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Harry Potter fans buy pet owls, then dump them
Owls are becoming popular pets thanks to Harry Potter, but what happens to them once the fantasy fades?
Thu, Aug 27 2009 at 4:27 AM
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PET OWLS: Owl ownership has increased since the release of the Harry Potter films. (Photo: Peter G Trimming/flickr)
Harry Potter fans looking to live out the magic of their favorite fantasy series are being blamed for a rapid increase in pet owls being sold worldwide. In the Potter books and movies, Harry keeps an exceptonally obedient snowy owl named Hedwig as a pet. But the reality of owl ownership involves commitment and responsibility some fans of the children's books aren't ready for, and many of the birds are later dumped as a result.
The problem is becoming such a concern in Britian that an animal sanctuary has recently opened up to help adopt unwanted owls that have been neglected by feckless Potter fans. Currently the sanctuary is caring for 20 owls which have come from places throughout the country.
"They might look great in the Harry Potter films, but it takes years to train them. Children read the books and see the films and say to their mums and dads they want one and parents don't realise how much care it takes to look after them," said the sanctuary's director Don Walser.
And when the burden of that responsibility hits, a lot of the owls end up getting mistreated. One pair of snowy owls currently in the care of the sanctuary were starved for three days after being forgotten in their owner's garden. Many of the other owls have also arrived malnourished or in poor health.
In most places you don't need to have any qualifying credentials or license to purchase a pet owl. Furthermore, although it is often illegal to trap and sell wild owls, birds which have been bred in captivity can be sold without regulation. And the buisness can be fairly lucrative too. Breeds like snowy owls can rake in around £250 a bird.
Unfortunately, it's doubtful that boorish fantasy fads will go away any time soon, whether from this craze or some other. Until suitable regulations are passed, it's the animals that have to face the cruel reality.
MNN homepage photo: left-hand/Flickr
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I feel really bad you shouldn't, own an owl with out being ready to put up with the work. I really wouldnt recommend people to get owls because they are A LOT of work an need special care. You should only get one if you understand the needs and have researched. They need big and pricy enclosers.
Sooo ignorant! Do some research silly people! Owls are amazing beautiful animals, one of my favourite, but they are shocking pets! They require raw meat everyday, need constant stimulation, they destroy furniture given any chance, and they are in heat for 9 months of the year. Which means constant LOUD hooting all night, every night, until you go and pay them attention.
Some animals, just can't be pets, it's that easy. An owl is one of them. Meant to be free in nature.
That is unfortunate ... poor owls. :( Although, I understand the fascination. Still, I'd rather see an owl by chance in nature than locked up in someone's home... (and I have seen an owl just recently! .. early early morning time, it was so cool!)
There should be some serious penalty for anyone who purchases or otherwise acquires any animal and then neglects them, fad or not, the poor animals are the ones who suffer. Parents need to stop giving in to the whims and whines of their children every time they want or demand something, particularly animals. They are a big responsibility no matter what the size or shape.
In the US you have to have a special permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to own raptors.
It's time the UK caught up to the times!
This is crazy! Reminds me of the rush on dalmations after 101 Dalmations came out.
For one, I wouldn't let anyone under 21 buy a bird of this type (or a parrot, for that matter)....you can to be able to show that you can care for the pet.