On August 29th, 2012, Petal, a young king pigeon found stray three weeks earlier in Golden Gate Park, had developed neurological issues and was scheduled for shelter euthanasia. MickaCoo picked her up and took her into our foster care instead.

While there are good arguments to be made for triaging in rescue, MickaCoo has chosen not only to accept the injured and sick birds but to prioritize their intake. We do so knowing these birds will cost the most money, require the most care, bring the most heartache and take the longest to adopt. But they are the birds that need us the most. Healthy birds are sometimes adopted from shelters (more and more these days!) but the sick and injured are still more likely to be euthanized in a shelter than they are to receive avian vet care, regardless of the treatability of their condition.

Petal was supported and nurtured and recovered her ability to self-feed. She put on weight and got feisty. Her torticollis (neck twisting) persisted though and prevented her from progressing into an aviary (where she would have been bullied) and so her foster mom, Cheryl, continued to care for her as an indoor bird.

On October 7th, Cheryl picked up another death-row bird, this one timed out at the San Jose shelter and with no where else to go. She named him Wyatt.

Upon examination, we discovered that Wyatt had been injured and stitched up.

Injured racing pigeons are typically sewn up by their owners but the risk for infection is very high (and can be deadly). We took Wyatt to be examined by Dr. Speer at Medical Center for Birds for assurance that he was healing properly. Happily, he was.

Fostered in Cheryl’s bird room, Petal & Wyatt had started flirting through the cage bars pretty much from the start. When they were introduced, they immediately declared themselves engaged and, almost as quickly, married.

Wyatt is a very sweet, gentle homer (as they so often are) and he never gets impatient with his special wife Petal. They are an adorable couple. They are happy to be alive and grateful to MickaCoo’s supporters for saving them when their lives depended on it.

Because Petal’s neurological symptoms are aggravated by tension and excitement, she needs a mellow and easy going environment. We think she and Wyatt would be fine in a small aviary with another gentle pigeon couple or, of course, as cherished indoor pets. They need a home. They are ready for a home. Other birds, in trouble like these two once were, need their foster spot.

It’s not hard to provide a wonderful, happy life for a pair of pigeons. And MickaCoo will show you how and hold your hand throughout. And the pigeons will teach you too. To adopt, please complete our online application. To make a donation in support of this unique rescue, please visit our Donate Page.

Thank you.