Jacques Nel, founder, with some of the many Spotted Eagle Owls he’s saved.
After 8 years of dedication to South African wildlife, the Owl Orphanage is winding down operations.
Having had a full planned day today, I woke up having to deal with some things on social media and many calls and messages. My previous post (deleted) was a short emergency post until I had the time to deal with it. Sitting down now for the first time today. Sadly a disgruntled staff member jumped the gun.
Sadly we are closing our doors, but it is not just so easy with having to follow protocols and letting the relevant authorities and institutions know first. I had to do just that today, to stop any confusion. We have been struggling for a long time financially, with the hope that things will improve. Unfortunately every month became more stressful. Due to being pushed, I now have to now clarify our position, instead of being granted the opportunity to do so over the span of next week.
In 8 years I have built 2 centres and saved many lives. It was an absolute rollercoaster. In 8 years I only took off 4 days, spending 7 days a week at the centre with no weekend. My staff took a bigger salary than me, because I put everything into this centre, I gave it my all.
I will walk away with not a cent on my name.
I thank each and everyone who had my back and supported us through the years, saving many many lives. You will forever stay my Heroes.
We still have birds in our care, rehabilitation to be completed before I can officially close the doors. This will still take money to achieve. If you are able to help me finish this last leg of care please donate. I have many financial responsibilities still, including paying off our staff. When I started the centre, a requirement for DSD was to name another centre in the same line off work, of my choice, to donate movable assets to, in case of closure.
My choice then and still is the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Springs. I have been in contact with Judy surrounding this. We are currently looking for transport from Velddrif to Springs. If anyone could possibly help with this, it will be muchly appreciated. Judy is in need of many things that we will not use anymore.
I have already stopped taking in anymore wildlife and things are quieting down with releases, once a bird is ready.
The birds still in my care stays my responsibility until they are ready for release.
This decision does not come easy and my heart is truly broken. The Western Cape needs more centres and not less. How ever I have given my life to these creatures to my own detriment.
Please don’t ask how the centre can be saved, I have asked and begged for help for many months, but I just can not carry on knowing that I just cannot afford this anymore.
I am truly sorry if I disappoint you. I know some people with daggers in hand Will celebrate our fall tonight, but I know what I gave up and put into this place.
Running a rehabilitation centre was the hardest thing I ever did in my life, but I will forever remember every face and soul that crossed my path. Even though I had to endure many fights and pour my soul out for these creatures, I will take with me the memory of every single character saved and successfully released.
Thank you all for years of support and saving many many lives.
Man, this sucks. You can tell he cares about birds so much. I hate money and think often about how many lives could be saved if we just didn’t have money.
It’s really wild how much of their lives some of these people sacrifice for the animals. I think we only have 2 (maybe 3?) rehabbers at our center and we’re on track for between 4-5 thousand patients this year, so that is soooo many patients at any given time, and we always need to raise money and supplies for all of them and the basic taxes, utilities, equipment, groundskeeping of the facilities.
There’s a huge physical toll, and a big mental toll, dealing with all kinds of people, animals that need 24/7 care even, the stress of running the facility, and all the death and cruelty they witness.
It’s truly a calling, and most who try don’t have near the level of success Jacques had with the Owl Orphanage. I hope he finds something that makes him happy, I’m more than certain he’s earned it.