Palomacy is pigeon diplomacy.

We started doing this rescue work in 2007 because there was a strange and deadly gap in the animal welfare network. Shelters received domestic (unreleasable) pigeons every week but, instead of providing them with the care that all the other shelter animals received, they were usually ignored until they were euthanized. Even in the best shelters, even in the ultra animal-friendly San Francisco Bay Area.

Why?

Pigeons in shelters need homes too

While other animals with treatable illnesses or injuries were given vet care, the pigeons were not. Instead, they were euthanized.

While other animals were named and photographed and promoted on the adopt-a-pet websites, the pigeons were not. No one knew they were in need of homes so, not surprisingly, they didn’t get adopted.

And while all the other animals brought to the shelters — the dogs and cats, rabbits and parrots, rodents and reptiles, wildlife and farmed animals — had at least one rescue dedicated to trying to save them, the pigeons did not.

Why?

This gap was especially strange considering not only how closely connected humans and pigeons have been throughout our history but how common they are. Humans have been breeding and using pigeons — as meat and messengers, for sport, hobby, and ceremony — for thousands of years. Pigeons were the first domesticated bird.

First-century BCE Mosaic of Scene with Egyptian Columbarium for Breeding Pigeons, Photo from Biblical Archaeology Review

Right here in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are lots of pigeon racing clubs, fanciers, and hobbyists breeding thousands of domestic birds that fly the wild skies every year. But no one was rescuing the pigeons who predictably got lost or injured yet were lucky enough to make it to a shelter.

And all of this was made even more surprising by how smart, gentle, charming, and wonderful pigeons are as companions. They are easy to help! They don’t bite. They’re not destructive. They’re quiet and calm and make wonderful pets. They are domestic and unable to live in the wild.

When we started rescuing and rehoming these domestic pigeons and doves, we had to begin bridging this strange and fatal gap. We had to do something that wasn’t being done. We have a name for this work we do: We call it palomacy.

Susan Gilbert & her adopted pet Little Cloud making new friends for pigeons. Photo by Megan Wolfe

We believe that everyone deserves compassion, everyone deserves a chance. We advocate for pigeons and doves — all of them, whether wild, feral or domestic — every day of the year. We know that pigeons are a gateway to compassion. While most of the thousands of people we meet may never see another domestic pigeon, all will encounter the feral Rock Pigeons who are somehow able to live their gentle lives on our mean streets. We speak up for those birds, we debunk the myths, we inspire compassion. Pigeons don’t spread disease. Petting a dog or cat or eating meat are greater risks to your health than pigeons are. Those pigeons foraging for crumbs on our sidewalks are highly intelligent; they remember and recognize faces; they mate for life; they can fly 60 mph. They deserve compassion — as do we all.

Palomacy is pigeon diplomacy.

Domestic Blanco & unreleasable feral Bean had an amazing romance

Palomacy is a volunteer-powered, donation-funded, foster-based nonprofit rescue located in the San Francisco Bay Area saving the lives of domestic (unreleasable) pigeons and doves. We provide vet care, foster homes, and adoptions. Since 2007, Palomacy has placed thousands of birds and helped countless others through coaching, education, and referral. While our organization hatched as a local effort to help pigeons and doves in the San Francisco Bay Area, the need for what we do is unlimited. As perhaps the first organization in the world completely dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing, and rehoming the lost, injured, or displaced pigeon and dove survivors of exploitative businesses, hobbies, and sports, we are helping birds from all across the globe through our Palomacy Help Group.

To learn more about Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions, please visit our About page.

Thank you for all of your support and compassion. We are looking forward to helping many more birds and the people who love them in the coming year.

Elizabeth Young, founder & director, Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions