ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) -- The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) said a county resident got a surprise from a special guest, and it wasn't Santa! AWLA said a Barred Owl decided to "play Santa and drop in-literally-through" a chimney of someone's home. Prince William County animal shelter invites Santa Paws to deliver adopted pets to homes for Christmas "Twas the week before Christmas, and perched on the tree was an unexpected visitor as majestic as can be!" AWLA said in a Facebook post. (Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington) (Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington) The owl made himself the new star of the Christmas tree before Animal Control came to release him back into the wild. AWLA reminded residents to cap their chimneys to avoid "curious critters" from visiting.