Guest Post by Ingrid Taylar

“Palomacy is here. We are here if you need our help, and, as always, we still need yours …. Palomacy loves you. We are each others’ friends and family. And, no social distance can change that.”

 

Those were the words shared by Palomacy founder Elizabeth Young as coronavirus took hold in our world this year, as normalcy and expectation gave way to uncertainty. Her words of reassurance and resilience — we are here no matter what! — capture the essence of why, after ten years as a Palomacy member and volunteer, I cherish this incredible organization as much today as I did on that one special afternoon a decade ago when I first met Elizabeth.

My husband and I were accidental rescuers of a racing pigeon named Chauncey. Humbled by fatigue and flight, Chauncey crash-landed into our lives, and into the urban apartment we shared with our elderly cat. She was a warrior of spirit so tenacious, she’d outlived the racing club where she was bred for sport and profit. She was banded but traceable only to a phantom loft that long ago folded and left her behind. And although she was born to fly, to fly fast, and fly home, somewhere along the way, she either took a wrong turn or came home to everyone gone.

Now, more than ten years on the wing, navigating the rivers and highways, cathedrals and cityscapes that used to guide her back to her mate, her family, and her familiar, she found herself alone, too tired, too hungry, and too sick to go on.

At this very same time, another warrior came into my life because of Chauncey. I was desperate to find a home for this extraordinary pigeon, and give her a life of serenity after years of forced labor on the racing form. I didn’t realize at the time just how many lost and wounded Chaunceys there were, or how desperate the need was for new pigeon homes. Rehoming Chauncey just wasn’t happening. I felt overwhelmed, wondering how on earth we’d manage our crazy existence without giving up on this sweet, courageous bird.

That’s when I met warrior Elizabeth and her then three-year-old rescue organization. She walked into our living room with a tenacity of spirit that matched our beautiful Chauncey’s. And she brought to us a bounty of encouragement, strength and determination to help us through those early days with a pigeon in our den. Elizabeth’s kindness opened our eyes to the profound gifts of peace and patience that Chauncey would bring to our lives.

One of Palomacy’s rescuers, Sindy, referred to the transformative power of pigeons as a “righting of the soul,” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s a righting that happens as we experience the grace and calm of these ethereal beings. And it’s a righting that happens because of the bridge that Palomacy builds — the bridge from those first, scary moments of “help, I don’t know what to do,” to a vibrant community of others who’ve been there and understand.

When I read Elizabeth’s recent words, “Palomacy is here,” I thought, yes you are. And you always have been … for me and for countless others, we neophytes and initiates into the realm of pigeon.

Palomacy is Pigeon & Dove 9-1-1, an encyclopedia of pigeon riches, a teacher, an advocate, and the friend who holds on tight in the middle of the night when you feel alone with the weight of empathy.

Palomacy is about genuine mercy and endurance during tough and heartbreaking times.

And, true to its mission of pigeon diplomacy, Palomacy is about reaching out in our communities and around the globe to inform, guide, and heal the harms too often directed at these misunderstood birds.

At its core, Palomacy is about love: love for that first pigeon or dove who self-rescues and limps across our threshold; love for our fellow humans who share this journey; and love between birds who find each other, like the love Chauncey finally found with her forever mate Clive, in a dream aviary, perched on grapevines in the Delta breeze.

This past year, when almost everything wobbled and tumbled, Palomacy continued to be, as it has always been, a steady hand of compassion, comfort, and certainty on a changed and shaken landscape. Palomacy is a valiant team of pigeon and dove helpers. It includes you and everyone interconnected here: every volunteer, supporter, and donor who gives in big and small ways to care for the birds most hurting, most in need — and for the humans they bring along on this amazing transformation.

 

Together in 2020, we have:

• Rescued and fostered 450 pigeons and doves in Northern California
• Placed 257 of them with adopters
• Through the dedication of our expert team of volunteer moderators, assisted thousands of Palomacy Help Group members (14,000 posts this year) How about something like: “Assisted thousands of Palomacy Help Group members and fielded 14,000 posts, through our dedicated, expert team of volunteer moderators”
• Brought Jill Shepard McMurchy on as Care Coordinator, with your help and a grant from Craig Newmark Philanthropies
• Stayed aloft through this year of crisis, helping more birds and people than ever

None of this would be possible without all of the help you’ve given to us this year, and over the past many years. You’ve been here for us, too. Our efforts spring from our shared compassion, and are made possible only through your generous support.

Please, if you can, donate today to help us continue this unprecedented work. Your contribution of any amount- $50, $100, $500- will save lives.

Thank you for being such an important part of our community! You light up every corner of our world.