The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society will be hosting a two-day open house this weekend at its Ladner facility.
It's a chance to get a behind the scenes look at the non-profit's operation.
Visitors at the Saturday and Sunday event can see the exam room to some of the pre-release cages not normally open to the public, OWL's Nest Gifts and the Schoolhouse with several displays.
There's also going to be a garage sale, raffle and a scheduled release of rehabilitated birds of prey.
OWL has been rehabilitating injured birds of prey since 1985, specializing in raptors.
The non-profit organization says birds of prey injuries received at OWL have numbered over 300 the past few years.
Birds come from all over B.C., other provinces as well as the U.S. Although it encourages the public to transport injured or orphaned birds to its facility, OWL has a network of volunteers when pick-up is necessary. OWL says it continues to expand the programs and the facility through public donations and the support of companies who provide sponsorships, materials and supplies.
The society relies heavily on volunteers and donations, but has been grappling with financial challenges, including escalating costs that been compounded with the loss of provincial gaming money.
Over 20 birds of prey are permanent residents and assist with OWL's educational programs which has the Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, Langley, Surrey and surrounding school districts routinely visiting the facility for field trips. The organization says that annually, over 12,000 elementary school children come to have a close-up view of owls, hawks, and eagles.
The open house on August 27 and 28 goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3800-72nd St.
For more on OWL visit www.owlcanada.ca.
