Back in May of 2018, SFPD officer Leo found a grounded, wounded, and severely emaciated King pigeon. “Doc” was too weak to move, weighing a mere 398 g, instead of the 600+ that a King should be. Doc had head trauma. Doc had a bad case of roundworms. Doc had trich. Doc had a broken wing. Doc had a broken foot. What DIDN’T Doc have?

Fortunately, Doc was finally in safe hands.

After two hospitalizations, and surgery to amputate the broken foot that had continued to worsen, Doc spent time recuperating in Palomacy founder Elizabeth’s care. With rest, food, and love, he adapted to his changed body — and by August, he was managing just fine with one foot, strutting his stuff, and courting all the ladies!

Doc was ready to find his home and his person when Erin Kelley showed up. She took him home as a foster in January of 2019, adopting him officially less than two months later.

We love to see our birds find their forever homes. And so it was sweet and sad to receive the following message this morning:

Hello, I wanted to reach out and thank you for allowing me to adopt one of your rescues back in 2018. His name was Doc at the time, with an amputated foot and a broken wing. He was renamed to Sweeney and he was an amazing support in my life during an incredibly hard time.

This past Thursday, Sweeney was rushed to the vet for unusual behavior and we were unfortunately given the news he most likely had heart disease and possible heart failure. He was sent home with antibiotics and a prescription the next day for heart meds. Unfortunately his condition rapidly worsened overnight.

On Friday he was barely responsive and constantly passing blood out of his stool. We suspect he had multiple organ failure. At 12 pm I finally made the incredibly hard decision of allowing him to pass peacefully rather than draw out his suffering.

I just want to properly thank you for allowing me to have him for these eight and a half years. He was an amazing bird with an incredible personality. Thank you for giving these birds the second chance they deserve.

King pigeons are raised for meat, and most of them don’t live past four weeks, when they are sent for “processing”. Sweeney had over nine years — a hard start and then a loving home where he spent his days as a cherished companion. And he had a peaceful end — what a gift that is for a domestic pigeon who was discarded on the street and facing impossible odds. We wish all of our birds could have a home like the one Sweeney found with Erin.

Enjoy these pictures of Doc/Sweeney over the years, and please consider fostering or adopting rescued birds! You can make all the difference in their lives.