This Is Why You Don’t Keep Wildlife, Folks. This Baby Eastern Screech-Owl Was Rescued From Floyd After

This is why you don’t keep wildlife, folks. This baby Eastern Screech-Owl was rescued from Floyd after being found and kept by someone for weeks and was encouraged by others online to keep this bird rather than take it to a rehabber. Sadly, this little owlet had a badly fractured wing — this injury could have been surgically fixable if the bird had been brought to us when it was found. However, because the bird had been kept from medical attention for so long, the bone was dead and there was no longer a way to fix this very painful wing injury.

People, we know wild animals are cute, cool, and getting the chance to be with one up close is an amazing and unforgettable experience. We know it is tempting to keep them and take it on yourself. We all think we are capable and that we know what’s best — it is just human nature. But the reason why we ask people to bring wildlife to us is not out of greed or because we feel we know more than you, but because every week we see what happens when people try to take matters in to their own hands. Imagine what it is like to receive animals that you know you could have saved if people had brought the animal to you when it was healthy. It’s hard to keep a straight face some days.

Call us. We’re here to help you. Don’t let your ego get in the way of what is right for the animal. Without our existence, we know thousands more would needlessly suffer because of people DYI-ing rehab at home.

Be a hero. Make the call even if you don’t want to. A life may depend on it.