Your broken washing machine could play a helpful role in rehabilitating wildlife (yes, really). The Owl Rescue Centre has shared its annual wishlist, and most of the items are things you might just have lurking in your garage. Give a hoot? Here’s more:
Hartbeespoort, South Africa (08 April 2025) — You wouldn’t think it from the name, but The Owl Rescue Centre, based in Hartbeespoort, is responsible for numerous, non-feathered rescues. Mischievous baboons, leopards in need of serious dental treatment and the occasional escaped hippo—power conservation couple Brendan and Danelle Murray have seen it all.
But what keeps a non-profit wildlife rescue afloat and able to handle the resource-intensive work it does? The answer is people.
Support from conservation-conscious communities, the ability to innovate when resources are on the slim side, and sponsorships (on the lucky days) all play a part in protecting wildlife big, small, feathered and fierce.
But, it’s not all about monetary donations. Sometimes, a good spring clean might reveal long-forgotten items that could be of great use to teams like the Owl Rescue Centre. Just think—the towels you never use could be a God-sent for a baby bird.
You don’t need to rummage through junk and hope something you find is helpful, either. The Owl Rescue Centre has shared its annual Wishlist, and if you’ve been wanting to do your part for wildlife but haven’t had the means, you might just be pleased to find a little bit of help has been sitting in your garage the whole time.
Owl Rescue Centre’s Annual Wishlist
Household Hoots:
- Towels and baby blankets. Old or new, the team will welcome them (and they need quite a few).
- Old wooden doors or windows
- A working washing machine and non-working ones (to make owl houses from)
Solar Specialties:
- Solar geyser
- Solar torches and lights
Handyman Favourites:
- Wooden planks
- Gum poles
- Diamond or welded mesh
Hygiene Machines
- F10 cleaning chemicals
- Antiseptic creams
- Would sprays
For the Charity Shop
- Any books or preloved goodies that you’d want to purchase
Extras
- Weedeater
- 4 Land Rover Defender tyres
- Coffee, Horlicks and chocolate (because every rescuer needs a little pick-me-up).
Those who can help are encouraged to contact the team on 082 719 5463, or via info@owlrescuecentre.org.za.
Sources: Owl Rescue Centre
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