Volunteer, Board member and outreach lead Christiana and Sugar sharing the love of life with pigeons!
Let’s talk about pigeon (and dove) diplomacy!
Palomacy has a LOT of outreach events coming up. We will meet hundreds of new people, who come up to our table and go from astonished to charmed in a matter of minutes.
Pigeons and doves suffer most of all from a lack of visibility, which leaves them out of the wider conversation about pet adoption. We are changing that! One event at a time, we are out there speaking up for them and introducing them to the public. Pigeons and doves are their own BEST ambassadors, but they need us to make the introduction. It’s crucial work. It’s how we find foster and forever homes, and it’s where we meet people who will go on to become part of our Palomacy community.
Welcome sign at Fremont’s Pet Food Express!
Outreach events are also a GREAT way for new volunteers to learn the ropes. You don’t have to have any bird-handling experience — we will teach you everything you need to know. Pigeons are EASY! If you aren’t feeling confident about handling birds right away, we have plenty of other jobs for you to do – if you show up, we will put you to work with huge thanks!
“Pigeon-curious” but don’t know if you are ready to foster or adopt? Volunteering at outreach events is a fantastic opportunity, not only to get some experience with bird-cuddling, but also to learn about rescuing, handling, care, and history as you listen to the veteran volunteers answer all the guests’ limitless questions.
Want to know more about volunteering? Here’s what’s involved:
Frequency: Commit in advance only to the dates/locations you choose (we’ll invite you as opportunities are calendared)
Skills needed: Friendliness and reliability – no experience necessary! You can bring your own pigeon or dove (safely contained) for an incredible bonding opportunity (even if you don’t think they would like it*) or borrow one of our ambassador birds. (We also have pigeon pants to loan.)
Location: Throughout Greater San Francisco Bay Area (Sacramento to San Jose)
Want to do this? Please complete our volunteer application and we’ll connect to discuss the possibilities.
And check our Events Page frequently for outreach opportunities.
Scroll down to see pictures of volunteers, birds, and new pigeon fans at previous events!
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- Volunteer Ryan with Luigi!
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- Brand new pigeon fans Noelle and Siv with Mardi Gras!
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- Volunteer Natasha-Jade with Peck!
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- Voluteer Mia with Mardi Gras
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- Volunteer Blair with her adoptable bird Penguino!
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- Palomacy outreach lead & Board member Aileen with Boomer!
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- Palomacy at Woofstock with volunteers Marla, Bee and Denise!
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- New pigeon fan Neda with Peck!
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- A busy outreach with Justine and Neil at Berkeley Bay Festival!
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- Chris pijucating the new generation — Berkeley Bay is a big outreach!
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- Neighborhood heros day at Lakeshore Elementary in SF! Dennys, Cynthia, Blair, and Monica
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- Dennys shares the very friendly Mr Higgins with the Lakeshore students!
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- New pigeon friends Liza, Wyal, and Zuzu with Peck!
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- Palomacy in the South Bay have been holding it down for years! Liese, Fern, Ruth, Sarah, Adrienne and Blair.
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- Cynthia with Palomacy founder Elizabeth at the Bernal Heights Earthday fair
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- Under the stars at the California Academy of Arts and Science!
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- Pet Food Express is one of our favorite places for outreach! Linly catches a quick cuddle with Cooper!
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- Street fair and festival organizers and volunteers — like Candy at Joybound – are always so welcoming to our humans and birds!
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- Higgens and Cookie are amazing ambassabirds!
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- Volunteer and adopter Ari with Leia!
“Outreach volunteering allows for both the connection of pigeons to the community but also shows society that these birds are both so loving an humble. I also really love when people say ‘this is the first time I am touching a pigeon!’ or ‘I have never been this close to a pigeon!’ I think this erases the dirty lens that society paints over pigeons, and makes them more well respected.”
— Outreach volunteer Denny Balestra
*Pigeons who are skittish or standoffish in the aviary or home will often relax and warm up to be handled during outreach events. Your bird may surprise you! If they truly aren’t enjoying it, we’ll be able to tell, and they can spend the event relaxing in their enclosure, watching the fun.
