Some mornings unfold in the usual way, steady and predictable, until something out of the ordinary suddenly shifts the rhythm.
That was the case for Trevor Hayes, a plumber from Ohio, whose daily routine typically meant traveling from house to house, repairing clogged drains and patching up leaky pipes.
On what seemed like another regular morning, the unexpected appeared.
As Trevor made his way toward a client’s home, his attention was caught by a small brown shape with feathers, sitting near a garage just a few doors away.
Drawn by curiosity, he stepped closer, and the sight that greeted him left him frozen in astonishment.
At first, he couldn’t make sense of the shape. Then the creature slowly turned, revealing two glowing eyes that immediately signaled distress.
“It was just staring at me and didn’t look like it was doing good,” Hayes told The Dodo.
As he focused, the situation became clear.
“I knew it was an owl right away. I’m pretty familiar with the wildlife around here, but it was odd seeing the owl in broad daylight, especially in front of someone’s garage on the ground,” Hayes said.
Trevor suspected the owl might be stunned or disoriented. He gave it some space and continued with his plumbing work.
But when he returned and found the bird still unmoving, a sense of urgency set in.
“I figured I should probably do something, so I knocked on the homeowner’s door but didn’t receive an answer,” Hayes said.
Reaching Out For Expertise
Determined to help, Trevor contacted RAPTOR Inc., a bird rescue and rehabilitation center in Milford, Ohio. The staff guided him step by step, explaininghow to safely capture and transport the owl.
Armed with a box, heavy gloves, and a drop cloth, Trevor returned to the bird with one goal: get it to safety. The owl offered no resistance and was soon resting comfortably inside the box, ready for care.
At RAPTOR Inc., Trevor and the bird were greeted warmly. The team immediately examined the owl, ensuring it received proper attention and treatment.
“They said the owl is doing great,” Hayes stated.
Later, Trevor learned the bird had been moved to a larger enclosure at the Milford facility to continue its recovery. Once strong enough, the owl will be released back into the wild.
Everyone now looks forward to the day this majestic bird spreads its wings again, returning to the skies where it truly belongs.
