The Reality of Owning a Pet Owl: Is It Possible? While the idea of a personal feathered messenger is magical, . Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act , native owls are federally protected species. This means you cannot "own" one like a dog or a cat; rather, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains "stewardship" of these birds, allowing only specifically licensed professionals to keep them. Why You Can’t Just Buy One
: You can observe them from afar or install owl nesting boxes on your property to encourage local owls to move in. Owls as Pets - International Owl Center where can you buy a pet owl
: They produce large amounts of foul-smelling liquid waste and regularly "cast" pellets of undigested bones and fur. The Reality of Owning a Pet Owl: Is It Possible
: They require a diet of whole raw prey (mice, rats, and chicks) that you must store and prepare. This means you cannot "own" one like a
: Requires a multi-year apprenticeship and specialized state/federal permits.
: Organizations like The Owls Trust or Hawk Creek Wildlife Center allow you to "adopt" an owl. This provides funds for their care and often includes a certificate and visitation rights.
: They are most active and vocal at night, which can lead to significant noise complaints from neighbors.