this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2025
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For owls that are superb.
US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
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We had a baby racoon yesterday wailing like a human baby, and they were just trying to put it on the scale but you'd swear we were torturing it! 😄
Fetch . . the soft cushions!!
*musical sting*
Confess. Confess! CONFESS! 😠
Yep. I've had rescues that fought like I was trying to kill them when trying to free/care for them.
It reminds me of when I was bitten by a pit mix, who was wrapped in his chain, stuck under a fence, against a tree. His owners were underserved, to say the least, and neighborhood kids would throw things at him and poke him with sticks for amusement while the family was working, so of course the poor thing was defensive. I finally got him free, gave him fresh water and food. I felt honored when I'd worked with him enough that he would leap and wag to greet me, over the months. I was very sad when we had to part, but happy we'd become trusted friends.
I went to see friends once and they had adopted an abused rescue. I dont know what it was, but it was a pretty large mixed breed dog. It was fairly skittish around me, but they said he went nuts for ice cubes. They gave me a big handful to toss to him. He excitedly ate about 10 cubes, and upon holding my hand open to show that was it, it immediately tore into my hand.
Oh boy, did that hurt! I got a nasty hole in my finger, but I couldn't get mad. He musta been through some stuff to make him that way because he was nice around everyone else there that he had gotten time to get used to. Needless to say, I gave up on making close friends with him at that point. Even I don't need to be told twice like that! 😅
I don't blame you! I'm hard-headed though, and I did get mad when he bit me, when I was just trying to free him from choking on his chain and giving him fresh water! But I got over it and resolved to become friends. It took several months, but it worked out. It was more about me though. I knew if I didn't approach him again, I'd be a prisoner of my own fear, and resenting the poor dog, for it. He did what he did, and I was too stubborn and proud to admit defeat.
The day before we parted, it was like he knew. He came to me as I sat on my porch and laid his head in my lap, staring into my eyes. Perhaps I projected my own sorrow into those eyes, because he sure looked sad to me. After a few moments, I kissed his nose, he nuzzled my cheek, and that was the last I saw him. I moved. I do so hope he is happy and well.
I'm glad you both got to understand each other! They never understand our intentions, especially if they've only ever known bad people. But just like people, with some compassion and time, we can be friends with almost anyone.
Yes sir. "Almost" being key. Sometimes you just have to respect boundaries, your own and others.