What was meant to be a quiet afternoon of gardening quickly turned into a rescue mission for one Florida woman named Lizette.
When she stepped into her garden shed, Lizette spotted something unusual inside a plastic storage container. Nestled among a pair of shredded garden gloves was a tiny screech owl — trapped, frightened, and in desperate need of help.
“She could have been stuck inside the shed for a day or more,” WILD Florida Rescue later wrote on Facebook.
Lizette immediately put her gardening plans aside and called WILD Florida Rescue’s emergency line. Dispatcher Caroline sent rescuer Kevin to the scene, and within minutes he was carefully lifting the exhausted owl out of the container.
That’s when Lizette made another surprising discovery: tucked away in the shed was a freshly laid egg. It seemed the owl had been searching for a safe place to nest and, without realizing the danger, had chosen the quiet corner of a tool shed.
Thankfully, Lizette found her just in time.
The little owl was weak and dehydrated, but alive. Kevin rushed her to a wildlife hospital, where she has been receiving round-the-clock care ever since.
Each day she grows a little stronger, and rescuers are hopeful she’ll soon be ready to build a new nest — this time in a safer spot.
Inspired by the experience, Lizette has decided to mount a screech owl nest box in her yard to give visiting owls a proper home.
“Always be conscious of shed doors being left open for periods of time so none of our furry and feathered friends get stuck!!” WILD Florida Rescue reminded followers.
Thanks to Lizette’s quick action, one tiny owl has a second chance — and her garden is now on its way to becoming an even more welcoming haven for wildlife.
To help animals like this screech owl get the care they need, you can donate to WILD Florida Rescue here.
