Found a young Burrowing Owl at my doorstep last night, recommedations please!

[sked14]

Went to lock the storm door last night and on our front porch was a juvenile Burrowing Owl, it allowed me to pick it up and bring it inside.
I know that it's illegal to keep, so, what should I do with it? Release it to face it's destiny or try to find a rehabber?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I would recommend calling your state Game and Fish Commission.

They should be able to help you find a rehabber.

[sked14]

2. Thank you Arkansas Granny,

didn't even think of that. Will call them right away and post on what they told me to do.

Such a gorgeous bird.

[geardaddy]

3. Keep us updated.

[sked14]

4. Ok, just got off the phone with the NDOW,

they told me there's a place in NLV called the Wild Wing Project Inc who'll take this owl in, check it's health and release it back to the wild, so, I'll pack up the bird and head out in a couple of hours.

The officer wasn't pleased that I took it in, he understood my intentions, but he said I should have just let nature take it's course.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I'm glad you took it in and have found someone who can look after it.

Nature can be pretty cruel, sometimes.

[Mosby]

6. I think you did the right thing

fwiw, good on you for trying to help.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I am amazed at the attitudes of the wildlife officers.

I have run into this for so many years. And when I was rehabbing, people often said that they heard this same thing from the wildlife agency. Screw nature taking it's course. If we weren't such cockroaches on the face of the earth, these animals would not have so many problems. I always felt it was my duty to help them if it was possible. You did the right thing. He was an ass.

[KC]

8. I agree

with you 100%! I will always do my best to protect any wildlife found. Even if it seems to be on its last legs I would still at least try to save it and get it to a rehab person ASAP.
Screw anyone that says just let nature take
its course.

[Aerows]

11. Not a different experience than I had.

Apparently, unless it is directly something that impacts them, they really don't have time for that.

[Aerows]

10. I called them when I had a raccoon problem

I'm sure most care, but those that answer the phone, to put it politely, don't give a fuck. Okay, that wasn't putting it politely, but it is true.

[sked14]

13. Yes, he was a bit peeved that I actually had the gall to save a wild bird.

Took the owl to the rehabber today, they gave it a quick check up and said based on initial observation,
it looked a little dehydrated but that was an easy fix, they would hold it for 2 weeks to make sure it was healthy and then release it back into the wild.

I told her what the officer told me and she said that's bullshit, what I did was perfectly acceptable as I had no intention of keeping it.

BTW, the owl turned out to be a female.

[Voice for Peace]

17. maybe you saved a future nest of little baby owls.

I always trust my heart on these things. My mind will
make me crazy with a million opinions. Heart is simple.
Do it, feel it.

[sked14]

20. Just the fact that she allowed me to pick her up

told me that there was something wrong with her and needed help.
I'll always trust my heart when it comes to decisions like this.

[Voice for Peace]

21. yes that was my impression from your OP, she was looking for help

or shelter or something.. good job & on behalf of
all future owls, thank you

[Aerows]

12. I'd rehab it personally if that was the response I got.

I'm serious.

[Curmudgeoness]

14. You should not have to do that.

Well, unless there is not a rehabber anywhere around you. I have found a few in my area, although they are both in different directions about an hour away. But it is worth it to me. You have to separate what the wildlife officers say from what a rehabber would say. Too many wildlife officers only care about animals that are hunted, since that brings revenue into the state. They don't see any benefit from other animals. But I have found that this attitude is changing. The older officers still have that opinion, but many of the younger officers are more open to helping. And rehabbers are always going to be willing to help an animal in need.

Also please remember to give a donation to the rehabbers. They don't get money from any other source, and it costs a lot to feed, house, and medicate critters.

[TorchTheWitch]

15. geez, people are supposed to just watch a critter die on their doorstep?

What a terrible attitude that officer has. Nature is cruel. Anyone with an ounce of compassion that comes across a wild critter in need should either put it out of its misery if nothing can be done to help them or do what they can to save them and return them to the wild. Only a person with a heart of stone would think that anyone should just let a critter die a slow and terrible death when they're right there and could save them or put them out of their misery. That officer's heart must be the coldest place on earth.

I'm glad that you took in this poor creature in need and were able to find a good place that will care for it and then return it to the wild. Good on you. I like to believe that animals in need arrive on the doorsteps of compassionate folks like you because they somehow know that a good soul lives there that will help them.

[sked14]

16. Thank you for the kind words.

I would never just watch an animal in need die, I would do what I can to either end it's suffering or get it some place where it can be cared for.

The more I think about it, the angrier I get about that officer's attitude.

[Voice for Peace]

18. maybe right before your call, he had some bad news, something in his life went terribly wrong..

you never know.. anger should be judiciously applied.

[sked14]

19. You could be right,

Last edited Sun Jan 26, 2014, 12:01 PM - Edit history (1)

it was just the tone of his voice and lack of compassion for one of natures beautiful animals in distress that bugged me.
Anyway, I'm over it knowing that this beautiful little female owl is in good hands and will soon be back where she belongs, in the wild.

[Aerows]

9. Aww, I'm sure it is precious

but don't keep it. It needs an ornithological research/rehabilitation center.