There are days when you head out to work expecting everything to go according to plan, but then something unexpected grabs your attention and changes everything.
That’s what happened to Trevor Hayes, an Ohio-based service plumber. His job usually involves visiting homes and fixing plumbing issues. But on one ordinary workday, things took a surprising turn.
As he approached a customer’s home, he spotted a small, feathery brown clump near a garage two houses down. Curious, he went in for a closer look, and what he saw left him speechless.
A Surprising Sight
At first, Trevor wasn’t sure what he was looking at. But when the small creature slowly turned to face him, revealing two glowing eyes, he immediately knew something was wrong.
“It was just staring at me and didn’t look like it was doing good,” Hayes told The Dodo.
Upon closer inspection, it all clicked into place.
“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.
Initially thinking the owl might just be dazed or disoriented, Trevor gave it space and went off to complete his plumbing job. But when he returned and saw the bird hadn’t moved, his heart sank.
“I figured I should probably do something, so I knocked on the homeowner’s door but didn’t receive an answer,” Hayes said.
Time for a Rescue
Determined to help, Trevor reached out to RAPTOR Inc., a bird rehabilitation center located in Milford, Ohio. The staff gave him detailed guidance on how to safely contain and transport the owl.
He gathered a box, heavy-duty gloves, and a drop cloth—then returned with one goal: to get the owl to safety. Thankfully, the bird cooperated and was soon nestled safely inside the box, on his way to a better place.
The compassionate team at RAPTOR Inc. welcomed both Trevor and his feathery passenger with open arms. They wasted no time in examining the owl and ensuring it received the care it needed.
“They said the owl is doing great,” Hayes stated.
Hayes later learned that the owl had been transferred to a larger enclosure at the Milford facility to continue its recovery. The plan is to release him back into the wild as soon as he’s strong enough.
Now, everyone is eagerly awaiting the day when this majestic bird takes to the skies once more, ready to thrive in his natural habitat.