BC SPCA looks for public’s help to pay $4000 vet bill for rare owl

A badly injured rare short-eared owl is in need of expensive medical care, and the BC SPCA is looking for donations to help nurse the bird back to health.

The owl was found by the side of the road with two severely broken bones in her left wing in the Colwood area near Victoria on Oct.2.

BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre assistant manager Heather Schmitt told Global News the short-eared owl is a rare patient for them as it’s not common in the area.

Schmitt says it is very likely the owl was hit by a passing car.

This time of the year, Schmitt says their centre is getting a lot of raptors with similar injuries.

“As the days get shorter, people get on the road when the owls start hunting for prey — around dawn and dusk,” says Schmitt. “So make sure that you have your lights on and take it slow.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "As the days get shorter, people get on the road when the owls start hunting for prey — around dawn and dusk," says Schmitt. "So make sure that you have your lights on and take it slow."

Schmitt says the owl’s injuries required immediate surgical repair, as the bones needed to be pinned and stabilized in order for her to be able to fly again, but the treatment was not cheap.

The estimated medical bill for the owl’s treatment and recovery is expected to be more than $4,000. To help pay the bill, go here or donate in person at Wild ARC, 1020 Malloch Rd., Victoria.

The bird is expected to be in the centre’s care for about eight weeks as she recovers, and will likely need medication to prevent pain and infection.

She will also require specialized staff care, including hand-feeding and therapies to help rehabilitate the wing.

It is expected the owl will be returned into the wild once the therapy is complete.