Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, Inc (OWLS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife shelter where injured, sick, and orphaned native North Carolina wildlife is cared for in a professional and compassionate manner. Our mission is to provide quality care to the hundreds of injured, diseased, or orphaned wildlife patients brought to us each year. Our goal is to treat and release the animals we believe are capable of surviving in the wild. The number of wild animals we care for each year increases steadily as natural areas are developed and now treat over 2000 animals each year! The coastal region of North Carolina is a wonderful place, where one can live surrounded by beautiful beaches, lush forests, and - most important to us – an abundance of wildlife. We know progress is necessary, but new development imposes very harsh penalties on our wildlife. Some species readily adapt to change, but even the hardiest frequently lose out. We treat animals in distress and teach the public to care. Every injured animal that we successfully treat and release to the wild gets a reprieve - a chance to live a normal life, and most importantly, to reproduce. If that species survives, we have succeeded. ​