On February 25th, 2023, Palomacy Pigeon and Dove Adoptions applied for an emergency funding grant from bird-loving super-philanthropist Craig Newmark.
We wrote:
This grant will be used to advance Craig’s drive for pigeon positivity through Palomacy’s ongoing work rescuing hundreds of pigeons and doves; educating thousands of people about their plight and potential; and reducing the prospect of harm and cruelty for millions of birds. We are continuously building a broader-based, ever further-reaching, rapidly growing coo-mmunity of people helping people to help birds. This grant will be deposited immediately upon receipt as operating cash/seed funding for our brand new, independent 501(c)3 public charity. Our name, mission, and practices will be the same; administrative costs will be reduced, and the number of birds served will increase.
The next day we received a wonderful email saying, “Hey, Elizabeth, I want to share the news that Craig Newmark Philanthropies has approved a one-time gift of 25K, and the money is currently on its way to you. I’m excited to support Palomacy Pigeon and Dove Adoptions and look forward to seeing your projects come to fruition. While I have a sense of humor, I really do love birds, and try to help in a very modest way. Palomacy does a job I really appreciate.”
And with that, our beloved Palomacy has launched!
One could say that Craig Newmark is the wind beneath our wings!
Freedom
Hawk-struck, domestic King pigeon in trouble
The Bird
This King pigeon, bred for meat (squab), was most likely purchased from a live food market and then “set free” as part of a ceremony or a misguided “mercy release.” She is domestic, without a wild ancestor for hundreds of generations. She has no survival instincts and no safe place in the wild, but she is very smart. She knows that she’s in a bad situation. She has no access to any of the things that she needs: no protection from predators, no one to provide food and water, and no other pigeons to be with. She hangs out close to where she was released because she has no place to go, and even if she did, she isn’t a good flier. This photo was taken by a nice person, Virginia, who, in her backyard, saw her attacked and then dropped by a hawk that Virginia startled. She named her Freedom.
The Good Samaritan
Virginia’s message came into the Palomacy Help Line on March 2:
Yesterday I saw a hawk on the side of our house and it dropped this pigeon when I startled it. It does have some wounds on its back. We brought it inside for the night and gave it food and water. We called the local sanctuary. However, they won’t take it. I’m not sure if you have any contacts in the Modesto area that could nurture it back to health. We tried to release it and it just walk into the corner of our yard and didn’t fly away. We have brought it back inside for the evening. We left it outside for a bit to see if it would fly away but no luck.
The Rescuers
Palomacy Help Line volunteer Adrienne quickly responded, counseling Virginia to keep the pigeon indoors and asking assessment questions: Is the bird eating, drinking, and pooping? Active and alert? Is there a foul smell coming from the wounds? The answers were mixed with yes to eating, no to active, and no to smell. Fearing a potentially severe injury, Palomacy Care Director Jill coordinated with adopter and foster volunteer Pam in Manteca to receive the pigeon that night and transport her first thing in the morning (42 miles one way) to Medical Center for Birds. Freedom was examined, then her wounds were cleaned and treated. She’s now on antibiotics, pain medication, and treatment for a yeast infection. Freedom eluded the butcher, escaped a hawk, and defied the odds to get a chance to live. Her prognosis is cautiously optimistic and once discharged from the bird hospital, she will stay in Palomacy’s foster care until she is placed with a screened, trained, and approved adopter. Freedom is safe.
The Donors Who Make It All Possible
Palomacy Pigeon and Dove Adoptions rescues birds by the grace of our donors. We don’t charge for our services, though we do ask for donations because the services we provide aren’t free. We employ two (very) full-time staff to coordinate more than 100 highly effective, skilled volunteers to assist every step of the way as we save hundreds of birds and educate thousands of people every year. (See What Is All This Palomacy, Anyway?) Our vet bills alone average $8K a month. Palomacy bills will total about $250K this year—but that will only cover those expenses we pay for. Our work is largely subsidized by the incredible generosity of our volunteers who donate not only so much time and labor but who also cover the in-kind costs for everything from gas and tolls to foster-cage buying, aviary building, bird food, pigeon pants, and so much more.
Palomacy’s donors provide the foundation for everything we are able to do, for every plea we answer, and every life we help.
Freedom thanks you
In the past month, Palomacy urgently needed $18K to clear our 2022 revenue shortfall. Five extremely generous and fast-acting emergency donors ransomed us from our debt while our ongoing supporters covered about $17K for the current monthly expenses. Then our biggest donor, Craig Newmark, invested $25K in Palomacy’s future, allowing us to launch ourselves as an independent, nonprofit public charity.
Every day, we are challenged to help the birds and people who depend on us. We are able to be here, doing this wholesome work, thanks to you.
Freedom thanks you.
Thank you, Craig! (Creative credit to The Coalition of Women in Journalism)
See how Craig became Palomacy’s most generous donor: Craig & Eileen: Pro Pigeon!
