A north-east animal charity is “desperately” seeking a new home for 130 feathered friends.
2wit2woo are based in Strathdon and offer help and rehabilitation to wild birds as diverse as hawk harriers, buzzards and vultures.
Run by the Downie family, the charity’s owls are among their most popular residents, with the birds often seen at events such as the Tarland Show, Grantown Show and Invercairn Gala.
But now, the Downies and their friends are faced with finding a new home by March 1.
Their landlord has decided to sell the home they rent, meaning the charity is now in a “tricky situation”.
Patricia Downie said: “We need somewhere as soon as possible and have been looking at a few locations, but it is hard to find a landlord who would allow the birds.
“It would be a rural area location we are looking for, in Aberdeenshire or Moray, with a big enclosed garden.
“We currently have 16 acres of land and 130 birds, but I don’t think we will be able to take all the birds with us unless we find that kind of space again.
“It is a desperate situation – and one we’ve sadly been in before .”
2wit2woo have rescued and rehomed, or re-released into the wild, hundreds of animals over the years.
Beginning with just a handful of birds, they slowly built up a collection of many unwanted, mistreated and disabled birds.
They take in birds that have been abandoned by their owners or ones that have been injured, for example owls that have been struck by cars.
The charity raises funds by attending north-east and Highland shows between April and September with their trained parliament of owls.
The charity’s European Eagle Owl, Mr Jangles, has met with politicians such as Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn and actors from the soap Emmerdale.
A picture of Mrs Sturgeon and Mr Jangles even made it onto BBC show Have I Got News For You.
Ms Downie added: “If I had to pick one, Mr Jangles would be my favourite.
“We do what we can to help them and re release the birds wherever possible -and this can be quite emotional.
“The birds keep us happy and active and are so important to our family.
“Our dream would be to find a place one day where people are able to come visit the birds, outwith April to September.”
Click here to find out more about 2wit2woo or email enquiries@2wit2woo-owlrescue.co.uk
