September 18, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on Dove Releases: A Plea to Cemeteries and Funeral Directors
Please Say No to “Dove” Releases! and a proposed alternative Content warning: this article discusses bird injury and death. Please take care. The Unseen Cost of Dove Releases White doves are universal symbols of love and peace, yet every single … Continue reading
September 15, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on The Rough Start and Happy Life of Doc aka Sweeney
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 … Continue reading
August 19, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on Outreach With Palomacy — Join Us!
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. … Continue reading
July 5, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on The Rescue of Hydrox and Rainbow Bob
In early June, a call came in from an elementary school principal in Richmond. Two pigeons were hanging around the school yard. The children, ages 4 to 12, were picking up the birds and carrying them around, and the principal … Continue reading
June 30, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on Pigeon Story Time at the Berkeley Public Library with Pickles, Peck, and Mardi Gras!
We sat in the front of the room with Emma Coleman, the marvelously talented librarian at Berkeley’s central location. On our knees sat three pigeons: Peck, Pickles, and Mardi Gras. One small, one medium, one party-sized! We looked out … Continue reading
April 18, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on Welcome to New Board Members and Gratitude to Those Retiring
Palomacy is excited to be welcoming some new members to our Board of Directors! When she retired as Director of Palomacy, founder Elizabeth Young said, “I’m leaving the job but not the work.” She is making good on that … Continue reading
February 13, 2026
by Cynthia Bardouka-Large
Comments Off on Every Day is Valentine’s Day in the Ploughshares Aviary!
Pigeons run on love – it’s what fuels them every day. They flirt, pursue, court, marry, and settle down with the mate they will (generally) stay with for life. And, if they are parted by death or circumstance, they … Continue reading
January 15, 2026
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on End-of-Year Fundraising a Success!
A big thank you to all of our amazing supporters who so generously donated to Palomacy at the close of 2025. Donations for the month of December plus GivingTuesday totaled nearly $27,000! We are so grateful for you. Your … Continue reading
January 13, 2026
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Craig Newmark Foundation Grant
By Cynthia Bardouka-Large For his recent birthday, Craig Newmark announced that he had signed the Giving Pledge. He wrote, “Seems like a good way to enter my mid-seventies, which I have done today.” On the Giving Pledge website, his letter … Continue reading
December 17, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Reflections on 2025
By Cynthia Bardouka-Large Dear friends, Looking back on 2025 as the year draws to a close, what really stands out to us is…YOU. Palomacy began when one compassionate heart saw a need and did something about it. The movement Elizabeth … Continue reading