These birds have been injured to an extent that they have a permanent condition which prevents them from being able to survive in the wild on their own. Once we can determine that a bird is "non-releasable" we have two options: placement with a licensed facility such as our own or euthanasia.

Many birds do not make good candidates for placement. They make it very clear through their behavior in captive conditions that they will never tolerate this situation. Under no circumstances does any RROKI volunteer wish to force poor quality of life and constant stress upon the birds that live closely with us. These birds are given the freedom of euthanasia.

The decision to keep a bird in captivity is not a simple one. It is always necessary to make a serious evaluation of the bird's temperament. Many birds adapt very easily to life in captivity. They are good candidates to assist us or a group like us in the effort to educate the public about these birds. In the case of placement we can either keep the bird with us if we don't already have a bird of that species or we can find another facility which meets federal and state guidelines, and with which we feel comfortable, and place the bird.

The birds that reside year-round at Raptor Rehab of Ky.: