Can you imagine how it feels to be an injured pigeon dropped off at a busy animal shelter? Dogs are barking, the people are hurrying past… You’d wonder, What now?

On August 18th, two young Roller pigeons were brought in to Oakland Animal Services as “strays” by the person we suspect is actually breeding them. (See What’s Wrong with Roller Pigeons?) Both suffered from malnutrition and have crippling bone issues and wounds as a result. (Often pigeon hobbyists will cull- kill- imperfect or unwanted birds so we are grateful that they were at least surrendered to the shelter.) Through the network of volunteers, we were alerted to their situation. Once pigeon rescue expert Jill saw them at the shelter, we knew that, without our help, these birds would be euthanized as unadoptable. So, somehow, overextended as we are, we had to fit them in. So we have. We’ve named them Kit and Caboodle. Both are tiny and adorable and, despite their issues, full of life.

Kit is very young- not even two months old. She came in very thin and with her left foot so damaged that the tissue had died and soon fell off.

With the help of antibiotics, pain relief and loving care from her foster mom, Kit is healing up beautifully. She’s gained weight and strength. She stands up proud, hops to get around and has even started testing out bearing weight on her stump. (We don’t think she’ll need a prosthetic foot but if she does, we’ve got the ability to provide one!) Kit has a happy life ahead. She will make some lucky adopter an amazingly dear pet.

Caboodle is only slightly older at about 6 months of age. His legs too are bowed from malnutrition and his radiographs show old breaks in both. His left leg is so bowed that it has knuckled his foot completely under and he needs corrective surgery to prevent further damage to both legs. His ability to stand and walk at all are at risk.

I fall in love with all of our birds but Caboodle has stolen my heart in his own special way. He is such a tiny but fierce and feisty little bird! He is full of confidence and opinions and not at all shy about expressing himself! He is full of attitude and has a dramatic eyebrow marking over one eye that makes him look extra angry (and cute)! Check out this video of him scolding his foster mom Jill.

We have been hit with a landslide of vet bills recently and we’re already struggling in the red but how could we say no to Caboodle? It’s just not an option to euthanize a bird so full of life. Our only choice is inspire more donations and to somehow raise the funds we need to fix his legs. Please help us!

Caboodle is currently hospitalized at Medical Center for Birds in preparation for corrective surgery. They are studying his radiographs and strategizing about how best to save his foot and the use of his legs.

9/12 UPDATE: We are thrilled to tell you that after more evaluation and discussion, Dr. Speer has recommended that we postpone surgery (possibly indefinitely) and see how well Caboodle can tolerate a shoe and whether or not it can improve his functionality and posture. So far, he’s doing great! (We do have lots of birds receiving vet care so if you donated towards Caboodle’s surgery, other birds such as Kendall, Bug, Perry & Reble.)

Your generous support is what enables us to save the lives of birds like Caboodle and Kit. Please, if you can, donate today.

Thank you for making Palomacy possible!