The Southbank Bar in Nottingham is hosting an event organised by Em-Con with a Harry Potter theme, this includes the sue of wild, live rescued owls from a supposed sanctuary. We feel it should be obvious that Owls are naturally shy, reclusive, nocturnal animals that find loud bars with bright lights distressing. The loud music, loud humans and bright lights at pubs are extremely stressful to all animals. We would find it hard to think of a more frightening experience for owls, who have especially acute hearing and vision. Owls should have the ability to fly and be free and not caged or restrained, rescued owls should be kept in as close to natural environment as possible.
Em-con have replied inviting members of Nottingham Animal Rights to attend the night and see the owls for themselves to see the "high" standard of welfare and care they are kept in, we see this is as counterproductive as the animals will still be subject to the stress of the night. There is only one option for us here and that is the compassionate decision not to have the owls there on the night!

NO ANIMAL SHOULD HAVE TO EARN IT'S KEEP! Leave the owls at the sanctuary and raise awareness/money another way without exploiting these beautiful animals.

J K Rowling herself said about captive Owls "If anybody has been influenced by my books to think and owl would be happiest shut in a small cage, I would like to say as forcefully as i can, you are wrong" this in itself for true Harry Potter fans to not support the use of captive owls for entertainment.