May 11, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Escape! (Read this BEFORE an Escape Happens)

Escape! (Read this BEFORE an Escape Happens)

Guest Blog Post by Juniper & Her Mom

Flint & Bloom

Editor’s Note: If you have pigeons as pets, they are not well suited to survive on their own and need to be safe at home. Here is an article about how to catch a pigeon or dove in need of rescue and below is Juniper’s story of pet pigeon Flint’s textbook-successful recovery.

On Saturday morning, I was cleaning the pigeon cage in our living room. When I took out the water, I left the door open so I could put the water tray back in. Our two pigeons have never tried to get out the doors of their cage — the doors are really small. But when I came back, Flint was standing right at the back door of our house, with a little stick in her mouth. And the door was wide open.

TIP #1: Don’t underestimate your pigeon’s ability to escape.

TIP #2: Don’t open the cage when nearby windows or doors are open.

I was terrified of what Flint would do. But I also didn’t want to scare her away. I called to my mom with a shaky voice.

When she came, our pigeon Flint was standing between us and the outdoors. There was no way to get to the door and close it without going directly toward her. The best thing my mom could think of to do was grab a light blanket and try to throw it behind or over her.

But Flint was super fast and as soon as mom moved toward her, she flew right out onto the back deck. Then my mom tried to get her again and she flew up on our roof.

TIP #3: If your pigeon is in the doorway or a window or outside, don’t chase or try to capture her unless you KNOW she can’t fly away from you (ie there’s a way to corner her).

As I was saying, when my mom tried to get her, she flew onto our roof. So my mom went up to the roof, too, thinking she could get her. Then Flint flew to the house across from us.

I felt incredibly guilty that I’d left the cage door open. And now she was out there with all the predators. And we didn’t know how to get her back.

Flint considering the possibilities from a neighbor’s rooftop

The first thing we managed to do right was to call Elizabeth at Palomacy and she started to walk us through what to do next. (If this happens to you and you’ve read this story, you won’t have to call Palomacy!)

Elizabeth told my mom to give me a big hug and say this has happened to a lot of people. She said the most important thing now was to stay very calm and get organized.

I pulled myself together and managed to be positive so I could help Flint get home.

TIP #4: STAY CALM

Elizabeth told us that Flint was definitely going to want to return home and we needed to make her return really inviting and easy. (Pigeons are all about home and they want to come home!)

TIP #5: CLEAR PATH OF RETURN! Prop open the door or window they escaped through. Make sure there is nothing obstructing your pigeon’s way home. Once out, they are spooky and nervous. They are most likely to fly back in if they have a clear, easy line of flight in. No swinging door, blowing drapes, no person or pet between them and their home. Lock your other bird(s) (and pets) up but keep everything as normal as possible with a clear, easy way for them to fly back in. (Don’t stand outside in front of the door yelling, ‘Come here!” like we did. You can be outside talking to them just NOT between them and their way back in.)

We made sure that Bloom, Flint’s mate, was safe inside the cage with the doors closed. And we moved the cage so it was even closer to our back door and Flint could see it (but still come easily through the door). Then we sat out of sight as we could while still keeping an eye on the rooftop where Flint was.

TIPS #6 & 7: As much as possible, try to keep eyes on your pigeon. If not yours, then your neighbors. Tell everyone you can that your pigeon is missing and make sure people understand she is a dear pet (since lots of people don’t understand pigeons as pets). Get the word out immediately to your neighbors that your pet pigeon has gotten lost and to contact you if they see them. (The NextDoor app is wonderful for this!) Make sure to tell people NOT to try to chase or catch your pigeon – just to call or text if they see her.

For the rest of the day, I sat in the very corner of the window looking out to where Flint was. He was standing on a rooftop near a dove, who was cooing. Then the door of the house he was on opened, and Flint got scared and flew away.

We also sent out a note to all the neighbors on the block and our friend posted it on NextDoor.

Juniper watching Flint. Can you spot him?

First he went to another neighbor’s porch and he let my mom go onto his deck with some food to see if she could get Flint to come to her. She failed again and Flint flew out of sight.

So my mom started going around looking on all the rooftops of the neighborhood trying to find her. At first, we put out food on other people’s porches. But then we realized that was a mistake because Flint might go to other people’s porches to get food, instead of ours. Which was bad because we wanted him to come home.

TIP #8: Don’t leave any source of food outside. Make your pigeon’s regular spot in the house be the only place she can get food and water. When your pigeon has escaped (or when you’re trying to rescue one in need), hunger is your friend. Use the lure of food and water to coax them indoors to safety.

We took all the food off our porch and the neighbors’ porches and, instead, put it inside the house, near the cage but as far from the open back door as possible. That way when she came in to eat and drink, we could close the door.

We saw Flint a few times during the day, flying a lot farther and faster than we thought she could. But each time she saw us, she would fly away.

All afternoon, neighbors would tell us they’d spotted her. Some of them sent photographs: like, Flint perched on the top of a roof looking totally happy.

When it was almost dark, one lady sent a picture of Flint flying halfway out of the photo. First she wrote ‘my porch.’ Then ‘your porch.’

While those texts were coming into my mom’s phone in the other room, we were in the kitchen, watching the window and hearing crows. We were getting really scared the crows would get Flint. Or that Flint would stay out all night (Elizabeth said if it got dark while she was still outside, she would roost somewhere and not fly anymore until morning).

Then suddenly, Flint just flew in and landed on top of her cage! We were super happy!

TIP #9: When your pigeon returns to your home, stay SUPER cool. Do not scare her or move toward her. Wait until she is out of the way of the door and you can close it behind without scaring her out again.

My mom wanted to go to the door right way, but I didn’t want her to scare him away all over again. I was whispering to her, “Not yet! Not yet!”

Then my dad yelled from the other room, REALLY LOUD: “You guys, the neighbor just called to say Flint just flew in our door!!!!” We all said, “Shhhhhhh!”

Flint was on top of her cage, looking down into it where Bloom, her mate, was waiting. Then Flint flew down to the floor and started drinking water and eating the seeds next to the cage. She was thirsty and hungry. That’s when my mom went calmly and quickly over and shut the door.

Then we all cheered!

The whole day felt like a dream. Or a nightmare. And then we woke up and Flint was safe.

Flint safe & home in Juniper’s loving arms

Flint back safe with Bloom

I hope this story will be helpful to you if your pigeon escapes.

April 3, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Pigeons & Leg Bands

Pigeons & Leg Bands

What Do Leg Bands Mean?

Starving, lost pigeon racing survivor, now named Woot, found help & love.

The vast majority of pigeons with leg bands are domestic birds, unable to survive on their own, that are bred, sold, exploited and endangered for “sports” such as racing and roller flying and businesses such as “dove release“. If a banded pigeon is hanging around or catchable, they need to be rescued.

The information on most banded pigeons is coded and only intended to record “winners”, not to recover “losers” which are what the lost, starving, injured leg-band-wearing pigeons are considered to be. If returned to those who endanger them, they are more often than not culled for being both a failure and a threat to the other pigeons’ health and bloodlines. Pigeons used for sports and business are treated as disposable. As soon as one gets lost, hurt, blown off course, hawk-struck, etc., they are worthless and unwanted. Pigeon breeders pride themselves on their tough culling (killing, selling, rejecting) of “inferior” birds. They will kill a weak or runty baby pigeon in the nest. They expect to lose many young birds in their training flights and many more in the competitions (“let the basket cull for you”). Many kill the pigeons themselves and/or sell “surplus” pigeons to be used for “dog training, falconry, target practice, meat, whatever”, as they say in their online ads.

Rescued pigeon racing survivor in animal shelter kennel

Pigeon racing survivor found grounded, too weak to fly, lucky to be taken to a shelter

Pet pigeons are sometimes banded with just a phone number or, as with Palomacy’s bands, “PIGEONRESCUE.ORG” so as to truly help the lost bird get home. You can order our bands here or find vendors who will customize bands for you. (We use www.BirdBands.com) Some bands are just untraceable plastic clip ons in various colors or with a two digit number and are used just to help differentiate birds within an owner’s flock.

Various bands removed from rescued birds, the biggest from King pigeons used as breeders for squab, the medium sized are mostly from rescued racing pigeons and the smallest from rescued rollers.

Rescued racer Finn with his racing band removed, Palomacy band put on

Palomacy PIGEONRESCUE.ORG bands are inexpensive, easy to use, come in dove, pigeon & giant pigeon size & can help your lost bird get expert help ASAP.

Should I Return a Banded Pigeon?

It depends. Pigeon rescuers have learned the hard way that it is better to provide a safe, non-exploitive home for rescued sport/business pigeons than to return them to their exploiters. If you find a pigeon whose band says “pet” or “rescue” or has a name or phone number, the odds are more likely that the bird could be returned safely but not always. White Homers, bred, used and lost for the “dove release” business sometimes have phone number bands and returning them is no favor to the bird. You don’t have to figure it out alone. If you find a banded pigeon, please join our Palomacy Help Group and post a photo for quick help. We can help you to care for the bird you’ve rescued and/or to find help. Usually, when a pet pigeon is lost, their person looks for them, posting on craigslist, Nextdoor, social media, lost and found sites, contacting local rescues, etc. and whenever we are contacted for help with a lost pigeon, we do our best to help them get home. (Learn about how to find your lost pigeon here.) People who use their pigeons for sport and business never contact us looking for lost birds. They don’t want lost birds.

Rescued pigeon racing survivor Clive has both a coded green racing band & a purple clip on band

Sport bands are coded with the club’s name, the bird’s hatch year and the bird’s ID number. They are designed to record who wins, not help those lost.

Clive’s racing band removed (this is his ID number, not his hatch year)

Pigeon racing is a cruel & deadly “sport”. Click this photo to learn more.

Some pigeons are banded with clip ons that are blank or have just a two digit number. Those bands are used more on “meat pigeons” like Kings (who never get out of their breeding coop except on the way to the butcher) or by hobbyists. They aren’t traceable at all.

Note the untraceable orange spiral band on this rescued King pigeon’s leg

Dumped & rescued King pigeon in the shelter with 2 untraceable yellow spiral bands

Some pigeon-keeping traditions include bells & “jewelry”

Rescued pigeon Pick wearing hhis Palomacy band

Pigeon racing casualty’s band says, No mercy

Racers will likely be culled for being “losers” who didn’t make it home quickly. Look closely at this band – it reads “No Mercy.” This was Anna, a lost racer who arrived in respiratory distress, was treated and given O2, and unfortunately could not beat her infection. This is the sort of thing (along with injury and starvation) that I see commonly happen to these birds. I’ve been criticized for not taking the time to track people down and ask if they want their bird. Anyone who thinks they deserve to go back to where they came from is welcome to look up all the bands I’ve saved and tell the owners how their birds suffered and died – and see if they want to pay their vet bills. I’m too busy cleaning, feeding, treating, and trying to save their lives.

-Pigeon & Dove Rescuer

If you feel like you have to contact the person who raced or rented out the bird you’ve rescued, please keep in mind that the hawks, cats, raccoons, dogs, cars, starvation, etc. that kill these birds don’t notify anybody. They just kill the birds, something pigeon sport and business people are comfortable with. It is expected. These birds are disposable to them. If a lost, starving and/or injured racing pigeon or “dove release” homer or roller is lucky enough to get rescued alive (most that get lost or hurt die alone, unhelped), they should be lucky enough to get a good, non-exploitive home. Also, most of the time, the banded birds aren’t claimed (because they aren’t wanted). Some racers will call back and tell you to give the pigeon food and water for a couple of days and then let it go as “it will continue the trip home” but the odds of the lost, weakened pigeon actually making it home alone are poor. It’s just something racers tell people so the “problem” is handled.

Banding Pet Pigeons (and Doves)

Pet pigeons should not be out flying around loose. Domestic pigeons and doves are easy targets for all kinds of predators and most who are allowed to free fly are eventually killed or lost as a result. Even a feral pigeon kept as a pet shouldn’t be out loose because, without the security and wisdom of a wild flock, they too are at high risk of being killed. After 12 years of full time pigeon rescuing, I can’t tell you how many sad stories I have heard that start with, “I used to have a pigeon…” You can give your pet pigeons a better chance of getting helped and home, if they ever get out or lost, by banding them with a rescue/pet type band. Palomacy is now banding all of our rescued birds with bright blue split aluminum bands that say PIGEONRESCUE.ORG to do exactly that. You can order our bands for your birds right here or you can order your own custom bands. We get ours from www.BirdBands.com

Rescued pet Ringneck dove Lily both wearing & contemplating Palomacy bands

Palomacy has commissioned these light blue split aluminum leg bands engraved with PIGEONRESCUE.ORG as an affordable way to help improve a lost pet pigeon or dove’s likelihood of being helped & getting home. If someone finds your bird, the band directs them to our Palomacy website.

The light blue aluminum shows up well on their pink legs, makes them recognizable as a pet rather than wild bird (so more apt to get help) & when found, improves their chances of getting home safely. If your Palomacy-banded bird is ever lost, notify us immediately for help & if we ever learn of a Palomacy-banded bird being found, we’ll be looking for their person.

CLICK THIS IMAGE FOR PALOMACY BAND ORDER FORM

Removing Bands

Many bands are clip on and can be opened and removed. “Closed” bands, slipped on to the feet of pigeons used in sports like racing, rolling, etc. are slipped on over the bird’s foot when just a baby and once grown, can only be removed by cutting them off. Closed bands can be carefully cut through with heavy duty cuticle nippers. They have narrow, one-sided blades that are slender and safe enough to slide between band and leg and also strong enough to cut/crunch through most metal and plastic bands with a couple of cuts.

Heavy duty cuticle nippers safely cut through most bands

Some bands are brass and too hard to cut off or a band can be too tight and need avian vet assistance to remove. They use dremels (carefully!) or specially designed bird band cutters. If a bird injures their leg, the swelling can cause the band to cut off circulation and it must be expertly removed as soon as possible or they can lose the foot.

Injured, swollen leg from which this racing band must be removed ASAP

Stranded Banded Pigeons Need Help

And Palomacy is here to help you help them. Please join and post to our Palomacy Help Group for fast help any time or email us. Rescued Scandaroon pigeon Shakespeare, found stray and too weak to fly and now happy, safe and loved, says, I’m so glad I got help, thank you!

Appreciate the work Palomacy does for pigeons & doves? Please support us with a donation if you can.

Donate online to Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

Support Palomacy as a monthly donor (receive a full color Palomacy wall calendar every year as our thank you!)

Send a check made out to “Palomacy” to Palomacy’s new address as of 9/25/25
P.O. Box 27148, Oakland, CA 94602

March 23, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Palomacy in the Time of Coronavirus

Palomacy in the Time of Coronavirus

If you need help, please reach out, we are here.

If you can help, please let us know because we need it.

Our rescue work continues with 167 Palomacy foster birds currently sheltering in place. We don’t have a sanctuary to close. All of our birds are cared for in the homes and backyard aviaries of our volunteers. We are limiting our movements to only the essential, we are miming air hugs rather than giving the tight squeezes we usually share. There is no slow down in the number of new birds needing help but all of the adoption fairs and outreach events are cancelled…

I have been at a loss for words while deeply moved by the eloquence of many.

GlobalGiving CEO Alix Guirrer, beautifully expressed in his Don’t Let a Virus Stop a Mission post what I struggle to articulate:

Most of our partners, however, aren’t directly involved in frontline efforts to stop the coronavirus. They’re deep in uncharted waters, too. Their economic struggle isn’t making headlines or mentioned in press conferences. But their work—to preserve the Amazon, to rescue stray dogs, to shelter the homeless—has never been harder, and it must go on. Suddenly, they must find a way to fundraise without a gala, educate without a classroom, rally their staff without four walls to unite them…

And so it is.

The Cat Town team, a rescue who, like Palomacy, focuses on adoptions for the “unadoptables”, changing minds and winning hearts all over the state, country and beyond writes:

In difficult times, we turn to family, friends, and the familiar comfort of our favorite places. Cat Town is all of these things for many of us. Thank you, as always, for helping us remain a safe refuge for cats who have no place else to go, and our deepest gratitude for anything you are able to do to help us weather this pandemic.

Our Palomacy family doesn’t have a homebase to share but we cherished our times together each weekend at outreach and adoption events– working and sweating together, hugging and laughing, teasing and consoling, holding each other up through the normal tough times which we of course all miss more than ever during this most awful and not normal time.

Palomacy is here. We are here if you need our help and, as always, we still need yours.

The thought that sticks in my head is of those ‘Take a penny, leave a penny’ trays. We are all in need and we all have much to give- in whatever form it may be.

Palomacy loves you. We are each others’ friends and family and no social distance can change that.

Please take very good care. Be healthy. Have hope.

You can reach me at Elizabeth@PigeonRescue.org and help is always available in our Palomacy Group.

Thank you for helping Palomacy to help so many! And please- adopt, volunteer and donate– so that we can help more.

March 19, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on For This One

For This One

With your support, she is who Palomacy helps.

Jay was badly injured, weak & emaciated

Exactly a year ago, we were contacted by a young man named Jimmie in Modesto, CA about a badly injured little pigeon who he found waiting for him at the door to the gas station where he worked. When he opened the door to go inside, she limped in with him. He knew she needed help but he didn’t have the resources nor knowledge to provide it. In her condition, she’d most likely be euthanized at a wildlife rescue. Jimmie contacted Palomacy and we put out the call for 911 help. Within hours, Melissa, a volunteer and experienced rescuer in the area, had gone to the station to meet Jimmie and pick up the little pigeon he named Jay. He sent along $100 to help with her vet care.

Jay was in rough shape, weak, skinny. Her head and eye were injured and swollen and she would neither drink nor eat. Melissa took care of her that night and another volunteer and rescuer, Daniel, arranged to get up very early the next morning, drive from Berkeley to Modesto (85 miles one way), pick her up and then head back west to Medical Center for Birds in Oakley to get her there first thing. We call that kind of emergency rescue going “lights and siren”.

Daniel absolutely fell in love with quiet little Jay on their ride together and he donated $1,000 towards what he knew was going to be a big bill. And it was. Others donated towards paying her vet bill too- Patti, Scott, Darren, Nath, and maybe you. Thank you.

At the vet’s office, Dr. Athena Gianopolous took over Jay’s care. In additon to the head trauma and ruptured eye, little Jay was severly emaciated (1 on the 1-5 body condition scale), had a broken leg, a broken bone in her wing and toxic heavy metal in her gizzard.

Jay’s radiograph told a painful story

She was given subcutaneous fluids, pain and chelation meds, x-rayed, leg-wrapped and tube fed and then, after all that, in her hospital cage, she stood up and did a little preening to arrange her mussed feathers and we all rejoiced in her toughness, filled with hope that this tiny, clever, brave little self-rescuing pigeon could perhaps recover and live a happy life.

Jay begins her long road to recovery

Brave Jay

And she has! When she was well enough to leave the hospital, she went to foster with super volunteer Jill who lovingly helped amazing Jaybird (as she calls her) make her incredible recovery! Jaybird’s broken leg healed up so well that you’d never know it was broken. Same with the bone in her wing. She flies great now! She’s a tiny queen bee ruling over a big flock in Jill’s aviary. Jaybird is an adorable, feisty, loving and very much loved pigeon! She’s married the cutest little manbird ever- Peewee- and today, together, they were adopted by their foster mom Jill! They are home!

Jaybird & her mate Peewee

We don’t know for sure how or why little Jaybird ended up in such bad shape but, based on the few clues we have, we suspect she is a feral pigeon who was found as a youngster, raised up by people and then lost or “set free”. Imprinted on people and deprived of the education and security that comes with pigeon parents and a flock family, she was starving and got injured, most likely struck a glancing blow by a car, and yet hurt and weak as she was, she had the presence of mind to ask for life-saving help. Together we said, Yes.

There are so many in need of help that rescuers often feel overwhelmed. I know I do. Recently I saw a dog rescue post about a dog they saved despite so many they cannot and they used the hashtag #ForThisOne and I really liked that. It’s like the starfish story, “It matters for this one”, and so it does. We placed 163 birds with adopters in 2019 and assisted hundreds of others. Every one we help matters. Just ask Jaybird.

Thank you for helping Palomacy to help so many! And please- adopt, volunteer and donate– so that we can help more.

February 29, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Cross Country Teamwork Saves 25 Lives

Cross Country Teamwork Saves 25 Lives

On February 15th, while already over capacity with 150 birds in Palomacy’s foster care, I received the sort of email that all rescuers fear: 25 shelter animals in need of immediate rescue. In this instance, it was 25 domestic Homer pigeons surrendered to the San Jose Animal Care Shelter. I was heartsick at the odds against them. We started posting, reaching out, searching for placements for these beautiful, at risk birds.

We were striking out everywhere. Anybody who rescues pigeons is pretty much always full up because there are so many in need and so few helping them. But, on 2/21, we got some great news: animal rescuer PJ McKosky had secured a wonderful aviary home for all of them at Stick House Sanctuary in El Paso, TX! Now the search began for transport. Within days, PJ and fellow rescuers had organized a plan to drive the 25 pigeons 1,200 miles to their new home. They needed to leave very early the morning of Saturday 2/29 so I went to SJACS the night before for the happy task of pulling the 25 incredibly lucky pigeons out of the shelter to start their long freedom ride home.

SJACS had done an amazing job of caring for and housing all the birds indoors (in dog kennels) for two weeks and everybody was in great shape. Shelter staff helped me to box them all up and by 6 PM, we were loaded up and on our way. Their first stop would be an overnight at Palomacy adopter Ranjini’s house.

I was thrilled to see these birds get out alive and start their journey to an amazing, safe forever home. I wasn’t concerned about them roughing it crowded in boxes for the almost two days the trip would take. I knew it wouldn’t be comfortable but pigeons are such good sports! They are amazingly sanguine and resiliency is their super power. They would be fine, I knew. I had envisioned they would sleep in the boxes, safe in the garage, until their transport volunteer Andrew arrived to pick them up at 5 AM the next morning… ,

But instead, Ranjini gave them their own room: VIP accomodations for their freedom night sleep over party! It was awesome!

All these pigeons knew each other, they were one flock that, for a reason we don’t know, wound up displaced and taken in to the animal shelter. They had been housed four and five to a kennel and so this was the first time in two weeks that they were all together again. It was amazing to see how happy they were and how quickly they got busy with the courting and romancing. A couple were ready to start nesting immediately!

And after their fun party and a good night’s sleep, Ranjini caught and boxed them all back up and Andrew picked them up at dawn. They made the trip in 24 hours and all arrived safely at Stick House Sanctuary! We are SO grateful to all those who made this miraculous rescue possible.

Safe, happy and home in their big, beautiful sanctuary aviary

Thank you for helping Palomacy to help so many! And please- adopt, volunteer and donate– so that we can help more.

February 25, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on EMERGENCY RESCUE FOR 23 “LIBERATED” KING PIGEONS

EMERGENCY RESCUE FOR 23 “LIBERATED” KING PIGEONS

On Sunday, February 23rd, someone bought at least 23 domestic King pigeons from a live poultry market and then, thinking they could survive if “set free”, let them all go in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Fortunately for the 20 that were rescued, Good Samaritans in the park that afternoon (including some who volunteer with Palomacy) recognized that the birds milling around in the street needed help.

King pigeons, bred for meat (squab) were “set free” in an environment they can’t survive

San Francisco Animal Care & Control was contacted and officers came out and rescued 10.

Safe in the shelter. Now they need homes.

Later in the evening, another bunch was found and again San Francisco Animal Care & Control was called out. They saved 8. Pigeon lover Jen who saw and called them in also contacted Palomacy and we met out there at 8 PM, miraculously finding 2 more.

It’s a miracle this bird was found alive

Jen spotted this one hiding in a tree & rescued him

These are super-lotto-winning lucky birds to be rescued alive

Jen soothes the rightfully terrified King pigeon

This story is still unfolding. I’m on my way to the San Francisco Animal Care & Control shelter now to assess and assist with the placing of these pigeons. They are domestic and unreleasable. They evaded the butcher for whom they were bred and miraculously were rescued before the raccoons, coyotes, cats, owls and hawks massacred them. Few would have survived one night in Golden Gate Park. (Read Elma: Sole Survivor for more info.)

These beautiful birds make wonderful pets, inside with the family or outdoors with other pigeon in a predator and rodent-proof aviary. We can help you to help them. Our fosters and adopters LOVE their birds. We hear “best pet I’ve ever had” a lot.

Apply here to foster or adopt, read our care guidelines here, see how to build a safe aviary here. Questions? Concerns? Join our amazing Palomacy Help Group for great support and if you can help with one or two or ten of these lucky, lucky birds, please contact Elizabeth@pigeonrescue.org or call 415 420-7204.

This story is still in process and updates will be provided as news develops.

Tuesday, February 25th Update

On 2/25, Palomacy volunteer Ari and I were able to assess the 23 rescued pigeons at SFACC and thankfully the majority were in good shape. We pulled the six pigeons obviously in need of immediate vet care- four sick youngsters and two adults- and rushed them to Medical Center for Birds whose staff stayed late to help.

The four pigeon youngsters- Bernie, Nacho, Sage and Pyot, stressed out, sick with respiratory infections and coccidia, were hospitalized for a week. The youngest and weakest, Bernie, went straight into oxygen but, despite all efforts, he passed away. Ellen had surgery to remove the giant tumor growing under her wing and one-foot Flaca, whose injury wasn’t new, came foster home with me.

The next day, I went back to SFACC to assess the other pigeons and pull six more into foster homes.

I delivered four lucky pigeons- Bernice and Winston, Arthur and Bianca, to Palomacy adopters Chie & Joey’s big beautiful new foster aviary.

And then I delivered pigeon youngsters Valiant and Eno to their new foster family and they were so lucky to have Michelle and Jack taking such loving care of them because they fell ill and needed vet visits and twice daily meds to get them through.

On Thursday, 2/27, super volunteer Jerri picked up seven more of the pigeons from SFACC and drove them all the way out to foster volunteer Robin’s aviary in Fair Oaks. One, Pinto, died unexpectedly the second night and all required flock treatment for worms and coccidia. The six survivors- Vesta, Dutch, Angelina, Wendy, Barron and Sandy are all doing well now.

During the night of Sunday 3/1, one of the four Golden Gate pigeons still at SFACC died unexpectedly, a beautiful, unnamed youngster who had appeared healthy and happy when I saw last saw her on Thursday. On Monday, I went and picked up her friend, now alone, and named her Lido. She (or he?) is a big, tall, rangy showgirl of a pigeon. On Tuesday 3/3, I picked up the three surviving youngsters from Medical Center for Birds all the kids are doing well (though Nacho is still sick with a terrible respiratory infection).

Lido

Sage, Nacho & Pyot being discharged from bird hospital

Lucky kids

Nacho, the white pigeon below, is still sick and fighting to get well. She and her friend Pyot (also shown) are staying together in my bird room so that Nacho can get the meds, support and rest she needs to get well. All of these pigeons are survival miracles- all were destined to be butchered but then got “released” to a park teeming with hungry predators. Thanks to the animal control officers and Good Sams who rescued them and Palomacy taking them into foster care, they now are safe. Thank you for helping Palomacy to help so many! And please- adopt, volunteer and donate– so that we can help more.

February 19, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on San Damiano’s Aviary: In the Spirit of St. Francis

San Damiano’s Aviary: In the Spirit of St. Francis

Rescued pigeons (including “dove release” survivors) now call San Damiano’s home!

This incredible life-saving aviary resulted from the learning moment of an innocent but misguided plan to include a “dove release” at San Damiano’s Blessing of the Animals Fair on October 5th, 2019. Lindsay Wildlife Experience, responding to an invitation to participate in the event, declined, writing:

“Lindsay Wildlife Experience does not attend events that include pigeon and dove releases. These releases are harmful to the doves and pigeons. I have included Elizabeth from Palomacy. She is incredibly knowledgeable about these events and can answer any questions you may have. If the dove release is canceled, Lindsay Wildlife Experience will reconsider your Lindsay in the Community request.”

And with that, the seemingly benign “dove release” was understood to be the dangerous exploitation that it really is and cancelled. Instead, Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Rescue was invited to participate. Volunteers Christiana Reed and Patti Delaney drove all the way from Sacramento to Danville, bringing rescued pigeons to receive and bestow blessings. They had a wonderful time, made many new friends for pigeons and helped to further San Damiano’s plan to create their own aviary for rescued pigeons.

Palomacy volunteers Christiana & Patti with ambassador birds Lulu & Dustin

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January 9, 2020
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Article reposted from “The Mickaboo Bird Rescue Companion”

By Shauna Hill

Mickaboo is often contacted about taking in birds whose owners are unable to care for them. A takeaway from this story would be a reminder to plan for your bird’s care in the event they outlive you, or illness prevents you from being able to care for them as you used to. That is a very important topic but that’s not the focus of this article. It’s to share how neighbors banded together to care for their neighbor’s cherished birds until the birds could be moved into Mickaboo foster homes. These neighbors are the kind of neighbors we all wish for, the kind that have your back and pitch in to go above and beyond bringing in the mail or mowing the lawn.

Mickaboo was contacted by one of the neighbors about a couple parrots he and another neighbor had been taking turns feeding and watering in the owner’s home (their neighbor). They had been doing this for months before finding out about Mickaboo. The neighbor who contacted us was concerned because the birds were

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left in the house when their owner became ill; the owner would most likely not return to the home. This was going to be a challenging situation as 1) we could not remove the birds without the owner’s permission and surrender paperwork, 2) we didn’t know if we had enough foster homes for them as our foster home capacity has been running low.

After a telephone call to the neighbor we found there were not just two amazon parrots, but also a cockatiel that had plucked a lot of its feathers and a blind dove living in an indoor walk-in aviary. Our first course of action was to see what foster homes were available. I reached out to Mickaboo’s volunteers and to our sister rescue Palomacy (https://www.pigeonrescue.org). Thankfully we found volunteers willing to foster all the birds. Step one completed!

Our next step was for the neighbor to reach out to the owner and their family and have a heartfelt discussion about the birds’ future. Not an easy topic and a hard decision to make for the owner who had these birds for 20 years or more. The owner appreciated that the birds would be cared for and formally surrendered his birds to Mickaboo. Onto the next phase.

Now that we were ready to take these birds, the last challenge was the physical transfer of the birds to their new homes. A date was set for all the volunteers and one of the neighbors to meet at the home. These birds had not had much recent interaction and were about to be removed from the only home they had known for many years. The removal was a process we had to undertake carefully, especially as these were not young birds.

The first bird to be moved was the blind dove. Palomacy volunteer and dove/pigeon whisperer Jill calmly gathered up the frightened older dove and safely loaded him/her into a carrier. Next, two members of the cockatiel team (Martha and Sheila) discussed strategy for catching the cockatiel, who had free range of the walk-in aviary. Sheila was able to catch the cockatiel quickly. Then came time for the two amazons, a bonded pair named Edgar and Bonnie. A male can be protective over its mate. Thankfully after some protest they were both loaded into their carrier. Then their cage was loaded onto Martha’s truck and the last of the birds were off to their foster home.

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Dove, cockatiel, and two amazons before going to their foster homes

These birds will need vet care and will soon be available for adoption. It was amazing how many people came together to help with this rescue. It was also amazing how these two neighbors stepped up to reach out to help their mutual neighbor in his time of need. This incident was a wonderful example of human kindness and compassion. The neighbors didn’t just care for the birds but went the extra step to find a rescue to help the birds find new homes. This gave the owner peace of mind knowing the birds were being cared for in the long term.

Updates on the birds:

Edgar and Bonnie – These two are settling nicely into their foster home and just had a visit to the avian vet. We are awaiting test results. One of the amazons has a fatty growth but otherwise both appear pretty good. They have another amazon they can chat with at the foster home along with other feathered and furry friends. They are enjoying expanding their diets with fresh vegetables and fruits. They accept food by hand from their foster family. Their foster mom says they are a pleasure to have around.

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The blind dove has been named Pris – She is doing very well for an older gal, settling in with her foster mom and slowly starting to accept loving head rubs from her. She has also had a visit from a friendly dove in the foster home. Her foster mom is taking things slowly, since Pris is older and blind. Pris is learning what companionship and a loving touch feel like.

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The cockatiel has been named Ruth. She is also settling in well though is skittish. She has only known life in an aviary for many years; once quarantine is over we will determine if she might enjoy life more in an aviary with other cockatiel friends, rather than with a human companion. Time will tell.

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If you would like to help these birds, there are many ways. Mickaboo’s website has information on how to donate so we can continue to help birds like these. We also have information on how to foster or adopt and other ways to volunteer (transporting birds or cages, helping at our outreach events, for instance).

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December 24, 2019
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Marian’s Flock & Angel Angela

Marian’s Flock & Angel Angela

This is the INCREDIBLE new home created for Marian’s rescued pigeons

Spoiler Alert: This is an amazing, happy story of kindness and generosity. Marian has been a volunteer bird rehabber for 36 years. She has helped doves, pigeons, songbirds, corvids, waterbirds, raptors and parrots in Modesto, Sacramento, Fairfield and beyond. Marian wrote, “All too often, I heard, “They’re just songbirds.” “They’re just pigeons,” as excuses for awful care and no care. So I would take them home. It was/is so heartening to learn years ago that Palomacy had been established. I’m a Mickaboo donor too, and that’s how I found Palomacy. I can’t do the work any longer, though if I get a call about pigeons or any bird, I can’t say no to a desperate animal. Each life matters. Their lives are just as important to them as our lives are to us.”

Indeed.

For many years, Marian soft released rescued pigeons to homes that she would visit to feed and water a couple times a week. When those sites were no longer available, Marian housed the pigeons she rescued in her own backyard aviary- lugging their 50 pound bags of feed, climbing ladders to winterize the roof, providing all their care- for as many years as she was able.

On October 4th, I received an email from Marian asking for help to rehome her flock of 36 pigeons. I was hit with a flurry of emotions: Gratitude to Marian for helping thousands of birds over so many years, sadness that she could no longer care for her flock, panic about how overfull Palomacy could rise to this challenge and a flicker of hope. Marian was offering to build an aviary for her flock if an adopter could be found.

Buoyed by Marian’s game-changing offer, I wrote back, “Thank you ever so much for all you’ve been doing through the decades to help so many birds! And thank you for being a friend & supporter of Palomacy! As you know all too well, it is always challenging to find adopters for pigeons but with your incredible offer of building an aviary on your birds’ behalf, it is MUCH more doable. It will take time but we should be able to help.”

I am constantly striving to develop and inspire aviaries for rescued pigeons- small backyard aviaries, big sanctuary aviaries, life-saving partnership aviaries and so, with Marian’s offer, I reached out to five Palomacy volunteers to start the conversation about short-term support and aviary building that I expected would require months.

And then, just five days later Angela the angel and her family answered all our prayers with an offer to build an aviary for Marian’s flock at their home!

Angela volunteered to adopt Marian’s flock

Angela is an incredible lover of animals. She has rescued and adopted pigeons and doves and shares her beautiful home with ducks, chickens, dogs and two banana-loving pigs. Angela and her husband Gabriel volunteer at our outreach events and now, in one heroic leap, they have joined the ranks of our biggest adopters!

Lucky pigs!

Happy ducks!

On Monday, December 9th, I had the privilege of meeting Marian and her 36 pigeons at Angela’s house to witness their moving in to there big, custom-built, safe, beautiful new aviary home!

Marian’s 36 rescued pigeons moving to their new home

Pigeons in transition

Marian’s pigeons released in their new home

It was an incredibly happy experience. Marian writes, “Their faces went from “We’re gonna be eaten alive” to “Our lives just became fabulous.” The looks on their faces, of contentment and joy were very visible. It was a joy to see them laying on the rocks taking sun baths after their water bath. And the flock on the tree trunk equally pleased with their new home. Both populations ignored food for about an hour, so happy were they in their new home. Most of these birds were hand raised as orphans. The others consist of racers and the others injured or starving.”

Marian funded & Angela created this amazing aviary for rescued pigeons!

Happy, lucky pigeons!

Pigeon party!

Post-bath sun-bathing

Proud adopter Angela!

I am so honored to be a part of such a kind and compassionate community, our Palomacy community. Marian saved and healed each and every one of these beautiful 36 pigeons with her loving care and now, thanks to her careful financial planning, has safely landed them in their incredible new home with amazing Angela! Angela’s committed to giving these birds the best gift pigeons can ever receive- a forever home. And lifelong rescuer Marian, already a monthly donor to Palomacy, has also made a big, extra donation to Palomacy to help us keep helping. Please plan ahead for your beloved birds’ future and remember, you can name Palomacy as a beneficiary in your will, trust or estate plan on behalf of your birds’ future. (Contact Elizabeth@pigeonrescue.org for assistance.)

BONUS VIDEO:
Angela’s Pet Pigs Tara & Pua Love Banana

December 24, 2019
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Bloom’s Story by Juniper

Bloom’s Story by Juniper

Our world is better when we are kind.

When we help a bird who needs us, we create a meaningful ripple that reaches far beyond that single mercy. Together we are stopping suffering, righting wrongs, inspiring compassion. We are changing the world with love and leading the way with hope.

When we began 12 years ago, we were told this would be impossible, that the birds we rescue were “unadoptable,” yet together we have adopted more than 1,000 into amazing homes (yours!) and helped countless others all over the country and beyond. You are a very important member of a small and growing community working towards compassion for all.

Thank you for being part of our Palomacy family. Thank you for working to save lives and change the world.

You make a difference every day.

Bloom’s Story

by Juniper

When I finally got Bloom, she was the sweetest little bird I had ever met. She would just snuggle and snuggle for hours.

I had waited years to snuggle a pigeon.

About three years ago, I went to the summer camp at the SPCA in San Francisco. There I met a pigeon named Mettle and fell in love with her. My mom said we weren’t ready for the responsibility.

Bloom did not come without a price! To earn her, I had to be “mature.” For example, not yelling when I got mad and cleaning up messes without protesting. For two years straight, I would beg my mom to adopt Mettle and she would say, “Keep showing me how mature you are.”

Mettle was eventually adopted by someone else, but my mom finally decided I was acting mature enough and she signed us up with Palomacy as a possible foster family. The next day, Elizabeth emailed back about Bloom: a baby King pigeon someone tried to “set free” from a live poultry market in San Francisco who was rescued from the street, injured and sick.

When my dad drove me to Oakland to pick up Bloom from Rachel who was fostering her, I could not believe it was actually happening. We brought her home and I sat in my room with her, snuggled, and showed her around the house. I love Bloom. Cleaning all that poop is 100% worth it.

She was still sick so we had to give her medicine. It felt horrible having to put her through the discomfort of sticking a syringe down her throat. She seemed like she was strong and getting better, but then I noticed a yellow fungus-like thing starting to grow inside her nostril. At first, no one was worried but then it got bad. Luckily, she already had a follow-up appointment with the vet.

My mom took her to the vet and when she came back, Bloom wasn’t with her. My mom said she had to stay for a few days while they figured out what was wrong and what medicine would work on it. For some reason, I was not that worried. Something told me that she would be ok. And sure enough, after a few unhappy days, she was back!

The only problem was that my mom had to give her more medicine: twice a day she had a shot, two nasal flushes and a dropper down her throat! The first time my mom gave Bloom a shot, it bled and my mom was so upset. “Mommy, it’s ok, she’ll be fine,” I said. And she was fine.

My mom felt bad because Bloom would get scared of her when she came near. But Elizabeth from Palomacy kept telling my mom she was doing a wonderful job, keeping Bloom alive, and that Bloom would forgive her. She said Bloom’s was one of the most challenging cases ever.

My mom says, “I have no experience rescuing or fostering animals and I felt so supported by Elizabeth. She was always offering to help, stopping by to check on us, giving us pointers – but not more than we could absorb, finding rides for Bloom to and from the vet (from her huge network of pigeon caregivers), and making us feel great for helping her. Palomacy did so much to keep Bloom happy and healthy that we were inspired to give more of our own time and effort.”

Finally all the meds were done and Bloom could live a healthy life with peace and snuggles.

Now every day, I come home, get a book, get Bloom, sit on the couch and just have her on my lap while I read. This is a fantastic feeling because Bloom is the most comforting and loving pigeon ever. She has the effect of instant love. (See more of Bloom’s story here.)

Palomacy thanks you for supporting us as partners, volunteers, fosters, adopters, donors!

Together we are creating a kinder world. Your support powers the rescue missions, foster and vet care, aviary building, humane education, adoptions- everything!

Please continue helping us do the impossible. Make a donation to support Palomacy today.

Elizabeth Young, Palomacy Founder, Executive Director