I thought I'd share a birthday "gift" I had received a few years ago.
I also wanted to give a tremendous "thank you" to Steven at the St. Francis Wildlife Association!!
On the evening of my birthday we passed an owl that was on the side of the road. He was struggling to get up and I was concerned that he might get hit! We turned the car around and went back to check on it... The poor bird was completely confused and terrified. He was attempting to get away but just didn't seem to be able to fly.
I called the St Francis after hours # and explained the situation. I asked if there was anything that I could do to hopefully save the owl. The person I talked with said to keep an eye on and make sure that he didn't go back out into the road. That he'd be there to help within 15 mins.
Imagine my surprise that almost exactly 15 mins later Steven pulls up! Man was he was great!
He calmly walked over, picked the owl up from the side of the road, and began checking him out. I couldn't believe how calm he was picking this terrified bird up! After checking him out a few minutes, he said he didn't feel any broken bones. So that was good! He suspected that he may have just been stunned by an impact with a car. He still was going take him just so he could keep an eye on him. Hopefully he'd improve in a few hours and they'd be able to let him go!
The next day the staff at St Francis called to give me an update. The owl actually had broken its pelvis which is why it had been unable to fly. Though it was broken, they were confident that it would heal. A few weeks later, they called to let me know the owl had made a full recovery! They were planning to release him near where he had been found!. How wonderful is that? I could not have asked for a better birthday gift!!!
Thank you again St Francis and Steven for all that you do for the wildlife in our community!
Review from Guidestar
We found a raccoon - still alive, but unable to move itself out of the road. We called Animal Control, but they were closed. We were able to reach someone who works with/ volunteers at St. Francis Wildlife Association. Even though it was dark out, and well into the evening, a representative came out and secured the raccoon, as well as took it to the emergency animal hospital. It was transported to the St. Francis Wildlife location the following day. I have called to check on this animal over a week's time and they were able to evaluate and save the raccoon. He was to be released on a large piece of land. The volunteers and staff are truly aware of their mission and gifts. They are a great group of dedicated and compassionate individuals with hearts of gold!