JUNE 13, 2023 UPDATE:
We had a great Pigeon Appreciation Day demonstration at the Sacramento Capitol building today! Extra special thanks to Cynthia Harris & her wingman Steve Morgan for all their great organizing, publicizing, hosting & leading of this wonderful event! Thanks also to Christiana Reed, Heather Hamilton, Jerri Grindle Pelletier, Aileen Paterson, Jill McMurchy, Erin Page Blanchard, Halima Maureen, Tony Sehgal & everybirdy working to help pigeons.
On Tuesday, June 13th, Pigeon Appreciation Day 2023, I and some of my fellow rescuers (organized by Sindy Harris of SindysPigeonService.com) will be at the California State Capitol to demonstrate for enforcement of the laws against abandonment of domestic pigeons and to raise awareness about this cruelty. (Join us live online at Facebook.com/groups/Palomacy)
Thousands of domesticated pigeons are transported miles from their homes and “released” to try and fly back for human entertainment. (See What’s Pigeon Racing? & Why “Dove Releases” Are Cruel) These domestic birds have no survival skills- no ability to find food or water or protect themselves from predators- and many don’t survive the ordeal. They get lost, injured, starved, or killed. These highly intelligent, deeply emotional, gentle, loyal birds are used as if they are disposable. And the birds that are inevitably hurt and lost aren’t wanted by the people who use them. They make no effort to help or recover them. Most of the birds die without ever getting any help. The birds suffer a lot and if they are super-lotto-winning-lucky enough to get help, it is thanks to the generosity of good Samaritans, shelters, and overwhelmed rescuers, not the people who use them.
I know because I am the founder and director of Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions and we have assisted thousands of these stray birds since we started rescuing in 2007. Our community is called upon every day to try and rescue these suffering birds. It is heartbreaking to see what they endure and maddening because it shouldn’t be happening.
How is it legal? Is it legal? Does it not violate California Penal Code 597s against abandonment? The law says it is illegal to purposefully abandon an animal. Another statute, Penal Code Section 597.1, criminalizes leaving animals without proper care and attention in any building, enclosure, lot, street, or another public place. Pigeon racers transport and abandon thousands of pigeons for every event!
I am writing to invite your support and participation. If you agree that domestic pigeons should not be transported miles from home and “released” with no means of survival for human entertainment, please join us in person or online as we demonstrate for pigeon protections in Sacramento June 13th. Please email Elizabeth@PigeonRescue.org or call 415 851-5948 with questions or to RSVP.
California leads the country in animal protection, but this deadly gap needs to be closed.
Pigeon Appreciation Day Demonstration for Pigeon Protections
There are still a couple of openings in the AirBnB in Sacramento that Sindy is providing the night before for sign making & team building! Please RSVP with Sindy to reserve a spot.
And please SUPPORT Palomacy’s life-saving, culture-changing work.
