The South Okanagan Rehab Centre for Owls has been treating injured and orphaned birds of prey for almost 20 years now.

Our dedicated staff of volunteers have taken on the task of caring for raptors in distress because there is no government office that is in place to rehabilitate injured and orphaned birds of prey.

Contrary to popular belief, the government does not financially support SORCO. All funding is solicited.

All funding comes from the general public, a few business and grant money when it can be acquired. We never know from month to month the amount of funds that will come our way to pay the bills.As a non profit society, our treasurer is very careful as to how all funds are allocated.Often SORCOs finances are tight but the care of the birds is always first and foremost. SORCO has federal and provincial non profit status and issues tax receipts for all donations received.

When SORCO was first established, volunteers built a tiny 20' X 20' clinic to house the raptors. That chip board building is now in dire need of being replaced. Deer mice have chewed holes through the chip board walls and pack rats live in the ceiling. The mouse holes are actually so big that rattlesnakes are often found inside the clinic during the summer months as they seek shelter from the scorching Okanagan sun. There is not even a washroom on site for the volunteers.

These are not conditions which anyone should have to work under, but it shows how dedicated our volunteers are in making sure the raptors always have proper care. The simple two room structure houses the exam room, intensive care, quarantine area and mouse breeding facility. It is not the best situation but it is all we have to work with.

Despite primitive conditions, SORCO has one of the highest release rates for birds of prey in the province. The key is in proper rehabilitation and care procedures. The volunteers are well trained and understand the dynamics of caring for birds of prey. Not everyone is cut out for dicing mice and defrosting birds, which makes up the raptors natural diet.

When the Spotted Owl came into care last Saturday, a board of provincial authorities stressed that the bird was to receive the best of care, no expenses spared. Fortunately our Vet, Dr. Steve Harvey of Penticton was willing to examine and treat the rare bird at no cost to SORCO or the province. He has served our society well and is always there when we need his professional services. Knowing that the Spotted Owl could not endure any further stress, the provincial authorities of the Ministry of the Environment stressed that even a trip to the Vet could put the bird at risk of picking up contaminants that might cause its demise. Not to mention the travel and handling that must be done also, which would just put more stress on the delicate condition of the bird. As it turned out, the bird had to be transported to the Vet as SORCOs clinic has no diagnostic equipment. This was a calculated risk, but again, the care and well being of the bird was of the highest priority.

SORCO uses basic equipment as no funds have ever been sufficient to purchase what is really needed.

And with the little clinic accessible to wild mice, we would not want good equipment ruined by the free roaming rodents.

Dr. Harvey has a CT scanner and Ultra sound equipment that is essential for proper diagnosis.

The bird is now being treated with anti inflammatory and anti biotics for its injured eye. In the past 2 days it has increased its food intake and is now eating on it's own. These are all good signs but the owl still has to improve more before it will be out of intensive care.

For the past few years it has been SORCOs goal to build a new clinic with the proper amenities for both the birds in care and the dedicated volunteers. Treating this very rare Spotted Owl just drives home the need for a proper facility to accommodate sensitive species as well as all other birds of prey. Fortunately we have few other birds in care at this point that can be a risk with cross contamination or disease. But if this had happened at another time when we have a full house, things would be much different. We only have so much room and no extra space at all.
We are optimistic that this Spotted Owl will pull through despite the poor conditions of our clinic. Our track record speaks for its self. But nature also holds a major card and there are always unforeseen factors that we have no control over.

I cannot tell you just how enormous the pressure is for us to handle this case so that the bird survives. We at SORCO take this very seriously knowing our expertise and credibility are on the line. We are doing the best we can with what we have.

I just hate asking people for donations, but it would be great if a major corporation that is looking for a way to improve their profile, would step up to the plate and offer funding for our much needed new clinic. They could receive admiration and respect as an environmentally supportive, partner in conservation, SORCO would have the much needed Clinic and the donor would reap the publicity and the tax credit. We have our modest blueprints in hand and our goal is to have a new clinic built by 2010 if funds become available. With labourers in high demand and contractors at a premium we are still optimistic.

Perhaps you know of some lead that can make our dream a reality for the sake of our precious wildlife. Feel free to pass this onto any one whom you think might be interested. We are always interested in your comments.
Thank you for your support!

Sherri Klein
Founder and Office Manager for The South Okanagan Rehab Centre for Owls.