‘Ex-Chancellor’ banking on a brighter future

(Back row from left ) Andy Kendall with Darling the latest rescued snowy owl, Haskins Mel Howith with Hazel the European eagle owl, Zsi Kendall with Venus, an Indian eagle owl (front from left) Owls About Towns Gavin Woods with Denis Healy, and Haskins manager Nick Joad with Ernie, a Harris hawk.

That’s the official term for a group of the enigmatic birds, in this case, looked after by East Preston-based Owls About Town.

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer’s namesake was rescued in a very poor condition from a metal dog crate, having been bought as a pet by Harry Potter film fans.

He’s now on the mend, but Andy Kendall, who runs Owls About Town with his wife Zsi, hopes Alistair’s rescue won’t be followed by more cases of people purchasing live owls and then finding they can’t care for them properly, following the recent screenings on television of the Harry Potter films.

He said: “People who buy them based on what they see in the films soon realise that an owl is not the most appropriate pet to keep for many reasons. We hope that people will think carefully as we rescued six birds in 2013. We would also be interested in taking care of any unwanted owls owned in the area.”

Alistair was among the owls taken to the Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre at Angmering by Andy and Zsi, to be admired by shoppers there.

“We find that the owls fascinate everyone who comes in touch with them,” added Andy. “Wherever we visit, we are delighted to share our knowledge of the individual species we take and many people enjoy the peace and therapeutic relaxation that the owls provide.”