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