​“SAFE RIDES FOR SECOND CHANCES”.

On-Call Community Rescue for Animals

Volunteer based transport of sick and injured wildlife across six counties in the PNW.

FOUND A FLIGHTLESS BIRD? PLEASE READ!!!

This time of year, (early Spring to late Summer), OCCRA receives thousands of calls, along with our partners at Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Care Center, about "injured birds". Fledgling birds are babies who have left the nest, are often the size of adults, but cannot yet fly.

Every year, baby birds are kidnapped by well-meaning good samaritans by the hundreds, and taken from their parents who are watching nearby. Fledgling crows are particularly victims of this, as they are truly the size of adult crows, and can be difficult to differentiate. Fledgling crows are grounded for up to 1+ week before they can fly.

PLEASE, review the informational page about urban crows before intervening. If you still think the bird is injured, you can call the Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Care Center at 503.292.0304.

If you have no means of transportation and have exhausted all other resources, you can try OCCRA at 971.645.3450.

Juvenile-Crow-Tinsley-Hunsdorfer

Please be aware both Bird Alliance and OCCRA are overwhelmed with requests for help this time of year, we are completely volunteer based, cover 6 counties, and do the best we can to speak to/advise every caller. But sometimes we may not be available.

More info on urban crows: https://birdallianceoregon.org/our-work/rehabilitate-wildlife/having-a-wildlife-problem/urban-crows/

Our Mission

OCCRA is a volunteer network that rescues and transports sick and injured wildlife in the North Willamette Watershed District to licensed care facilities on behalf of those members of the public who face transportation and safety limitations. We are committed to fostering a compassionate community that values wildlife through conservation, education and outreach. Our goal is to create opportunities for people to help wildlife thrive and expand our efforts statewide.

Video created by Emma Shapera

Year to DateSince Inception
Rescues127603
Volunteer Miles6,15248,189
Volunteer Hours9,01313,618

“Rescues”, “hours” and “miles” are “as reported”.

A "rescue" is defined as an OCCRA volunteer picking up wildlife and bringing it to a rehabilitation center. All rescues are reported to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

All other volunteer time is recorded as “hours and miles” only. This includes additional volunteers on rescues, missions resulting in "unable to locate", taking phone calls and all work required to run the organization. Hours and miles have historically been under-reported for a variety of reasons. For example, OCCRA phone lines are monitored 24/7 (over 8,000 hours annually) but these are only partially reflected in the data.

Safety Advisory - Injured Wildlife

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Wildlife Emergency or Concern?
Handling and transporting wild animals can be very dangerous. Please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) first for any wildlife-related emergency or concern.

You can also reach out to the Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Care Center at 503-292-0304 between 9 AM – 5 PM, 365 days a year. They can help assess the situation and advise on next steps.

If you're unable to reach either agency and it's after hours (between 5 PM and 9 AM), OCCRA may be able to assist on a case-by-case basis. We can help transport injured or sick wildlife to emergency care or provide humane euthanasia if necessary. Please text or call 971-645-3450 to see if we can assist or help connect you to the appropriate resources.
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How You Can Help

Volunteer

OCCRA receives daily requests to help capture and transport wild animals across six counties! Our volunteers help us fulfill our mission, we couldn't do it without them, and we would love to talk to you about joining our team!

Volunteer Application

Donate

OCCRA volunteers are onboarded with safety gear and uniforms, each new volunteer costs several hundred dollars in equipment. Your donations allow us to grow and help more animals. You can also follow links to our amazon wishlist on the "how to help" page.

Donate Now

UP-TO-DATE MAP OF OCCRA VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE RESPONSES IN THE *NORTH WILLAMETTE WATERSHED DISTRICT.

The *NWWD covers six counties. Zoom in to see the scope of volunteer wildlife call-outs to date.

Latest News

A Deep & Honest Conversation on Rescue Work

By dave | December 7, 2025

President Virginia Borden sat down with Jolene from Tails of Resilience and the Animal Rescue Hub for a powerful interview about the real side of rescue work — the parts that don’t always make the front page, but absolutely shape the heart, health, and longevity of everyone in this field. In the conversation, Virginia opens up about the candid, emotional, and often heavy…

Read More
photo credit: Rich Kolbell

Bald Eagle Rescue & Release

By Virginia Borden | April 9, 2025

https://katu.com/news/arc-pdx/injured-bald-eagle-rescued-rehabilitated-and-released-back-into-hillsboro-park A Full Circle Moment for OCCRA and a Bald Eagle in Need In February, OCCRA volunteers Darci, Manon, and Katie responded to Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro, OR, where a compassionate Good Samaritan was keeping watch over a grounded adult bald eagle in distress. Thanks to their quick action, the volunteers were able to…

Read More

FOX12 Live Interview about the QUACKSAFE CAMPAIGN

By Virginia Borden | August 3, 2024

  Thank you FOX 12 Oregon Greg Nibler for talking to us about the QUACKSAFE Campaign on July 31st. Do you know of a drain that has had previous trapped duckling events? Please report on our website under (RESOURCES, QUACKSAFE).. to help us with the very important first part of this campaign, data collection! LINK…

Read More

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🦨 Huge thanks to @ohs_tar_ , Stephanie, and Dr. Tauber for joining OCCRA on a technical wildlife rescue in Beaverton after reports of a skunk with its head stuck in a glass jam jar. @sarahmtauber These are the kinds of calls where extra trained hands—and extra PPE—make all the difference. Despite searching for several hours, we never found the patient. We’re hopeful they managed to free themselves, and the resident is continuing to keep a close watch. Thanks to the caring homeowner (and for the delicious lemonade after a hot, dirty search!), and as always, thank you to our amazing partners at OHSTAR. Here’s hoping this little skunk is safely on its way. 🖤🤍
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🦨 Huge thanks to @ohs_tar_ , Stephanie, and Dr. Tauber for joining OCCRA on a...

Thank you #vOCCRAnteer Lesley @ldanger25 for responding last week to help this crow who was entrapped in a bench in Portland. A dog walker spotted the victim, attempted to free them, but did not have enough free hands or the ability to help get the patient out of this predicament and in to the hospital. We don’t know how long the corvid was in this situation before they were found, but there were severe injuries present and Lesley took them straight to @dovelewispdx for urgent care. We wish them luck. Often these scenarios were unintended. No one thinks a bench can hurt an animal…. We share these with you to show you what we are doing as an org and those that donate, that we are using your funds for good. Please be kind in your comments. ❤️🐦‍⬛
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Thank you #vOCCRAnteer Lesley @ldanger25 for responding last week to help this crow who was...

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When people ask how busy OCCRA really is… this is what we mean.

Last week,...

⚠️ Another reminder that unattended sports nets can be deadly for wildlife. 🦉 Last week, OCCRA was dispatched to Hazelia Field in Lake Oswego after an adult Great Horned Owl became entangled in a soccer net. Thankfully, no one attempted to free the owl on their own, and our volunteer Stephanie responded to safely rescue and transport the patient to the @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter . The owl was incredibly alert and defensive—a good sign considering how serious these entanglements can become. We’ve unfortunately seen many similar cases end with devastating injuries or worse. We’re wishing this beautiful bird the very best in rehabilitation. This rescue was especially concerning because it was the second adult Great Horned Owl found entangled in soccer nets at Lake Oswego parks within just two weeks. Sadly, the first owl was already deceased when it was discovered. Following the rescue, OCCRA contacted the Lake Oswego Parks Department to share our concerns. We are incredibly grateful for their immediate response and willingness to make this a priority. They are already working on a plan to either remove or secure nets overnight—or find another solution that better protects wildlife using our parks after dark. A huge thank you to our volunteer Stephanie, the Good Samaritan who called for help, @lakeoswegopd , LOCOM Dispatch, and the @cityoflakeoswego Parks Department for working together to give this owl a second chance. Please remember: if you find wildlife caught in netting, fishing line, or other entanglements, keep a safe distance and call for help. These rescues are often dangerous for both the animal and the rescuer.
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⚠️ Another reminder that unattended sports nets can be deadly for wildlife. 🦉

Last week,...

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“Ahhhh NETS”! (Such killers, but we’re pretty sure this one has a positive spin). More...

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One of about 75 posts we need to get out. Jeepers, it’s bananas round here:::...

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This week, OCCRA received a heartbreaking call about a juvenile crow tangled high in a...

Rabbits 🐇 🐰 have as many batches of babies as they can, and they often build their nests in yards and gardens. Brush rabbits often leave their babies alone for hours at a time, which can lead to people unintentionally kidnapping baby rabbits thinking they need help. 🛟 A truly orphaned baby rabbit will be by itself out of a nest, or with its siblings at a nest that hasn’t been attended to by an adult in 24 hours. If you do find a baby rabbit in need of help, put it in a warm, dark place with a soft bottom (like a cardboard box 📦 or a pet carrier with a towel on the bottom and another draped over it), keep it somewhere quiet and out of reach of pets and children, and resist the temptation to check on it— rabbits are extremely vulnerable to stress, especially when they’re babies. ‼️ 🚨 If you see a rabbit that is at least mostly white, black, grey, or pale tan, and/or has floppy ears, that is a domestic pet in need of help! ☎️ While OCCRA does not transport or capture domestic animals, there are domestic rabbit rescues in the Portland area who can help you with the next steps once you’ve rescued it.
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Rabbits 🐇 🐰 have as many batches of babies as they can, and they often...

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GBHE (Great Blue Heron) - Clackamas, OR
OCCRA Rescue #580

OCCRA received a call from...

This young Scrub-Jay nestling/ fledgling was found alone outside a DHS office in Portland after likely being picked up by a well-meaning person who thought it needed help. Unfortunately, this happens thousands of times every year during baby bird season. Fledglings are supposed to leave the nest before they can fly well. Their parents continue caring for them on the ground while they learn important survival skills. In most cases, the best thing we can do is leave them where they are and contact a wildlife professional before intervening. Sometimes they are too young and need to be renested in a DIY hanging basket etc. Either way, they shouldn’t be stolen. We’re grateful the finder called Bird Alliance of Oregon for guidance, and that OCCRA volunteer Frank was able to transport this youngster safely to the Wildlife Care Center for evaluation. Thank you, Frank, for answering the call and helping give this little jay the best chance at a successful return to the wild. 🐦 If you find a baby bird, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before attempting a rescue. Often, the parents are nearby and still caring for their young. #OCCRA #WildlifeRescue #ScrubJay #BabyBirdSeason #BirdAllianceOfOregon WildlifeEducation LeaveThemBe VolunteerSpotlight @birdallianceoforegon @frankebat
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This young Scrub-Jay nestling/ fledgling was found alone outside a DHS office in Portland after...