​“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
Rescues90566
Volunteer Miles3,39345,430
Volunteer Hours7355,340

“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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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/ #fledglingcrows #birdnapping #fledgeling
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FOUND A FLIGHTLESS BIRD? PLEASE READ!!!

This time of year, (early Spring to late Summer),...

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It’s baby bird season! 🐣

From owls to starlings to juncos, these are just a...

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Why are these eagles stuck together?! 🦅

It looks alarming, but this is actually normal...

It takes a village. This is some of ours ❤️🙏 We got to celebrate our volunteers and have our yearly meeting just in time for fledgling season (aka… our busiest, most chaotic time of year 😅) thank you to SW @steeplejackbeer for the use of the awesome mezzanine for our meeting space! We managed to wrangle a group photo, this is less than half of our full OCCRA response team… which is just wild to think about. This team has grown so much in ten years! #OCCRA . We’ll check in again soon, lots of admin stuff happening , supes busy. BRB 🙏❤️ 🚨 WANT TO SUPPORT OCCRA? 🚨 Your help saves wildlife! 💚 Every donation goes directly to outfitting, training, and rescuing animals in need. 🦉 Best way to give? Donate through our website (link in bio)! ✅ Venmo & PayPal take fees, so donating directly helps even more. Other ways to support: www.occrapdx.org 💸 Venmo: [@OCCRA (please make sure you confirm it is our account, last 4 digits of phone number are 3450)] 💰 PayPal: [OCCRA PayPal Link in bio] 📦 Amazon Wishlist: [Wishlist Link in bio] ✉️ Mail a check: [PO BOX 1291 - Oregon City, OR 97045] Every dollar makes a difference! Thank you for being a wildlife hero! 🙌💚 #SupportOCCRA #WildlifeRescue #DonateForWildlife #OCCRA vOCCRAnteer wildlifetransport oregonwildlife oregonvolunteers animalvolunteers wildlife 💙 SecondChanceForWildlife 🌿 BackToTheWild 💚 WildlifeVolunteers 🙌 VolunteerForWildlife 🌱 EcoWarrior 💪 🌍 📣 🦉 SaveWildlife 🦊 WildlifeConservation 🦡 🦆 ProtectWildlife 🐍 WildlifeMatters 🦅 AnimalRescue 📍 WildlifeRescueOregon 🏥 WildlifeRehab 🦜 RescueRehabRelease 🐾 WildlifeRescue 🦢 InjuredWildlif
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It takes a village. This is some of ours ❤️🙏

We got to celebrate our...

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You should never be able to walk this close to a wild beaver 🛑🚨

When...

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Lake Oswego — BABY SEASON HAS ENTERED THE CHAT 🐣🌲

We’ve got our first “GHOWLET”...

Wait… donkeys?! 🫏 We promise — we are not rescuing farm animals again 😅 But this rescue did come with some very cute coworkers… The first photo is from our friends over at @oregon_donkey_sanctuary in Oregon City, where a sanctuary sitter was busy caring for 40+ rescue donkeys (honestly… dream job??). When they found a tiny Anna’s hummingbird under a feeder — exhausted, not thriving, and unable to fly — they knew they needed backup. With their hands already very full (and probably a few donkeys asking for snacks), they gave us a call ❤️ Let’s be real… we don’t know anyone who isn’t obsessed with donkeys. And while we respond to over 95% of our callouts, some are extra special — because sometimes our volunteers get to meet some very sweet, very long-eared residents along the way. Annette @malidragon responded and safely transported this little hummingbird to @dovelewispdx . We’re hopeful they were able to make the next step to the @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter for continued care and a second chance 🕊️ Tiny patient. Big team effort. And yes… still thinking about those donkeys. #OCCRA #WildlifeRescue #AnnasHummingbird #OregonWildlife #DonkeySanctuary RescueStory SmallButMighty
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Wait… donkeys?! 🫏

We promise — we are not rescuing farm animals again 😅
But...

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🦉 Not Santa. An owl.

Last week we received a cal about a barred owl...

🔗 Donate by clicking the Fundraiser link OR our link in bio — it takes just a click! (OCCRA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-deductible.) ✨ OCCRA just surpassed 500 wildlife rescues. That’s 500 animals that were able to get help because someone called — and volunteers were ready to respond. Our team responds day and night across six counties, helping wildlife get safely contained and transported to professional care. With fledgling season approaching, rescue calls are about to increase dramatically as young birds leave the nest. Donations help us equip volunteers with the safety gear needed to do this work — things like gloves, nets, carriers, and rescue supplies. Every dollar goes directly toward supporting the volunteers behind these rescues. 🦉 500 rescues down — and many more animals will need help this year. Thank you for supporting wildlife and the people who show up for them.
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🔗 Donate by clicking the Fundraiser link OR our link in bio — it takes...

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🦉 Great Horned Owl Rescue – Beavercreek
OCCRA rescue #500

Last week our team responded...

✨ Big milestone for OCCRA yesterday! ✨ We held our Board of Directors meeting and officially completed a major leadership transition as we move into the next phase of OCCRA’s growth. It was a special moment to reflect on how far this organization has come since our original foundation in 2015, to our board establishment in 2021, to the massive amount of callouts and incredible team of over 50 volunteers we have today 🖤🦉 Image 1: Our founding OCCRA board in 2021 — Alicia Laing, Mike Borden, and Virginia Krakowiak — who helped get this program off the ground. Image 2: The board from 2023–2026 who guided OCCRA through huge growth, hundreds of wildlife rescues, and the partner agency relationships we've worked so hard to build. Virginia Borden, Joanne Cloud, Mike Borden, Alicia Laing, Darci Love, Shannon Dooley Image 3: Our new OCCRA Board of Directors as of March 5, 2026. ✨ New Officers President — Scotty Lombardi Vice President — Nikki Panos Secretary — Danny Rost Treasurer — Susie Sullivan 🦉 Board Members Virginia Borden Annette Blackwell Darci Love We also want to thank the board members stepping down from officer roles after years of dedication: Alicia Laing, Shannon Dooley, Joanne Cloud, and Mike Borden. 💛 OCCRA exists because of the incredible people behind it — from the founding board, to the leaders who helped grow the program, to every volunteer responding to wildlife calls across our six counties. This transition is a HUGE STEP for the future of our mission. Succession planning is how nonprofits grow and stay strong. The future is bright — and we’re just getting started. 🖤🦉✨ Thank you all for believing in this mission and your heart for our community and wildlife! @tattooedpdxgirl @malidragon @vettechdlove @thescottylombardi @tipsymonger @throughthestatic @susan.irene @duramater78 @virginiakrakowiak @misscrickets @mike.borden.5667
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✨ Big milestone for OCCRA yesterday! ✨

We held our Board of Directors meeting and...

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Beaver Rescue – Raleigh Hills, Portland
RESCUE #493 @throughthestatic @zoestrothkamp @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter @tualatinswcd
@ashcreekforestry

OCCRA...

This is our fifth Bald Eagle rescue of 2026 already. For comparison, there were nine total Bald Eagles admitted in all of 2025 to @birdallianceoforegon Wildlife Care Center. Why the increase? Because OCCRA exists. When a massive raptor is grounded — in a backyard, on a roadside, being harassed by crows, or simply too dangerous for a resident to safely contain — people now have someone to call. That means more eagles (and other large raptors) are making it to professional care instead of suffering unseen. And that’s a good thing. But here’s the reality: Last year alone, the @wildlifecarecenter treated over 5,000 patients. Large raptors like Bald Eagles dramatically increase the lift required: • More food (and not inexpensive food) • More volunteer and medical hours • Larger enclosures and flight buildings • Incubators, specialized equipment • Higher utility and supply costs • Long rehabilitation timelines You name it — it scales up quickly with birds this size. More successful rescues means more patients arriving. More patients means more strain on the care center. There is absolutely no way to sustain this level of intake — especially with large raptors — without strong, consistent financial support. When you see and share these Bald Eagle rescues, please also consider supporting the BAO Wildlife Care Center. The rescue is only the first step. The real work — and expense — begins after intake. These second chances are only possible because of donors. Thank you #vOCCRAnteers @eleni_13579 @fernsibley and Danny for helping this patient to care!
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This is our fifth Bald Eagle rescue of 2026 already.

For comparison, there were nine...

OCCRA RESCUE #489 Red Breasted Sapsucker - RBSA Yesterday, a community member reached out after finding this Red-breasted Sapsucker grounded and unable to fly. They didn’t have transportation and sent this photo to BIRD ALLIANCE of Oregon for help. Thank you to Frank for responding and getting this patient safely to care. 💛 This is a good reminder about wildlife etiquette: Wild animals are afraid of us. Handling with bare hands isn’t just a potential biohazard for you and the animal — it is also incredibly stressful and terrifying for the bird. Bright lights, voices, and being held like a domestic pet only increase that stress. If you find injured wildlife and cannot immediately transport them to a care center: • Place them in a small box • Add a soft towel on the bottom • Keep the box closed • Keep them in a dark, quiet space • Limit talking and handling Dark + quiet = safest until help arrives. This patient may have been attacked by a cat, though we’re not certain of the cause of the flightlessness. As always, we’re grateful when community members reach out for guidance instead of trying to “fix” things themselves. Wildlife needs calm, containment, and quick transport — not comfort the way we think of it for pets. Thank you to everyone who calls before acting. It truly makes a difference. 🐦 ——-
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OCCRA RESCUE #489
Red Breasted Sapsucker - RBSA

Yesterday, a community member reached out after...

🦉 Grounded Great Horned Owl – Long Drive, Big Heart 🦉 RESCUE #488 - AURORA OR Earlier this week, OCCRA received a call from an employee with an Oregon State University Extension program reporting a grounded great horned owl on their property. No one on site felt comfortable handling the patient, and although it was about an hour drive for any of our volunteers to reach them, Scotty answered the call. The owl was flightless and had visible blood on their face. We don’t yet know the cause of injury, but they were safely captured and transported to Bird Alliance of Oregon, where we’re wishing them the very best. ✨ A little about Great Horned Owls (GHOW): They’re one of North America’s most powerful raptors — with a grip strength estimated around 300 pounds per square inch (stronger than a human hand by far). Those iconic orange eyes aren’t just beautiful — they’re built for incredible night vision. GHOW can hunt in near total darkness and are known as the “tigers of the sky” because they’ll take prey as large as skunks (yes… they don’t mind the smell). Thank you, Scotty, for always being willing to make the long drives — for every patient, mighty and fragile. 💚 @thescottylombardi @birdallianceoforegon
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🦉 Grounded Great Horned Owl – Long Drive, Big Heart 🦉 RESCUE #488 - AURORA...

RESCUE #487 🦅 Bald Eagle – Southwest Portland Yesterday we received a call about a grounded bald eagle in a private backyard in Southwest Portland. Annette, Senia, and Alex responded quickly. On arrival, the eagle was extremely mobile and tucked deep into brambles — not an easy setup for a safe capture. As the team assessed the scene, they noticed coyotes circling and watching the patient. Timing was critical. The team moved efficiently and were able to safely contain the eagle just in time. This incredible bird was transported to the care of the Bird Alliance of Oregon, where we’re hopeful they’ll receive the support they need for a second chance. Bald eagles are powerful, intelligent raptors — and even they can find themselves vulnerable. Thank you to the quick-thinking volunteers and the community member who made the call. Wishing this majestic patient the very best. 💛 @birdallianceoforegon @s_p_newman @malidragon 🚨 WANT TO SUPPORT OCCRA? 🚨 Your help saves wildlife! 💚 Every donation goes directly to outfitting, training, and rescuing animals in need. 🦉 Best way to give? Donate through our website (link in bio)! ✅ Venmo & PayPal take fees, so donating directly helps even more. Other ways to support: www.occrapdx.org 💸 Venmo: [@OCCRA (please make sure you confirm it is our account, last 4 digits of phone number are 3450)] 💰 PayPal: [OCCRA PayPal Link in bio] 📦 Amazon Wishlist: [Wishlist Link in bio] ✉️ Mail a check: [PO BOX 1291 - Oregon City, OR 97045] Every dollar makes a difference! Thank you for being a wildlife hero! 🙌💚 #SupportOCCRA #WildlifeRescue #DonateForWildlife #OCCRA vOCCRAnteer wildlifetransport oregonwildlife oregonvolunteers animalvolunteers wildlife 💙 SecondChanceForWildlife 🌿 BackToTheWild 💚 WildlifeVolunteers 🙌 VolunteerForWildlife 🌱 EcoWarrior 💪 MakeADifference 🌍 ActForWildlife 📣 BeAVoiceForAnimals 🦉 SaveWildlife 🦊 WildlifeConservation 🦡 RescueRehabRelease 🦆 ProtectWildlife 🐍 WildlifeMatters 🦅 AnimalRescue
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RESCUE #487 🦅 Bald Eagle – Southwest Portland

Yesterday we received a call about a...

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RESCUE #485 - MERLIN, NW NAITO PKWY

The other day, we received a call about...

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OCCRA RESCUE #484

🌅 Early-Morning Rescue Shoutout 🌅 thank you to the Good Samaritan ,...

#vOCCRAnteers - We love a good wall of wildlife heroes 🙏❤️🙌 @marniemcphee @vettechdlove @malidragon @scottyolombardi @kifharris @eleni_13579 @frankebat @s_p_newman
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#vOCCRAnteers - We love a good wall of wildlife heroes 🙏❤️🙌 @marniemcphee @vettechdlove @malidragon @scottyolombardi...

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🦅 A release we’ve been waiting a long time to share.

The bald eagle we...

RESCUE #483 - This Anna’s hummingbird found their way into a shop in Oregon City and was unfortunately injured in the process. The resident wanted to help but didn’t have a way to get this tiny patient to care, so Kari, one of our volunteers, responded and transported them safely to the care center. We’re wishing this little one the very best of luck in recovery 💚 A little Anna’s hummingbird love: unlike most hummingbirds, Anna’s often stay in Oregon year-round. Thanks to milder winters, backyard feeders, and their incredible ability to slow their metabolism (a state called torpor) during cold nights, these tiny birds can survive conditions that would send other hummers south. Small but unbelievably tough ✨ Thanks to everyone who looks out for wildlife and knows when to call for help 🐦 @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter
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RESCUE #483 - This Anna’s hummingbird found their way into a shop in Oregon City...

RESCUE #482 - This western screech owl call came out of Clackamas—one of multiple wildlife calls we’ve had this week. We like to show you what calls look like as they come through our Slack space, because that’s really how OCCRA works as a team. A group like ours can’t realistically run on set volunteer “shifts.” We cover six counties, respond to a wide range of species, and some days we’ll see six calls in a day, while other days we might only get one. Some patients are straightforward; others require multiple volunteers for safety. After years of doing this work, we’ve learned that putting a call out to the whole team is what works best—for the patient and for our volunteers. Huge thank you to Kaila for stepping up to help this little screech owl get safely to care. We’re wishing them the very best of luck in recovery @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter And a fun fact because we love them: western screech owls may be tiny, but they’re mighty—fierce little hunters with big attitudes, perfectly adapted to life in our forests and neighborhoods. 🦉✨ @kaicameli
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RESCUE #482 - This western screech owl call came out of Clackamas—one of multiple wildlife...

⚠️ Difficult image ⚠️ Today in SE Portland, an adult bald eagle that was grounded, injured, and actively being attacked by crows. The resident did the right thing by not attempting to handle such a massive raptor and contacted Bird Alliance of Oregon, who then reached out to OCCRA for help. Four OCCRA volunteers responded quickly and safely transported the eagle to the care of @birdallianceoforegon , where the patient can recieve professional wildlife care and we wish them luck . Huge thanks to everyone involved for putting safety—and the animal—first. 🦅💛 thank you #vOCCRAnteers Abe, @eleni_13579 @fernsibley @happygrn .
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⚠️ Difficult image ⚠️

Today in SE Portland, an adult bald eagle that was grounded,...

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PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO 🙏⛑️❤️ THIS IS NOT AI.

Real rescue. Real animals. Real people....

Dark-eyed Junco rescue today in Scappoose 🤍 You may notice that in many of our rescue photos and videos, you don’t actually see much of the patient — and that’s intentional. Out of respect for the animal, we don’t pose with wildlife or create “photo-op” moments. Those situations are often extremely stressful and scary for the animal, even though they’re sometimes normalized online (and yes, even by officials). We focus on the action and effort, not the spotlight. Today’s patient was a Dark-eyed Junco found injured in a yard for an unknown reason. Scotty responded, and the resident had already done a great job by safely containing the bird in their bathroom. Scotty gently wrapped the patient and used the Good Samaritan’s help to cover the bin — calm, quiet, and exactly how it should be done. A little Junco appreciation while we’re here: Dark-eyed Juncos are native to Oregon and are often called “snowbirds” because many move into neighborhoods and lower elevations during colder months. What’s especially cool is that there are several different color variations (subspecies) across the West — slate-colored, Oregon, pink-sided, and more — all part of the same species. That subtle variety is why you’ll sometimes see juncos that look slightly different from one another, even in the same area. Small bird, big personality — and a reminder that even our most familiar backyard birds sometimes need help. Huge thanks to the Good Samaritan for quick thinking, and to Scotty for responding and getting this little junco safely on the way to care. 💚
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Dark-eyed Junco rescue today in Scappoose 🤍

You may notice that in many of our...

Huge thank-you to Manon for showing up — even when the outcome is uncertain. 🦉 Manon drove all the way out to Banks, Oregon to help a Barred Owl that had been flightless for over a day. The patient was not contained, which always means there’s a real chance the bird could fly off before a volunteer arrives — but she made the trip anyway, just in case. We’re sharing a small glimpse of the kinds of messages that come through our Slack and how OCCRA gets called out by Bird Alliance of Oregon. We have a separate channel called Good Sam Missions for patients that are not contained and may still be mobile. Often, these calls end with the animal flying away or no longer being on scene by the time a volunteer arrives. And yet — our volunteers still go. Because they care. Because sometimes just in case matters. Thank you to Dove Lewis for keeping this patient stabilized until Bird Alliance opened the following day. We’ve been unusually busy this cold season, which is a big reminder that spring is going to be extra, extra busy. We’re doing everything we can to prepare — onboarding, equipment prep, admin work, outreach, partnerships — all of it. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and we’re burning the candles at all ends. We’ll keep sharing these stories when we can. Just know the work never really stops — and we’re incredibly grateful for volunteers like Manon who keep showing up for wildlife, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. 💚 @marniemcphee @dovelewispdx @birdallianceoforegon
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Huge thank-you to Manon for showing up — even when the outcome is uncertain. 🦉...

Shout-out to a great Good Samaritan and a little robin with a big lesson. 🐦 Huge thank-you to the Good Samaritan who covered this injured American Robin with a laundry basket while waiting for help. We talk about this all the time — and this is a perfect example of why it works. A laundry basket (with something gently weighted on top if needed) is an excellent way to keep a patient safely contained until a volunteer can arrive. OCCRA covers six counties, and many of our callers don’t have access to a vehicle. This was one of those situations. The finder truly wanted to help but couldn’t transport — so Frank responded. Because the robin was already safely covered, Frank didn’t have to worry about the bird getting loose or trying to fly while injured, and was able to get the patient quickly to Bird Alliance of Oregon for care. The robin has an injury with an unknown cause and is now in the hands of the care center team, where we’re hopeful they can be treated and released. A sweet full-circle moment: Frank’s very first wildlife rescue over a decade ago was also an American Robin — brought to him by neighbors who knew he had a special affinity for birds. He has many birds close to his heart, but this one brought it all right back to the beginning. Thank you to the Good Samaritan for doing exactly the right thing, thank you to Frank for responding, and thank you to the volunteers and staff at the care center for everything you do. This is what community wildlife care looks like. 💚
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Shout-out to a great Good Samaritan and a little robin with a big lesson. 🐦...

A tale of two Cooper’s Hawks — both from last week. 🦅 One occurred late in the week in Newberg, and the other shortly after in Portland. In the Newberg case, the finder was not able or willing to transport the hawk to care, so one of our volunteers responded. Just before arrival, the finder shared a critical detail: rat poison had been placed on the property shortly before the hawk was found grounded, with no obvious injuries. We’ll keep being a broken record on this — poisons do not just affect the animal you’re trying to eradicate. They move through the food chain and impact countless unintended species, including raptors. The second Cooper’s Hawk was found in Portland last week. The good Samaritan wanted to help but did not have access to a vehicle. Our volunteer Manon responded, but sadly, this patient was deceased on arrival. Because the finder did not feel comfortable handling the remains, Manon gently transported the hawk and provided a quiet, respectful place of rest. We’ve included a few photos of this — not to be graphic, but because for some, it can be comforting to see the care and intention given even when an outcome isn’t what we hope for. This is part of the hard work we do. While loss is never easy, sometimes offering an animal dignity, a moment of silence, and a beautiful place of rest is a way of honoring the savagery and beauty of nature and the circle of life we engage with in this work every day. One more important reminder from both of these calls: ❌ Holding a wild animal close to your chest — like a Disney movie — is not safe for you or the animal, and it is terrifying for them. They may appear calm because they are in distress, not because they feel safe. ✅ The correct response is always: A DARK QUIET BOX. A DARK QUIET BOX. A DARK QUIET BOX. We’re blowing a kiss into the wind for that Cooper’s Hawk, and we’re deeply thankful for our volunteers — for showing up in all outcomes, and for treating every life with respect, care, and compassion.
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A tale of two Cooper’s Hawks — both from last week. 🦅

One occurred late...

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⛑️ - OCCRA RESCUE #471 - After-hours response, no hesitation 🦉

A few nights ago,...

Although this was a sad and concerning situation, we’re grateful to share that in this case, the raccoon got a second chance 🖤 Yesterday, OCCRA volunteers Danny and Kye responded to a home in Tualatin after residents reported a raccoon with a trap stuck on their leg. The homeowners were clear that they did not set the trap and were unsure where it came from—they simply wanted to help. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was not available to respond at the time but gave OCCRA permission to assist. Because raccoons can be aggressive and extremely difficult to handle—especially when a trap is involved—we were very thankful that experienced handlers were able to respond. Danny and Kye safely removed the trap, and the raccoon immediately scurried away, appearing unharmed. A great outcome in an otherwise heavy situation. The trap will be turned over to ODFW for follow-up investigation. Thank you to the residents for calling, and to our volunteers for stepping up on tough calls like this. This is why community response and experienced volunteers matter.
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Although this was a sad and concerning situation, we’re grateful to share that in this...

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🦅OCCRA RESCUE 471 - Yesterday morning, a grounded adult bald eagle was reported at Riverview...

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Last week, Madison responded to our first call-out of the year in Southeast Portland.

A...

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📊 By the numbers…

🦉 215 wildlife rescues in 2025
🦅 468 wildlife rescues to...

🌟 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🌟 HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL! We've been busy but wanted to share our holiday love and also officially introduce you to OCCRA volunteer Scotty! In just a few months, Scotty has hit the ground running on multiple rescues. His calm presence, willingness to respond, and deep respect for wildlife make him an invaluable part of the OCCRA family. A bit more about this stellar human: “Scotty’s passion for animal welfare began at age 13, working for his family veterinarian and discovering a lifelong love for helping pets and their people—as well as wildlife, thanks to the veterinarian’s commitment to providing no-cost care to ill and injured animals. That early start inspired a career devoted to making a positive impact for both people and animals. Scotty feels incredibly fortunate that his love for animals intersects with his professional life in veterinary medicine today. While his career in human resources has allowed him to support impactful organizations, nothing compares to the hands-on fulfillment of helping animals in need. Whether assisting with wildlife transport or responding to rescue calls alongside fellow volunteers, Scotty is grateful for every opportunity to make a difference. Volunteering with OCCRA is a true highlight. Inspired by the dedication of OCCRA’s team and volunteers, Scotty is proud to support the mission with his time, energy, and philanthropic advocacy. For Scotty, animal welfare isn’t just a passion—it’s a calling, and he’s honored to be part of OCCRA’s work serving the animals and community throughout the service area.” We are incredibly thankful for Scotty — for his active response on calls, his steady teamwork in the field, and the genuine heart he brings to every animal who crosses his path. OCCRA is stronger because of volunteers like Scotty, and we’re so grateful to have him on this team. 💛🐾
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🌟 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🌟 HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL! We've been busy but wanted to...

💛 Thank you, Oregon Community Foundation! 💛 @the_ocf We are incredibly grateful to the Oregon Community Foundation for a $2,000 grant from the Aardvark Fund. This support helps OCCRA equip and onboard at least 10 new volunteers, strengthening our ability to respond when wildlife needs us most. You may have noticed that we’ve been recruiting volunteers throughout the year—and thanks to community support like this, we are in a really strong place with our volunteer numbers right now. Any new applicants are being added to our list for a pre-spring onboarding, when call volume increases and wildlife activity peaks. Until then, our current team will keep responding, and we truly appreciate everyone who has applied and is willing to wait with us into 2026. Thank you, Oregon Community Foundation, for helping us continue to help wildlife across our community. 🦉🖤
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💛 Thank you, Oregon Community Foundation! 💛 @the_ocf

We are incredibly grateful to the Oregon...

⚠️ Content note: We’re sorry for the rough images. We know it can be jarring to see animals in distress. While these situations are part of our day-in, day-out work, they are never easy or routine to witness — for us or for our community. We share them to help show the reality of the calls we respond to and why this work matters so much. The first call came into BIRD ALLIANCE of Oregon and was dispatched to OCCRA after a good Samaritan found a Western Screech-Owl along the roadside in Tualatin. The caller was delivering drywall in a boom truck and had to be back in Salem within the hour — they wanted to help but truly had no ability to transport the patient. They kindly placed the owl in a box and waited for our volunteer Annette to arrive. The owl was taken straight to the Bird Alliance Wildlife Care Center, where we wish them the very best. We don’t know exactly what caused this owl’s injuries, but being found near the road sadly points to a likely vehicle strike. Owls often dive for prey over roadways and are chronically hit by cars. The second photo shows a Red-tailed Hawk from a call in Portland. A nearby resident had seen the hawk in the same empty lot for two days without moving. While they weren’t comfortable handling the bird, they made the calls to get help — and that matters. Lindsay, who recently joined our team and brings prior wildlife handling and rehab experience from another state, responded and got the hawk to care right away at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Thank you to our volunteers Annette and Lindsay for stepping up, and to the good Samaritans who took the time to call and do what they could. These are hard calls — but because of teamwork and compassion, these animals got a chance at help. 💛 @malidragon @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter @dovelewispdx
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⚠️ Content note: We’re sorry for the rough images. We know it can be jarring...

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🐦‍⬛ - #463 Ever heard the phrase “a bird with a beak… or a beak...

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Double 🦉DAY : #461 #462, both in Tigard

Yesterday in SW Portland, BIRD ALLIANCE of...

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Barred Owl Rescue in Forest Grove (Thank You, Scotty!)

Tonight, volunteer Scotty headed all the...

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Thank You, Frank, for Showing Up Again Today

Volunteer Frank was out on another call...

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RESCUE #458
Molalla Red-Tailed Hawk on Kari & Ray’s Anniversary

Our third callout of the...

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RESCUE #457
Red-Tailed Hawk at Bybee Golf Course

Callout number two yesterday took volunteer Frank...

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RESCUE #456 Great Horned Owl in Lake Oswego

Yesterday, volunteer Tove responded to Lake Oswego...

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RESCUE #455

Yesterday, volunteer Manon responded to a grounded red-tailed hawk out in Happy Valley....

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RESCUE #454

Yesterday we received a call about a grounded red-tailed hawk in Southeast Portland—the...

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🌿 A moment of gratitude and honesty. 🌿

Volunteer Manon, recently shared with us and...

🎉 BIRTHDAY RESCUE HERO ALERT! 🎉 RESCUE #452 Today, volunteer Annette spent her birthday driving all the way to Salem to help an injured red-tailed hawk — and yes, this is not the first time one of our volunteers has responded to a wildlife call on their big day. The first slide - yellow-dotted line, is our North Willamette Watershed District map. It covers six counties and a HUGE area. The red dot 🔴 is where the patient was located. Our permit keeps us inside those borders, which means some calls land just a few blocks from the line… and still require long drives for volunteers. Today was one of those cases — a nearly 4-hour round trip for Annette from leave to home. The good Samaritan not only called for help but also kindly contained the hawk under a laundry basket until Annette arrived. (You all know we love the laundry basket move — it keeps patients safe, calm, and right where they need to be!) Because of their quick thinking, and because Annette said “yes” — even on her birthday — this raptor got a real chance. She took them straight to @birdallianceoforegon @wildlifecarecenter where the other heroes will take over care ❤️ 💛 Annette won’t brag, so we’ll do it for her. 💛 And for every volunteer who has ever spent a birthday, anniversary, or late night responding for wildlife: OCCRA WORKS because YOU show up. Thank you, Annette, for giving this red-tailed hawk compassion and safety on your special day. We hope this patient gets to celebrate many more birthdays thanks to yours. 🦅💛
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🎉 BIRTHDAY RESCUE HERO ALERT! 🎉
RESCUE #452

Today, volunteer Annette spent her birthday driving...

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BALD EAGLE RESCUE – PIER PARK, PORTLAND

Two nights ago we received a call from...

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We will share the full story later. Patient is going to care at Dove Lewis...