NEW Phone Hours: Our phone lines are answered daily between 6 AM – 8 AM, and 5 PM – 8 PM, subject to volunteer availability.
If there is no one available to take your call, please listen carefully to the instructions and follow them promptly to ensure the bird receives the necessary care as soon as possible. You can reach us at 613-216-8999
Safe Wings Ottawa and our dedicated volunteers have always striven to save birds. However, the increasing volume of calls, the growing number of birds needing assistance, and our limited volunteer resources have stretched us beyond our capacity.
Run entirely by volunteers, Safe Wings has been working since 2014 to reduce bird-glass collisions through research, prevention, and rescue efforts. Additionally, we try to assist other injured birds when possible, stepping in to fill gaps in Ottawa when we can. Please note that Safe Wings Ottawa is an independent organization and is not affiliated with the City of Ottawa. The City often transfers calls to us when they believe we can help, but we are not city employees.
Unfortunately, we do not have the volunteer resources to continue offering all our services. We are not a bird taxi service, and we truly lack the capacity to drive to every bird-related call. Our team volunteers their personal time and covers their own expenses, including gas. Furthermore, we do not have enough volunteers to staff a 24/7 phone line year-round.
We have made the difficult decision to alter our services to preserve our key operations and ensure the well-being of both the bird window-collision victims and our amazing volunteer team. Moving forward:
- Safe Wings will refocus on bird-glass collisions.
- Our phone line hours will vary based on volunteer availability and migration seasons, with a message directing callers to appropriate supports during off-hours.
- Our phone line will not allow voicemail messages. Obtaining assistance right away instead of waiting for the next volunteer shift is in the best interest of the birds.
- We will assess where and when we can provide guidance for other birds in need and may offer support in some situations.
- We will use our social media platforms to help you secure transportation for a bird through our network when possible. Please reach out via email as needed.
During the day, there are many other options for assistance, including:
- Contacting the Wild Bird Care Centre for guidance. (Safe Wings will continue to provide support when they are closed.)
- Asking friends, family, and neighbours to drive the bird to care.
- Posting on social media for help getting a ride for an injured bird using contacts, community groups, and other resources.
- Driving the bird yourself whenever possible, as it is the quickest way to get injured birds the care they need.
Thank you so much for your past support, and thank you immensely for your continued support! We could not have come this far in caring for birds without the people of Ottawa. Both we and the birds need your ongoing support. We can help you help birds, but we cannot do it all ourselves. If you would like Safe Wings to do more, please consider volunteering with us!
