About
We are a self funding organisation. Our main purpose being the
rescue and rehabilitation of injured and distressed wild owls. We
have a number of permanent residents who have all been rescued but
due to being bred in captivity cannot be released.
This is due to them being captive bred and rescued from various
location such as being kept as pets, excess to requirements for zoos
and inexperienced breeders. Being captive bred means that it is also
illegal to release them into the wild and doing so would be certain
death for the owl as they do not have the necessary skills that they
should have to be able to hunt and survive. It would also result in
a fine and possible imprisonment.
Rescues
Our
aim is to rescue injured or distressed birds and release them back
into the wild. From the minute of receiving the call we start the
behind the scenes. For this we start preparing there temporary cage
where they rest and we can closely observe them. We ensure that this
is suitable for the owls size and can accommodate any extra needs
they may have e.g broken wing they don’t want to be on a high perch
where they can fall or need to search for food.
We
find as much information about the owl and its location as we can so
that when it is released it to its home as they are territorial. We
also find out if there have been with any other owls and if they are
eating and if there is any obvious reason as to why the owl has been
found e.g. seen to be injured by a vehicle.
So
once we know have asked all these and are sure this owl needs
rescuing we go collect. Once we have the owl and transport it to its
temporary home we start a health check and try to get it settled as
soon as possible so that stress is minimized. Treatment and recovery
can then start.
Once
the owl has had the treatment and is recovered back to being its
healthy self we move it to a flight aviary where it can start
strengthen its wings and start flying again. We also use this time
to carry out another full assessment to make sure that the owl is
100%. We will keep the owl for a little longer until we are
completely sure its ready to return to the wild and is fighting fit.
When
we are ready to release the owl we will take it back to where it was
found. Sometimes the person/s who found the owl like to meet us here
when they can see the release and now they helped towards this.
However as we are completely self funded and rescues and up keep of
our residents cost, this leads me on to explain funding.
Funding
Out
of the number or owls we have we have a select few of who we show to
the public. These are the ones who are happy to interact with humans
and do not get stressed or upset. We do not ask anything of the owls
that they would not do in there homes and if an owl shows any signs
of being unhappy we take the appropriate action needed for example
giving them a break if its been busy or if its hot cooling them
down. The welfare and health
of our birds are paramount.
We do
events at various locations. However are main base is glen park
market at Ingoldmells. There we offer holds of the owls for a small
charge and the offer of pictures. We also have a charity shop on
sight. (Donated goods always welcome).
All proceeds go into the
upkeep of the owls and any equipment they need. We make sure that
the owls are completely happy and give them regular rest breaks. At
the end of the day they are taken home again where they then go back
into their aviary’s and enjoy there tea.
The
owls have a varied diet that consists of a mixture of chicks,
pinkies, rabbit, quail and rat. This depends on the size of the owls
as to how much they eat and for example a smaller breed would eat a
mouse where as a larger breed could eat half a rat. We buy
commercially produced food as to be sure it is disease and poison
free.
We also have a team of volunteers that
help make all this possible. They all interact with the owls on a
regular basis and help to keep the owls safe. Some have become
foster careers. We really could not continue without their help and
support. Our volunteers are very dedicated and devoted.