In most countries it is illegal to keep an owl unless you have a special permit. Those permits are usually only for specific purposes such as rehabilitation, breeding strategies, or education.

This site seeks to promote wildlife rehabilitation efforts. We love stories of people rescuing sick, orphaned or injured owls with the intent to release the owls as soon as possible.

We also welcome ambassador owls. These are long-term residents that help educate visitors to clinics, sanctuaries and zoos. Ambassador owls are usually non-releasable due to injuries or effects that make them unable to survive on their own in the wild.

Only in these cases, when the owls have the proper facilities, diet and healthcare, and their handlers proper training, do we wish to promote owls in captivity.

We do not accept owls being kept as pets.

Even if you wanted one as a pet, they would be terrible to keep:

• Owls are mostly nocturnal
• Owls are destructive, messy, and don’t do well in homes
• Owls need lots of space for flying around
• Owls projectile-poop and it smells bad
• Owls cough up skeletons and fur from the animals they eat

It is important for the health and well-being of owls that they are only ever kept captive under the strict care of qualified wildlife professionals.

For these reasons, please do not send pictures of owl cafés, or people keeping owls as pets. Thank you.