Western burrowing owl populations are slowly declining throughout their range.   Reasons for this are primarily attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural and urban development and the loss of burrows due to declines in populations of fossorial mammals from control programs.  In Arizona, population estimates suggest that the burrowing owl is widespread, being documented in 14 of the 15 counties, but is considered uncommon in the state.  Although the owls may occupy burrows in a variety of habitats and man-made structures, continuing development is destroying many burrows or filling them in with dirt, sometimes trapping the owls underground.  Surviving owls are forced to find new homes but locating a new area with suitable habitat is difficult.

In cooperation with Wild at Heart (WAH) , a non-profit organization, burrowing owl relocations are possible with the construction of artificial burrows.  Rescued are brought to Wild at Heart temporarily. The next step is finding them a new home.