Up close and personal with an owl and a hawk

Dawn Keller, founder of the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation center, recently visited the Kane County Audubon Society's meeting in St. Charles.

Keller and her staff treat 3,400 animals each year. Some cannot be released into the wild because of severe injuries that would hinder their ability to gather food.

Six of the 250 birds of prey that she treats annually have become her education birds, used at gatherings such as this.

Flint Creek is one of the largest privately funded animal rehab operations in Illinois. Keller has three locations in the Chicago area; the Barrington office is equipped for use by volunteer veterinarians.

The center is state and federally licensed with the goal of returning fully rehabilitated wildlife to its natural habitat. Flint Creek promotes respect for wildlife through public education programs.

To learn more about Flint Creek, visit flintcreekwildlife.org, or visit its upcoming Furry and Feathered Holiday Open House, set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at Spring Brook Nature Center, 130 S. Forest Ave, Itasca. Visitors can meet the education birds and get a behind-the-scenes look at the wildlife rehabilitation center, including a tour of the facility and a look at the wildlife hospital.