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Thank you for visiting this page to learn more about our Sanctuary and our Birds
Established in 1997, our Sanctuary is dedicated to the lifelong care and protection of a significant number of Captive-bred Owls and Birds of Prey. Over the years, we have offered refuge for birds that have been placed in care by their keepers as unwanted pets, as well as a large number of Owls and Birds of Prey that were placed in our care by the RSPCA, this followed a legal case of cruelty, where the keeper was prosecuted.
Many of the birds in our care have complex histories, behaviors, and traumas. To ensure their well-being, we operate a 24-hour Sanctuary that is not open to the Public. By opening our doors to the Public would require us to apply for a Zoo License, this would not be in the best interest of our Sanctuary, when considering the sensitive nature of all the birds now in our care.
Our Sanctuary operates with a core ethos of Bird Welfare, Conservation, and Education. We strive to provide a safe, nurturing environment where our birds can thrive without the stress of operating as a registered Zoo, prioritising the birds welfare is important to our Charity.
The below relates to a Cruelty Court Case, all 26 birds were placed in our care, video evidence below was shown in cour & in media.
Full News Story below plus video evidence was reported by main media outlets
A 68-year-old man who claimed to be running an animal rescue centre in Shropshire has escaped an immediate prison sentence after being found guilty of kicking and punching several birds of prey.
William MacKenzie was filmed by neighbours mistreating several protected species of owl at his Shrewsbury home over a two year period.
MacKenzie, of Boscobel Drive, Heath Farm, was eventually reported, which followed the birds being taken away from him on the 6th October 2011, on the same day all birds, 26 in total were transported and placed in the care of a well established Owl charity located in Gloucester.
On the 12th September 2012 William Mackenzie was finally found guilty of nine animal welfare charges and was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also given a lifetime ban from keeping any type of animal and ordered to wear an electronic tag for six months as well as pay £500 in costs.
During the two-day trial on the 11th and 12th September 2012, Shrewsbury Magistrates Court was shown video footage, filmed by neighbours, The video evidence showed MacKenzie striking and kicking several birds in his garden, including a Snowy Owl, an African Spotted Eagle Owl & a Barn Owl.
MacKenzie was also captured on video mowing his lawn next to a number of distressed Owls, whilst grabbing & throwing to one side like a rag doll on separate occasions a Barn Owl & a Tawny Owl.
Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Mrs Maxine Taplin, said: “There is clear evidence of suffering.” This he clearly denied even after being shown the video evidence played in court!
Following the verdict of Guilty, RSPCA inspector Dave McCartney said: “His behaviour is exaggerated by the fact that he was running a rescue centre supposedly caring for sick and injured birds. He was, in his own words, ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ and should have known what he was doing was wrong. “For some birds there was no escape. They were tethered when they were grabbed, punched & kicked.”
MacKenzie said it was his hobby to rescue birds which had been abandoned as pets or involved in road accidents. He was known to exhibit these birds at shows and events across Shropshire to raise money to support his interest
Reported by BBC News - Link)
Reported by Daily Mail Online (Link)
plus other media outlets
'1st Row of Images below shows the garden environment and how the birds were kept
'2nd Row of images below show their new environment and life here at the Barn Owl Centre'
 William MacKenzie about to punch a beautiful Snowy Owl |  Barn Owl being grabbed like a rag doll. Words from the Barn Owl Centre cannot describe this behaviour |  Barn Owl kept in disgusting conditions |  Hybrid Falcon, how can anyone keep a Bird of Prey like this! |  A Red Tailed Hawk kept in aweful conditions |
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