabbers do to help injured and orphaned animals.

Whether you love wildlife, want to learn something new, or are just looking for a fun way to spend the day, we’d love to see you there!

Come say hello, ask questions, and discover how you can help make a difference for wildlife in our community.

SATURDAY, MAY 9th, 2026 10:00am-1:00pm

NOTE: Open to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, those who passed the State rehabilitation exam in March 2026, & those who have registered for the June 2026 exam. Free to NCWC members. A minimum donation of $20 is requested from non-members.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1600750
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

Come learn what to expect when rehabbing one of our most common intakes. Whether this is your first year rehabbing squirrels or your 20th, this workshop is beneficial to all levels of experience!

Tentative Agenda:

Part 1: A general introduction to tree squirrels, mainly focusing on Grey Squirrels but Red Squirrels & Flying Squirrels will be briefly touched upon. Topics to be covered include: determining age, feeding schedules, housing, formulas, & enrichment; as well as common problems such as diarrhea, genital sucking, & aspiration pneumonia.

Instructor: Cara Huffman. Cara, founding member of North Country Wild Care, is a Veterinary Technician at Schroon River Animal Hospital and NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator who has been working with wildlife for over 30 years. In 2022 Cara was honored with the NYSWRC’s “Vet Tech of the Year” award for tireless service to wildlife. Originally rehabbing in California, Cara moved to New York in 2000, immediately hooked up with local rehabilitators, and got her NYS rehab license. Cara primarily rehabs mammals and birds from tiny hummingbird nestlings to the beloved bald eagle, from ‘pinky’ opossum neonates to countless orphaned squirrels, foxes, skunks, ermines, woodchucks, black bears and bobcats, with the occasional reptile and amphibian! Favorite species to rehab: weasels, baby skunks, neonate squirrels, opossums, & American kestrels.

Part 2: Are you Sciurus curious? From getting to the bottom of an anal prolapse to sinking your teeth into malocclusion—this part of the workshop may be just for you. We will explore less common but clinically important conditions encountered in care. Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs, understand underlying causes, and review practical treatment approaches for challenges such as:

– Bordetella

– Malocclusion
– Runt vs. failure to thrive
– Dwarf vs. Down’s syndrome

– Anal prolapse
– Microphthalmia

– Balding syndrome vs Mange

Emphasis will be placed on strengthening observation skills, sound decision-making, and knowing when to seek additional support or veterinary assistance.

Instructor: Barbara Bellons-Picon. A New York State Class 2 licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator with 30 years of experience, Barbara specializes in tree/ground squirrel rehabilitation and wildlife education. Some highlights include: Served on NYSWRC board, Past NY state liaison for IWRC, Founder of Squirrel Sanctuary Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Inc, Wildlife Clinic supervisor for DRS AEH. With a special interest in sharing and disseminating information, she has authored several peer reviewed papers on squirrel rehabilitation published in the professional journals of NWRA and has been and currently an active presenter at both National and State Wildlife rehabilitation conferences. She is currently working on several educational projects and training/mentoring newly licensed wildlife rehabbers and rehab assistants.

TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/ayESKu8aMXmVd1uz7

LOCATION: South Glens Falls Fire Company, 361 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY, off of Exit 17 of the Northway. 

May 17, 2026 11:30am – 3:30pm

We are thrilled to invite you to our Annual Gala on May 17th at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs from 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM! 

This year marks 25 years of serving wildlife throughout our communities, and we are planning a very special celebration at the Gala! The event will feature live wildlife ambassadors, live music, a silent auction with beautiful items donated from local artists and merchants, rehabilitator presentations, and a lovely luncheon at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs, NY. Many of our members and wildlife rehabilitators will be there, always happy to share their wildlife experiences.

PROGRAM:

11:30AM Doors Open
11:30AM – 3:00PM – Live Wildlife Ambassadors and Silent Auction
1:00PM – Welcome Remarks; Lunch service begins
1:10PM – Lunch & the Award Winning Duo Tootie & The Mother Plucker return for Live Music
1:40PM – Keynote Wildlife Presentations
2:05PM – Year in Review – Video
2:20PM – Wildlife Rehabilitator Presentation – 25 Years of Stories
2:45PM – Winners of wine raffle and silents auction items announced
3:30PM – Close

Special diets will be accommodated with notice at time of RSVP. Cash Bar.

(Our educational animals are courtesy of our cherished NCWC members at Silent Wings – raptor educational programs https://www.silentwingsraptors.org/ 🦉🦅; Wild for Life https://www.wildforlifeinc.org/🦫, and Dancing Turtle Rescue & Educational Programs https://dancingturtlerescue.org/🐢)

Early Bird discount for tickets purchased before May 12th! Last year we had a sold out event, so get your tickets now!

Online:
https://ticketstripe.com/NCWC-Gala-2026
or
By Calling Julie at 518-522-2657

 Interested in Sponsoring?
We are looking for sponsors! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business while supporting wildlife rehabilitation. If you’re interested, please reach out!

Saturday, June 6 12:00pm – 2:00pm

NOTE: Open to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, those who passed the State rehabilitation exam in March & June 2026 exam. Free to NCWC members. A minimum donation of $20 is requested from non-members.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1600750
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

Curious what it’s like to rehab bunnies?? Baby bunnies are one of our most common intakes, and there is always a need for more rabbit rehabbers. Come learn some bunny basics, feeding, housing, common ailments, and hear tips from other bunny rehabbers. Come see if bunny rehabilitation may be right for you!

NOTE: In order to take in and rehabilitate wildlife, including bunnies, you do need your general NYS wildlife rehabilitator license.

Instructor: Heather Edgerton, NCWC Vice President & Rabbit Team Co-Advisor who averages 70 rabbits a year (with the entire NCWC rabbit team taking in 400+ last year!). Heather’s rehabilitation experience began in 2008 in Kansas, & after taking a few years hiatus, she became licensed in NYS in 2021. Additional rehab focus: squirrels, raptors

TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/1zqvoaC1LNr6nwT89

LOCATION: South Glens Falls Fire Company, 361 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY, off of Exit 17 of the Northway. 

SATURDAY JUNE 6 10:00am – 12:00pm

NOTE: Open to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, those who passed the State rehabilitation exam in March & June 2026 exam. Free to NCWC members. A minimum donation of $20 is requested from non-members.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1600750
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

This class will introduce you to many aspects of caring for birds. The class is mainly focused on songbirds, but waterfowl & raptors will be briefly touched upon. There is a critical need for more songbird rehabbers in Upstate NY; and you do not need more than your NYS general wildlife license to rehab pigeons, starlings, or house sparrows.

Instructor: Cara Huffman. Cara, founding member of North Country Wild Care, is a Veterinary Technician at Schroon River Animal Hospital and NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator who has been working with wildlife for over 30 years. In 2022 Cara was honored with the NYSWRC’s “Vet Tech of the Year” award for tireless service to wildlife. Originally rehabbing in California, Cara moved to New York in 2000, immediately hooked up with local rehabilitators, and got her NYS rehab license. Cara primarily rehabs mammals and birds from tiny hummingbird nestlings to the beloved bald eagle, from ‘pinky’ opossum neonates to countless orphaned squirrels, foxes, skunks, ermines, woodchucks, black bears and bobcats, with the occasional reptile and amphibian! Favorite species to rehab: weasels, baby skunks, neonate squirrels, opossums, & American kestrels.

TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/qY8FMQirxqbdAHu98

LOCATION: South Glens Falls Fire Company, 361 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY, off of Exit 17 of the Northway.