Council recruiting new trustees to see Three Owls work continue

Rochdale Borough Council has compiled a list of perspective new patrons to take over the charitable work of the former Three Owls Sanctuary.

So far around 20 good-hearted people have expressed an interest in creating a new charity for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured birds.

The council has arranged a meeting for Wednesday 24 March, 6.30pm at Rochdale Town Hall, where all the individuals who have contacted the council expressing a desire to pick up the work of the charity, will come together to explore the possibility of forming a new charity and bringing its work in line with the relevant legislation.

Peter Rawlinson, Head of Planning and Regulation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “We didn’t formally declare Three Owls a zoo. We actually offered several options which could have been easily implemented and would have kept the centre open without breaching any relevant legislation.

“Over the years we’ve supported the welfare of animals and we feel we should attempt to keep this work going. Since we heard the very disappointing news that Three Owls has ceased its operations, we’ve been busy speaking to potential interested parties who wish to see the former charity’s good work continue. And we’re happy to offer them all the technical advice and practical support we can.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help create a new charitable bird sanctuary is welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday 24 March, 6.30pm, Rochdale Town Hall.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager at Rochdale Borough Council, added: “This is a very pleasing development, one which I’m sure many local people will be happy to see being explored. It’s important that the council is taking the initiative to explore all the possible options to see the valuable work of the sanctuary continue.”

“It’s also touching to see the scale of support for the charity’s work from members of the public.”