Please go vote for Dewey! He is the love of my life and it would mean the world to me.
I work in wildlife rehabilitation. This owl is not my pet, or anyone else’s, but a non-releasable animal used in education programs. He’s a resident because someone wanted him as a pet when he was young; as an imprinted bird, he doesn’t realize he’s an owl. Without proper permits, it’s illegal to possess an owl or any native birds.
That said, this gentleman is one of my favorite birds to work with; he “talks,” making little scritchy noises, he’s curious about the world around him, and he’s patient with newbie handlers like myself, watching us fumble with his jesses and leash. Here, he’s trying to cough up a pellet, but I think this picture just about perfectly represents his personality.






