What do I do if I find a sick or injured owl?
- Ensure you are safe.
- Do not give food or water to the owl.
- Find a wildlife carer or veterinarian in your area.
- Do a private web search for “licensed wildlife rehabilitator near me”
- Find the clinic’s phone number or email.
- Contact them and they will instruct you on next steps
What if I cannot find a wildlife rehabilitator?
If you cannot make immediate contact with a rehab clinic or veterinarian, try to stay calm. Owls are easily stressed, so do what you can to minimise the amount of noise and movement.
For the owl’s protection, it might be possible to provide temporary shelter until proper care is available. Please be aware that interfering with wild animals is sometimes illegal, depending on your country / state / jurisdiction. In general, wild animals should be left alone. Handling an owl increases the risk of you harming it, or it harming you. Only in extenuating circumstances (such as emergencies) is it ever OK to handle one, and even then it should be done with utmost care. Owls have sharp beaks and talons, and they are wild, often unruly animals. Handling owls is dangerous. A reminder also that you are reading unofficial advice on the internet. That all being said, the following advice applies.
Wrap the owl in a towel (or other garment), and carefully place it into a large cardboard box. Put the owl in a warm, dry, dark and comfortable position, and ensure the box is ventilated. If the owl has strength to stand on its own legs, it might be able to drink from a small saucer of water, but do not put anything directly in its mouth because there is a risk you may accidentally cover the breathing hole under its tongue.
The shelter you provide is for temporary protection only. As soon as possible get help from the local rehabber, wildlife expert or vet, and they will advise the next steps for care and transport of the owl to a proper clinic / sanctuary.
What are some other ways I can help owls?
The following advice is courtesy of [Kanyana Wildlife](https://www.instagram.com/kanyanawildlife)
You can help keep owls safe by:
– using safe pest control methods *(avoid glue traps and rodenticide)*
– driving more carefully after dusk
– replacing your barbed wire fences
– making non-barbed wire fences visible
– not feeding ravens, who attack owls
– making your windows visible
– protecting old growth forests
– keeping pets away
– installing an owl nesting box (once you are sure no neighbours are using baits)
**And lastly, consider donating to a wildlife rehabilitation clinic!**
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Take care
๐งก๐ฆ
xo owls_in_towels