Serial murderer or animal helper?

I’ve had some interesting conversations with different people over the years, but the day a police officer asked me if I was a serial killer might be one of the most memorable.

I should probably explain that I wasn’t under arrest, at a police station, or crouched over a body. I was merely standing behind my car, looking through the trunk, and the officer happened to be beside me looking as well.

An owl being released back into the wild.
PHOTO: Ann Brokelman

What was in my trunk? Just the usual: two rolls of duct tape, rope, scissors, pliers, a hammer, cable ties (like the ones police use as plastic handcuffs), two large nets, tarps, latex gloves, heavy work gloves, a flashlight, ice cleats, various boxes, towels, hiking boots, and a few garbage bags. All pretty standard stuff from my point of view. It took a little while to explain everything to the officer, but he was having a good laugh by the end.

So why do I have all these items in my trunk? Well, a good girl scout is always prepared, and in all the time I’ve spent volunteering with animals I can promise that every one of those items can be incredibly important and possibly life-saving when it comes to an animal in distress.

Oh, and why was the officer at my car in the first place, you might ask? You didn’t think I was the only one who volunteers to help animals, did you? This wonderful man had been helping me release a barred owl, for The Owl Foundation, on a back country road.

Thanks to wildlife organizations like Toronto Wildlife Centre and The Owl Foundation, volunteers are making the difference between life and death for wildlife. To date I have released owls, hawks, pigeons, mink, foxes, cedar waxwings, robins, wild turkey, and many, many others. Thanks to my friend Chris for opening my eyes to animals and the volunteer work at wildlife centres.

I encourage anyone and everyone who is able to help to volunteer their time. We can always use more hands.

Keep a box, a towel, and a pair of gloves in your car and you might find you can help a bird or animal in distress. Bring on 2015.

On the Wild Side author and photographer Ann Brokelman releases an owl with grandchildren Cole and Reid.
PHOTO: Jennifer Brokelman