September 11, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Destringing Pigeons: Freeing Feet and Opening Minds

Destringing Pigeons: Freeing Feet and Opening Minds

Guest Post by Suzy Cincone

Anyone who has lived in an urban environment has seen stringfoot pigeons; many wonder how the feet of these birds come to be bound and twisted, but few people seem to realize that something can be done to alleviate the suffering of these beautiful birds. Although I am a recent arrival to the world of destringing pigeons, this practice is certainly not a new phenomenon. The most perfunctory online search reveals a variety of stories from at least the last few decades of individuals who undertake pigeon destringing, and there are undoubtedly countless other individuals whose destringing activities have gone completely unnoticed and unheralded.

Not long ago I came across the intriguing case of British author and critic Naomi Lewis, noted for her animal advocacy and her pigeon rescue efforts. It isn’t clear precisely when her pigeon destringing efforts started. She moved with her family to London’s Red Lion Square in 1935 and lived there until her death in 2009; her apartment became a haven for injured creatures and famously off limits to visitors, although “she was once observed releasing a convalescent pigeon from one of the windows.”[i]An article from the London Times in 1995 commented on the plight of stringfoot pigeons in the city, and on Lewis’ activities — when the article was written, Lewis was already in her 80s: “The writer Naomi Lewis goes round London with a small pair of scissors especially to help them. She has become expert at spotting pigeons in this plight, pouncing on them, picking them up, and cutting them free.”[ii]More recently, an author once acquainted with Lewis noted her passion for rescuing stringfoot pigeons: “Luckily for them, she knew where they were. During her hours of cycling around and wandering the streets, distributing bird seed, she had learned where the crippled ones lived. Imagine her patience – the endless searching, trudging, scattering, waiting, day after day, until she eventually caught them.”[iii]The image of Lewis, an elderly, “diminutive, velvet-clad woman,”[iv]bicycling and trudging about London in search of stringfoot pigeons is compelling and inspiring. Perhaps part of what draws me to the story of Lewis is that articles that mention her (including her obituaries) suggest, in the nicest way possible, that she was quite an eccentric, and her attraction to urban pigeons seems to be one of the factors that contributed to this assessment of her character. We who love pigeons are keenly aware that this love is often equated with eccentricity.

Judging by the reactions I have seen among people on the street who witness the process of pigeon destringing, it is an activity generally perceived as eccentric, and at first the reasons it is needed and done are difficult for observers to grasp. But once these somewhat confused and often skeptical bystanders understand what is going on and why, they are just as often supportive of efforts on behalf of pigeons and some are even anxious to participate. The evidence before their eyes helps to convince observers of both the beauty of these birds and our responsibility to help them. The destringing of urban pigeons can be seen as much more, therefore, than simply an effort to assist wild creatures to have lives free of suffering. It is one more way that we pigeon champions can help to normalize the public perception of all pigeons as valued and valuable creatures.

The Destringing Process in Action

What is the experience of destringing a pigeon like, and how is it done? There are many others who have been destringing for years, have handled countless stringfoot pigeons, and are so much more well-qualified than I to discuss this experience. With apologies, therefore, for my inexperience, I’d like to recount one of my own destringing experiences in San Francisco as a way of introducing the destringing process in general.

Finding a stringfoot pigeon

Last week, a Muni failure forced me off the train at Church and Duboce. I had my destringing kit with me; I was headed for the Embarcadero, where there is a large population of stringfoot pigeons. Walking towards Market Street, I passed the Safeway parking lot and caught a glimpse of a pigeon flock there, browsing, preening, and flirting. Just in case, I stopped to check on them — and immediately spotted a beautiful white and grey girl with string on her feet, her feet bound together, barely able to walk.

Catching the stringfoot pigeon

A crucial aspect of the destringing process is, of course, catching the pigeon. This is an acquired skill (one I am still working on), that requires much practice and patience. For those living in cities that are fortunate enough to have Stringfoot Pigeon groups, one of the best ways to learn how to catch pigeons is one-on-one expert coaching.(For Jodie Foreman’s invaluable pigeon-catching tutorial, please see this video provided by the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group:https://youtu.be/xgwO4EVKVxM.) Destringers seem to each develop their own approach to catching birds. For myself, I find that the position and disposition of the pigeon are the most important factors. I have the greatest likelihood of success if the pigeon is facing towards me (can’t easily fly away); is hemmed in by other birds; and has shifted its attention from me to the food I am dropping. After three tries and almost giving up all hope, I managed to catch this white and grey stringfoot girl.

Destringing

The actual destringing can range from a simple process, when the string or hair is easy to see, loosely wound, and easily removed, to a monumental challenge when the material is voluminous, woven in complex layers, deeply embedded in the foot, or has already caused a lot of tissue damage and deformity. Although each case is very different, at the most basic level the process involves spraying the foot with something like Vetricyn to clean, loosen, and soften the fibers, dirt, and any dead tissue; and then very gently loosening, cutting, and unwinding fibers from the foot. Unwinding when possible instead of simply cutting helps to ensure that no hair or thread remains embedded in the skin. (There is a very helpful tutorial illustrating the destringing process provided by the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group: https://youtu.be/K9frBh9nrFk.) Fortunately for me and for this pretty pigeon, her string — which looked like a combination of twine and dental floss — was easy to see and remove, although cutting into her foot quite deeply.

Releasing the pigeon

Of course, once the pigeon’s feet are free and disinfected, the pigeon should be released back where caught and, if possible, in sight of her flock, who she will want to join quickly in order to recount her unpleasant adventure.

Why we do it, when we shouldn’t, and how you can help

One of the factors that motivates me to destring stringfoot pigeons seems so self-evident that it almost goes without saying: these pigeons cannot remove string from their own feet. If you take a moment to really consider this simple fact, however, the enormity of it can be overwhelming. To realize this fact is to accept the knowledge that each and every stringfoot pigeon will live their entire lives in ever-increasing pain, acquiring infections, losing digits and feet, and becoming unable to perform the basic activities required to live, unless a human sees their need, picks them up, and frees their feet.

Alongside the recognition of this need, destringers also have to realize their own limitations. Even in the brief time I have been destringing, I have seen heartbreaking examples of pigeons with deformed and painful stringfeet who I simply could not catch. The numerous destringers who have more experience than I must have countless such stories. Jodie Foreman, who started the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group and several groups in other US cities, told me that when she is out but does not have her destringing kit with her, she tries to resist looking at pigeons (I believe she now carries her kit at all times!). Although it is hard to resist, there is no advantage to catching a stringfoot pigeon if one is unprepared to destring, and destringers advocate against removing any pigeon from its flock, its mate, and possibly its babies.

There are many resources available for anyone interested in helping to free the feet of these beautiful birds. The facebook group “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” (and groups in Denver, Chicago, Washington, Seattle, and Los Angeles) provides a wealth of information about finding, catching, destringing, and the complex issues that can arise in the destringing process. Experienced destringers on these forums give generously of their time to answer questions, give advice, and provide training.

There are few forms of wildlife rescue that demand as little from the rescuer as destringing stringfoot pigeons. If you are willing to do some research, buy a handful of supplies, and you have a bit of time, you can doubtless find stringfoot pigeons in need of help near you, regardless of where you are. And it is difficult to imagine another rescue activity that can provide the same level of instantly transformative relief from pain and disability, and lasting impact on quality of life, as freeing the feet of these gentle and beautiful creatures.

Suzy is a pigeon supporter and Palomacy volunteer who will soon be studying Veterinary Nursing in New Zealand in order to improve her skills rescuing birds of all types. She’s hoping to start a Stringfoot Pigeon Group in New Zealand.

[i]“Naomi Lewis,” The Telegraph, 3 August 2009.

[ii]Derwent May, “Feather Report: Trapped by Nature’s Fickle Hand,” The Times(London)

Section 4:1 (p.52).

[iii]Michele Hanson, “What the saviour of London’s pigeons taught me about the problem with plastic,” The Guardian 5 Feb 2018 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/what-saviour-london-pigeons-taught-me-about-problem-with-plastic). Please note that although this article is extolling the dangers of plastic, cotton thread is actually as much of a threat to the welfare of pigeons as nylon thread.

[iv]“Naomi Lewis,” The Telegraph, 3 August 2009.

Editor’s addition

Patience, 6/20/10

Destringers Faye, Liese, Gary & Mary

Destringing is on the spot rescue

So much relief when the string is gone

September 11, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on How to Catch a Pigeon (or Dove) in Need of Rescue

How to Catch a Pigeon (or Dove) in Need of Rescue

Guest Post by Cynthia Bardouka-Large

Audrey Kane rescued these lost DIY “dove release” survivors

These young King pigeons, rescued by Audrey, were living on borrowed time (domestic with no survival skills, easy prey for every predator).

The people who contact Palomacy often have no previous experience with pigeons or bird rescue. They did not wake up in the morning expecting to cross paths with a pigeon, but then an unexpected guest lands in their backyard, or on their roof, and it seems like something other than a random city pigeon. Perhaps it has an unusual appearance, or bands on its legs, perhaps it is alone with no flock, perhaps it seems weak or unable to fly. There’s no doubt that this is a pigeon in need of help, either because it is ill, starving, or a domestic breed lacking in survival skills. Pigeons and doves are preyed upon by hawks, ravens, gulls, cats, raccoons, rats, and more and, if you can catch the bird, she needs to be caught.

King pigeon Pearl asking for help. (We call this self-rescue.)

Domestic Roller pigeon Francesco self-rescued (http://www.pigeonrescue.org/2017/08/29/what-kind-of-bird-is-this/)

The “sport” of pigeon racing creates lots of lost, starved and/or injured domestic pigeons who need help

But how to catch?

First, rest assured that catching a pigeon is indeed possible, and safe- for both the bird and for you. Your catching the bird will be a lot safer for her than if a predator catches her. You will not scare a pigeon to death or give her a heart attack. And pigeons are harmless to us. They can’t really bite (no teeth and their beak is soft and weak) and, contrary to popular belief, you are highly unlikely to ever be made sick by a pigeon. There are very few diseases that you can catch from them and you are far, far more likely to get sick from a dog or cat (or be struck by lightning, actually). Simple soap-and-water hand washing after handling any animal can reduce the chances of illness to near zero.

So, let’s catch the pigeon!

There are a few different methods that have a good success rate. Much will depend on what you are most comfortable with and what kind of shape the pigeon is in.

The first and easiest method is simply to scoop the pigeon up in your hands. People often tell us that they have found a pigeon that seems exceptionally tame and friendly and allowed itself to be picked up. If you can just pick it up, though, there’s a good chance that the pigeon is in real trouble. It may be starving, dehydrated, and/or injured. The Palomacy network (join here) can help you find a pigeon-friendly rescue or avian vet, and will advise you on getting the bird emergency and supportive care.

How to hold a pigeon

How to hold a (big!) pigeon

A bird that tries to get away from you, but is weak or unable to fly, can often be walk-herded into a corner or inside through an open door and then caught (by hand or with a blanket, towel, or sweater). Drop the cloth over the bird and gently pick it up inside the cloth. Make sure the bird’s wings are folded against its sides, and hold it so that your hands encircle the wings and body, to prevent panicked flapping. A bird in this condition will likely need to be assessed by an expert.

Is your visitor lively? Flies away when you get too close? It’s good to see a strong and healthy pigeon, but this will present a challenge in actually getting your hands on the bird. The method that most often succeeds in catching a bird that is unwilling to be caught, is the crate-and-string method. You’ll need a cage or crate of some kind — a black wire dog crate works well. Put seeds and water deep in the center of the cage (beyond the reach of a clever bird who pokes her head in from the sides or back), and a thin trail of seeds leading up to the cage door (not too much, the bird needs to be hungry to risk entering what they know is a trap). Pigeons are especially fond of chopped peanuts and safflower seeds, but an ordinary bird seed mix for either pet or wild birds will work. Even rice -cooked or raw- can work in a pinch (there is a persistent myth that rice is harmful for birds, but it’s actually fine to use) or dry lentils, quinoa, crushed cereal, etc. will work for a hungry bird.

This is pigeon feed & any similar bird or people food works for a hungry pigeon

You’ll want to tie a long piece of string to the cage door in such a way as, when you pull it, the door pulls closed, and then sit at some distance, with the string in your hand. You might need to be out of the bird’s line of vision if it is particularly skittish. Eventually the bird should enter the cage to get the food, at which point you will pull on the string to close the door. Be patient. This can take some time (days even, just leave the door open when you’re not around & only put food inside so they have to go in) but is a very reliable and bird-friendly method. If the pigeon panics after the door is closed and starts thrashing around, cover the crate with a blanket to help calm her and bring the crate and bird indoors to safety. (You can’t leave her outside as predators can do terrible damage to an unsafely confined bird.) And don’t feel badly about having caught her. You most likely just saved her life and she’ll calm down.

A crate with a string-rigged door saved these pigeons. Click image for short video.

Crate rigged to catch a domestic but shy pigeon

Another method for catching a healthy unwilling pigeon is what we call the Wile E. Coyote box trap (see a video here). Take a medium size box or laundry basket, turn it upside down and prop up one end with a stick. Place food and water underneath the box, with a trail leading up to it. Tie a string to the bottom part of the stick, and sit at a distance away with the other end of the string in your hand. When the pigeon ventures under the box to get the food, pull the string to remove the stick, and the box will fall, trapping the pigeon underneath.

DIY stick & box type trap

You will at this point need to carefully reach underneath the box to get the pigeon. You won’t be able to see what you’re doing, because if you lift the box too high the pigeon will escape. You might try putting a big blanket over the box and yourself, while you try to catch the pigeon. Your neighbors will wonder about you. But it can work.

You can also buy or create a humane trap with a one-way door so that once they’ve gone in, they can’t get back out. (Monitor the trap closely though and do not leave out unsupervised or overnight. Once trapped, the bird will attract and be terribly vulnerable to predators including rats, cats, hawks, raccoons, ravens, gulls, dogs, etc.)

Humane trap (one-way door) baited with bird seed

If you catch extra pigeons, you let them go once you’ve secured the one who needed rescuing

A third method for catching a pigeon is to find where it is roosting at night. Pigeons have very poor night vision, and tend to hold still in the dark if they sense danger approaching, hoping that it passes them by. You may be able to climb a ladder and grab the pigeon with your hands. This works best if done in the dark so turn lights off and let your eyes adjust (yours will, the pigeon’s won’t). Then very quietly and without hesitation, grab the bird with both hands around the body. Be prepared for her to startle and try to get away. Don’t let go and make that first grab count because if she gets away, she’ll risk flying off even in the dark.

The final method is one that takes a bit of practice, plus good reflexes and careful timing. It is best used on a pigeon that is hanging out with a wild flock, and it’s the method that we use for “destringing” work, when we are trying to catch wild pigeons who are suffering from injuries to their feet caused by string and debris wrapped around their toes (ever wondered why city pigeons often have missing toes or deformed feet? Now you know!) With this method, you’ll spread a generous amount of food on the ground, in a line that measures three or four inches wide and about a foot and a half long. Stand fairly close to the food with your feet spread a distance apart. The pigeons should approach and cluster around, trying to eat as much as possible and certainly more than the pigeons on either side of them. They will be eyeing the food and each other, while you stand nearby, periodically sprinkling more food. Keep your eye on the pigeon you want to catch. Slowly advance until your open hand is hovering, palm down, immediately above the pigeon, then, in one swift motion, drop your hand down, pinning the bird to the ground. It really helps to practice this multiple times, using a shoe or a loaf of bread in place of the pigeon. You’re going to be going very quickly from a standing to a crouching or lunging position, and you don’t want to topple over, so practice the motion until you feel confident.

It may look like the pigeon is being crushed in the videos but we promise you- she’s not. The catcher’s open fingers hit the ground making a basket of sorts around the bird so she’s pinned but not harmed so that they can then remove the painful, crippling entangled string from her feet (see more here).

If you try and miss, the pigeons may scatter and be skittish for a time, but overcoming their caution is sometimes just a matter of moving the food to a slightly different location. You usually get multiple chances. This is not because pigeons are stupid (they are not), but because pigeons are more trusting than most birds (and very hungry). Despite a long history of mistreatment at the hands of human beings, their species, in general, has a benevolent view of ours. It’s just one reason we do the work we do at Palomacy.

Once caught, you must bring the bird indoors to safety. The vast majority of cages are made only to confine a bird indoors and are not at all safe outside. Leaving a bird outdoors in an indoor cage is basically creating a foraging toy for predators. Hawks, raccoons, cats, rats can all do terrible damage to an unsafely caged bird, right through the bars. (Learn about cage safety here.) Once safely indoors, you need to find a pigeon-friendly expert to help you assess the bird. Many are in critical condition by the time they are caught but recognizing that and supporting them through it takes knowledge and experience. The fastest way to get guidance and referrals is by joining our Palomacy Help Group and posting the situation, your location and photos of the bird. You can also learn some basics here: How to Care for a Rescued Pigeon.

Cynthia Bardouka-Large is a Sacramento based artist. She loves all animals, especially cats, birds, spiders and insects. She and her daughter rescue “stringfoot” pigeons as a hobby, and a year ago they were chosen by a self-rescuing young King pigeon. The whole family has since gone down the rabbit hole of learning about, and advocating for, pigeons as companion animals.

August 29, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on “Puppy Training” Pigeons Rescued

“Puppy Training” Pigeons Rescued

Warning: This post is about cruelty and while no graphic images are included, it may be upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.

“Dog Training Birds”

Cooper & Wicket are "dog birds" rescued by Palomacy in 2017. Note the chopped off wing & tail feathers. (Their feathers have long since regrown.)

Cooper & Wicket were “dog birds” rescued by Palomacy in 2017. Note the chopped off wing & tail feathers. (Their feathers have since regrown.)

Heartbreakingly, pigeons are used to train hunting dogs. Sometimes they are “planted” out in fields (with severely clipped feathers or tied and staked by a leg or “dizzied” to keep them in place) for the dogs to find, or they are “released” with a remote control device called a “launcher” from which, in theory, they fly back to the hunter’s coop to be reused for another training session. Ultimately though, the “dog birds” are killed. How-to articles describe ways to trap feral pigeons to use or where you can buy pigeons bred for this purpose as well as “surplus” racers and show birds sold cheap for this market. Pigeons are sold through hunters’ forums, used by dog training companies, recommended by the AKC, and though selling animals is against the terms of service on craigslist, many “dog training” pigeons are sold there too… we flag these ads (among others) as prohibited and though they are taken down, they quickly reappear.

The Video

While this use of pigeons is commonplace, it is not something those outside of the hunting dog world usually see but on Friday, August 17th, a puppy trainer’s video that she had posted to Facebook and which had been widely shared (especially by a group called Shame Fame) reached our Palomacy group. The video, seen now over 12,000 times on Facebook alone, showed the trainer laughingly using a live pigeon as a lure and toy to engage a puppy in “get the bird”. The trainer and puppy are having great fun and the poor pigeon, eerily composed and compliant (probably both shut down in learned helplessness as well as in a de-escalating survival strategy), endures the grabbing and dragging by both human and dog with gut-wrenching dignity. We later learned that the pigeon survives and was returned to a large pen with the other birds kept for this terrifying and painful purpose. (Click this link if you want to see the video.)

Screenshot of trainer using a live pigeon (held by his wings) for the puppy to "get the bird"

Screenshot from the video showing a trainer using a live pigeon (held by his wings) for the puppy to “get the bird”

The puppy playing with the live pigeon while trainer praises

Over & over the trainer uses the live pigeon to engage the puppy

The puppy pounces on the pigeon gripped by the trainer

Many people, from all over the world, reacted with horror and anger and hurt to see this living being treated with such cruel disregard. Along with the understandably negative comments, there was a lot of ugliness including threats made against the trainer and kennel, negative reviews that tanked their business’ customer rating and so much angry attention that they pulled down their Facebook page. One person, pigeon lover and Palomacy Group member David Schaeffer of the Netherlands, made it his mission to save this pigeon and he succeeded! And four others too. Thanks to David’s successful negotiation with the kennel owner, Palomacy volunteer and Texas bird rescuer Bailey Knight was allowed to pick up all five pigeons the Texas kennel had been using for dog training. The kennel owners, in the process of retiring and selling their business, were willing to surrender the pigeons in a bid to end the negative attention they were getting. The kennel owner said to me when we spoke about their surrender, I never imagined there was a group like this helping pigeons!

Bailey takes a selfie with one of the huge rescued pigeons

Bailey sent us a selfie with one of the huge rescued pigeons as soon as she got home

Bailey writes, “It was only about an hour’s drive from my home, so I was more than happy to help get these pigeons to safety. I was lucky that the kennel owners had caught all of the pigeons the morning of pickup; when I arrived the 5 lucky survivor pigeons were in a blue “bird crate” and the kennel owner was outside waiting for me.

She greeted me warmly and we shook hands. She was very kind and grabbed one of my pet carriers from my car, and then we made our way over to the crate.

I had brought a dark sheet along and I put this over the crate to calm the birds, and to do my best to prevent them from flying away while we transferred them from the crate and into my two carriers. The kennel owner helped me by sliding the crate door open each time I had secured another bird with my hands, so the process was fairly straightforward and easy, which meant less stress for both us and the birds.

I admit that when we heard the pigeons were being kept in an 100’x 80’ pen, I imagined I’d be chasing these poor birds around with a net during the hottest part of the day…that’s at least 100° in Texas this time of year! I was grateful that they were contained and that we were able to finally have them safe.

We both carried the pigeons back to my car and loaded them into the back seat (and then I secured the carriers for everyone’s safety on their freedom ride out of there!).

The kennel owner and I talked for probably about 20-30 minutes, baking in the sun, and our conversation ended with a hug! We were both very open and honest with each other about how we each felt about pigeons, we talked about how they got their pigeons, and about pigeon racing. I was surprised to hear that some racers refused to sell her any birds when she told them what they’d be used for. We talked about dogs, her rescue horses, and retirement…lots of things!

She even told me that if we wanted to make a difference for these pigeons that are used for dog training, we’d have to start with the American Kennel Club. From what I understood, it is standard practice for the AKC to use pigeons for their field trials and they purchase 2.5 pigeons for each dog entered. I admit I have not researched or confirmed this.

My point is, at the end of our conversation, she seemed willing to help in our battle against pigeon exploitation; she offered advice in our favor. I wondered if we had made a new ally of pigeons that day.”

Success!

Once safely surrendered to Palomacy, the five pigeons, in surprisingly okay condition (though they are no doubt bruised and sore), were transferred to the wonderful care of Palomacy supporter and epic bird rescuer Friederike Pfeiffer (formerly of Sunnyvale, CA) and her bird sanctuary B2L House (now located in Texas). Though they might look like oversize ferals, they can never be released. These pigeons are actually a very large domestic breed called “Giant Runt”, bred for show and these sold off cheap for not meeting the standard. These five banded and NPA registered pigeons, who had to endure such cruelty and amazingly survived it, will never have another worry in the world. Now, they are safe and loved, with Friederike forever. She has named them Liberty, Justice, Peace, Victory and Freedom.

Friederike welcomes the rescued “puppy training” pigeons. I believe this is the bird shown in the video. She is now named Freedom.

Freedom on the perch, Liberty courts Peace who is eating. They’ll be moved into a new aviary soon.

Justice & Victory

Palomacy thanks David, Bailey, Friederike and all who helped to make this rescue possible. While we are a San Francisco Bay Area rescue, our busy Palomacy Group is actively helping birds all over the country and beyond and we are extremely proud to have played a part in getting these poor Texas pigeons rescued. While it makes a life and death difference for these individuals, it does nothing to stop this cruelty. We are all harmed by the indifference and lack of compassion that permits this and so many other torments to continue. Learn more about how to love animals and to stop their exploitation here. Donate in support of our work here. Thank you.

And, in his own words, here is David’s story about rescuing the “puppy training” pigeons.

How a Guy from Europe Helped Save Pigeons in Texas

Hello everyone,
I’ve been asked to write something for Palomacy about the pigeon rescue at a Texan kennel over Saturday through Wednesday. (From my perspective in Europe). Bear with me, I’d rather try and rehabilitate an aggressive pitbull than write a piece but here goes.

Where do I even begin? I don’t feel I did that much? I will just tell the story from my perspective. The video showing pigeons being used for gun dog training came to my attention when it was shared on Palomacy’s Facebook group and like “all” of us it got me angry and upset.

My feelings were the same as everyone else’s, something along the lines of “I’d like to do the same thing to the abuser” but I also don’t believe in abuse, period, none of it. At this point I was still mostly commenting out of emotion trying to keep it in jest but decided I was going to gather any evidence I could find and corroborate. Eventually I decided to send a message with links about pigeons’ level of self awareness and intelligence to the kennel. Trying hard to quell my emotions and follow hanlon’s razor. “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity (or ignorance), but don’t rule out malice” to keep myself and my language use in check. I promptly got blocked and the Facebook page went private not much later. I lost it again, “they must not care then” I concluded, a logical fallacy I normally pride myself on trying to avoid. I proceeded to spread the video to another group asking people to join and help us do something about this. I’ve said some things I regret in hindsight. I needed sleep it was around 5 am here.

The following day I, of course, got immediately sucked back into it when I checked my Facebook. I didn’t really make a conscious decision, I just ended up doing what I considered was important legwork. I started posting comments advocating awareness is the key thing to promote, continued storing verifiable evidence. I also received evidence of people uttering threats of violence and committing verbal abuse against individuals at the kennel. I started advocating abuse doesn’t solve abuse, it’s a logical paradox. Committing abuse also completely undermines any validity an anti-abuse movement of any kind has. Just, food for thought perhaps.

But I digress, I also started looking into legal avenues and was in touch with SPCA Texas but not much came of that. Not much surprise there since I later verified the practice wasn’t breaking any local laws. There is much work to do still. So that’s that I thought, not illegal, can’t agree with some of the things thrown the kennel’s way. Nothing more I can do that doesn’t conflict with my morals but then a message popped up. It was the owner of the kennel! Breathe, in out, remember Hanlon’s razor, be objective, calm, factual and prepared to hear the owner out as we expect them to. “While I’m in the group you speak of, I don’t follow the herd as it were. I make my own decisions. I’m not actively out to hurt your business, I want practices like these to stop that is all.” I received a completely reasonable response, correcting a mistake in the original message and a token of appreciation that I was not one spreading the name of the individual in the footage.

In the resulting conversation, I did not hide my opinions or how I felt, I just expressed my opinion matter of factly and instead of expressing my emotions, I simply stated what my feelings were, simply stating outright that I disagree with the practice and won’t apologize for that opinion but that I also do not condone (and I sincerely don’t) some of the things that were thrown their way. I just listened to her perspective on events for a large part, offering comments here and there. I told her a few things about pigeons, just a starter, we agreed to meet again online the next day and I would tell her all about pigeons and have scientific sources to substantiate my claims.

I spent a lot of time after our conversation doing “damage control”, trying to get people to stop activities against the kennel and once more expressing my opinion on using abuse to fight abuse. Not much else I could do but hope some people will listen as much as they listened when I was promoting action. Tried to reach out to other groups I heard had the video, informing them there is a dialogue with the owner with varying degrees of success. It is extremely important a dialogue is established and is kept going in my opinion. It’s like a war- you can’t do diplomacy with the guns still firing. Can’t converse with all that racket! It was getting morning again. Need some sleep.

Most of the following day I spent collecting scientific sources, evidence either way, everything I could possibly need for the second online meeting with the owner. The second meeting took a completely unexpected turn. Again the owner opened with some additional information and then telling me in light of all this information it’s been decided to stop using the pigeons, and asking if it was okay to release them.

Honestly, it took me quite a while to respond, I was staring at my screen blinking, I don’t know how long exactly. Here I was, with a pile of proverbial ammunition to make my case about pigeons. If I had known, I could have caught up on some more hours of sleep deprivation!!!

I asked her to not release the pigeons, that I would like them to be checked over and evaluated by a rescue for what would be best for each pigeon, a home or a feral life. Provided I could arrange it all the way from here. She agreed. Despite having come to an agreement immediately, the owner still listened to me babble on about pigeons. Even showed her pidges in diapers! While we were talking about, pigeons and several other subjects I reached out to Elizabeth of Palomacy and a few others to get something sorted as fast as we could muster. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”.
A few phone-calls between Elizabeth and the owner, some time and a volunteer who drove 60 miles to handle physical pick-up, (thank you Bailey!) and then pigeons were retrieved and brought into care with Palomacy.

Last I heard the owner was giving some useful information for the fight against abuse like this. I am elated, exhausted, made friends, enemies but mostly mentally exhausted, very, very exhausted. This has been a victory I suppose but also a cautionary tale. One can only unleash a mob, there’s no controlling it. Many things have happened that I think are morally indefensible no matter the cause and I’d like to apologize for what my part played in causing some people to threaten with violence, death and slinging verbal abuse at individuals who work at the kennel. I did not want that. It’s a slippery slope and an easy trap to fall into for anyone. Before one knows it, one has become what one was trying to fight.

I hope I haven’t bored you all to tears and I hope these events in some way help in the future. Maybe it can be used to create real change. There is only so much I can do beyond my own country.

Sincerely
David Schaeffer

Please keep in mind many people were involved in this entire thing, many boards. I can’t possibly take so much credit for this. I just want to tackle any abuse when I can and help animals. I’m available should anyone want to enquire about something. d.schaeffer.enquiries@gmail.com

David & his rescued pigeon Quasi

August 22, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Book Launch: Woot!

Book Launch: Woot!

Guest Post by Janice Lipsky

I am very pleased to announce the launch of my pet project. It’s been many years in the making, inspired by my muse: a racing pigeon named “Woot.” I was also inspired by our Palomacy community, the like-minded, compassionate people who are true pigeon aficionados. So many of you have helped the birds, either through your individual rescue and adoption efforts, or on a broader scale, cleaning and building aviaries, and doing outreach. Some of you are visual artists and writers, using your talents to bring awareness to the plight of pigeons. In the late summer of 2014, we rescued a lost racing pigeon and built an aviary that would come to house three additional birds. You can read my actual story, Woot! There He Is! to see how it all began.

But now, about the book…

I think we all can agree that within animal rescue as a whole, there is a low awareness of the “sport” of pigeon racing. Palomacy has done so much to raise awareness and increase rescue efforts. My way of contributing was to use fiction to build awareness and compassion toward racing pigeons. I was struck by the dichotomy between some breeders (perhaps not all), who perceive the birds as objects to be used for personal gain versus the rescue community who identifies the birds as individuals.“Woot!” the book is a middle grade novel but will be enjoyed by adults as well, and can be read to younger children. The story centers around twelve- year old Daniel Wilson, who shares an unusual hobby with his father, Jed. They breed and race homing pigeons. But father and son don’t see eye to eye on the purpose of the birds. Jed views the birds as competitors – he needs to win his bet on which bird will come in first in every race. But Daniel has a special gift. He understands the birds and comes to discover he can even talk to them! In fact, his star racing pigeon – Woot – becomes his secret best friend. As Daniel and Jed prepare Woot for the Southwest Regional Pigeon Race, everything is on the line. Will Woot win and prove to be the champion Daniel knows he is? Or will he lose the race and be cast off, like so many other pigeons who don’t become racing stars? The stakes are high for both boy and bird as this desert adventure unfolds. The book includes nine beautiful illustrations from New Mexico artist, Carrie A. Schultz.

While Woot the racing pigeon is the star of the story, he encounters feral street pigeons in downtown Phoenix, king pigeons at an outdoor market, wedding release pigeons, and “fancy” breeds valued for their looks or skills. In other words, something for all of us Palomacy pigeon-lovers! Here is a link to purchase the book and in support of the birds, I will donate half of my proceeds to Palomacy over the next three months.

If you like the book, it would be awesome if you could write a favorable review or provide a rating to help spread the word. Who knows? Maybe the story could become an animated film some day and help further the rightful grand image of our favorite bird.

Janice Lipsky is a marketer and writer living in Scottsdale, Arizona. Originally from New York, she moved to a desert environment in part to be closer to nature. She has a PhD in social psychology and draws on her background to inform her creative writing. She enjoys hiking, tennis, and taekwondo. She lives with four pigeons, three cats and her husband. To read about Woot’s self-rescue and her inaugural story of passion for pigeons and involvement with Palomacy, click here.

Palomacy Founder Elizabeth Young’s review

August 22, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Worth Every Penny (and Freddie Too!!)

Worth Every Penny (and Freddie Too!!)

Guest Post by Emma Thomson

It all started when I decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator. I had parked in my apartment complex’s underground parking garage and was walking up the stairs to my place. On the way up the stairs I was shocked to find a little white bird. I stood looking at him, expecting him to fly away. This bird was not afraid of me and wouldn’t run away. This was contradictory to every single bird I have met in my life.

Domestic pigeon standing on stairs, asking for help

Paul looking very out of place

At this point, I realized something was suspicious. I went into my apartment and grabbed a towel. I scooped the little guy up in the towel (which was surprisingly easy) and brought him back inside. Now what?? I put the little guy in a cardboard box and he just sat there. After about 30 minutes of frantic googling and naming him Paul, I decided to take him to the San Jose Animal Care Center.

At the shelter, the intake staff told me that this was definitely a domesticated pigeon. I dropped him off for observation for the night, with the plan to return to the animal shelter the next morning to adopt him. At this point, I was very attached to Paul and spent the entire night googling how to take care of pigeons. This was how I first came across the incredible Palomacy website.

The next day when I arrived at the shelter I was unfortunately told that Paul had not survived the night. This was heart breaking, and shocking since Paul did not seem to exhibit any symptoms of distress. Later research revealed that often times pigeons can hide their symptoms, and his calmness and docile nature were actually weakness-induced lethargy (common in the starved and often injured domestic pigeons people find). I was sad, but took solace in the fact that Paul had spent his last night with a heating pad in a safe environment at the shelter.

At this point though, I knew that I wanted to rescue a pigeon or two. I had already discovered the Palomacy website through my research, and knew that there were dozens of birds looking for a home. I emailed Elizabeth back and forth and arranged to volunteer at the next Palomacy outreach event. Elizabeth had already identified a couple of pairs of pigeons that would work well with my environment, and we had coordinated for her to bring a few of them to the event for an introduction. Before the event, I read through their bios on the Palomacy website and fell in love with Penny and Freddie. Penny was a beautiful 12 year old female pigeon that was rescued from a psych lab. Freddie was a female feral that was found in a box in SF and missing an eye and most of her toes. Despite all odds, these two had bonded with each other and were happily married.

At the outreach event, I knew I had to adopt them as soon as I saw them.

Two rescued pigeons in a tabletop carrier at an outreach event

Penny and Freddie at their last ever outreach event as adoptable pigeons!

After spending the day at the outreach event talking with Elizabeth and the other incredible Palomacy volunteers, I felt well equipped to adopt a pigeon. They taught me how to hold a pigeon, put on their pants, and answered any question I could think of. I bonded with Penny and Freddie and promised I would see them again soon. I then spent the next week assembling their cage, getting all the supplies I needed, and texting Elizabeth last minute questions. Once this was all done, we arranged for her to drop them off at my house; I couldn’t be more excited!

On adoption day Elizabeth again walked me through everything and we made sure Penny and Freddie were settled. Freddie immediately took to the pigeon pants and walked around on the carpet for a very long time. She wasn’t spooked at all, and seemed very at ease. She immediately acted like she owned the place! Penny, who is more used to people, was also very calm. She chose a nice spot on top of her cage and observed her new surroundings.

Freddie enjoying the carpet under her feeties

Penny’s smiling

Penny and Freddie’s first night home!

Since then, Freddie and Penny have become a much-welcome part of my daily life. They spend evenings outside of their cage, exploring my apartment with their pants on. Freddie is doing great for a pigeon who was once feral; she lets me put her pants on without any trouble and has recently started eating out of my hand! She still growls at you when you try and grab her from her cage but she’s capable of being held and petted. Right now she can handle about ten minutes of petting and neck scratches before she flies away to a high perch somewhere in the room. Letting Freddie open up and express her personality has become a “project” of mine, so it’s great to see her improvement in just a few weeks. I’m confident that with time she’ll become the ultimate lap pigeon. Penny is also doing extremely well and is completely at ease; she’ll sit with you for as long as you want, and also go off on “walks” around the apartment. Her personality is calm and docile and incredibly well-natured. At night she gets a bit more active and will coo at herself in the mirror or ring some of the bells in her cage.

I honestly couldn’t be happier with Penny and Freddie and my experience with the Palomacy community. It’s unfortunate that Paul passed away, but he opened up my eyes to a whole new type of pet and helped facilitate the rescue of two more beautiful, in-need pigeons.

One of Penny’s hangouts

Penny posing

Penny & Freddie’s nest

Penny’s a bird watcher

Freddie on a walkabout

Snuggling with the formerly oh so spooky Freddie

Emma grew up on the east coast, and is now a mechanical engineer living in the Bay Area. In her free time she enjoys ceramics, squeezing Penny and Freddie, and volunteering at the awesome Palomacy events!

Rescued pigeon examining the computer display

Rescued pigeon Glory helping with this story

Editor’s Note: Emma’s quick journey from knowing nothing about pigeons to finding one in trouble and becoming a devoted adopter and volunteer is a testament to how incredible pigeons are and how wonderful helping them can be. One doesn’t need prior bird experience or a big aviary, just the willingness to learn (from the pigeons mostly) and the desire to help. Freddie, a rescued but unsocialized feral pigeon has quickly gone from aloof to loving with Emma. I know very well how adaptative pigeons are and still I was amazed when I saw “wild coyote” Freddie walk around Emma’s apartment (wearing pigeon pants!) that first night. She was immediately happy! Thank you, Emma, for helping Paul and for honoring him through supporting Palomacy. Thank you for opening your heart and home to Penny and Freddie!

August 15, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on My Hero Jingle

My Hero Jingle

Guest Post by Jill McMurchy

Jill & Jingle

I care for a sweet disabled dove named Jingle. He’s not the first disabled bird I’ve cared for. I’ve had the privilege of caring for a few birds that people who don’t know these birds have dismissed as only suffering and should be “put to sleep”. They say “if they can’t fly, they aren’t birds”, or “if they can’t eat on their own, why keep them alive?” I’d like to address those questions and comments now.

We, at Palomacy, don’t start with euthanasia. We give the birds a fighting chance. Sometimes that takes a long time and a lot of effort. We let them guide us in their progress or, in some cases, they tell us when they are tired and don’t want to try any longer. We have a wonderful and supportive veterinary team at Medical Center For Birds who helps us along the way.

Photo by Liese Hunter

Jingle is a little white dove man who was saved from a street in San Jose (likely a survivor of a “dove release“). He came to Palomacy by way of a good Samaritan who brought him to Andy’s Pet Shop in San Jose in October 2017. At the time he came to us, he was seemingly healthy but beat up and skinny. As with most of our rescues, we don’t know anything of their past. We accept them into our care doing our best for them. Jingle seemed fine for a few months in the aviary at Andy’s and even found a mate, Mystic, for a brief time. One day he was found on the floor of the aviary with his head twisted upside down. He had torticollis, which can be a result of several factors – Paramyxovirus or a brain injury or salmonella. In all cases, the bird needs supportive care until they either recover or they tell us they just don’t want to continue.

Jingle has been with me for a few months and is holding steady. He is housed in a carrier with a big soft fleece blanket that is shaped into a kind of cave. It supports his body and upside down head position. I spend time snuggling him as much as I can. Luckily, he’s quite amenable to being held and loves people. He eats twice a day (or more if I can fit it in). I don’t keep hard objects in his carrier as he can sometimes flip around in a somersaulting way until he steadies himself.

We have a routine. Jingle and I snuggle/eat/drink in the morning for about an hour. He sits on my chest while I steady his restless body. He tends to pull/lean to the right and back up involuntarily. I help him stay still while he eats and drinks. I know when he’s done and then we snuggle. He loves cheek/ear scritches and often falls asleep on me. It’s times like this his body quiets and he seems like a healthy dove.

Jill helping steady Jingle while he eats

Nom nom

Jingle is always happy. He coos (and sings along to music), he preens and he preens some more. He eats well and as a matter of fact is kind of chubby. He hates vegetables (throws them at me in disgust every time I try to entice him). He loves playing with water (although he can’t bathe himself as he’s at risk for drowning). He calls to me when he sees me enter the room, looking at me from his upside down head position with those beautiful dark eyes. And he does the funniest thing- he always announces when he’s going to poop with a special little squeaky coo! Jingle came to me as a special needs foster but I have adopted him, partly because he is so labor intensive, I don’t think he’s a good candidate for adoption and partly (mostly) because I fell in love with him. He’s brave, inspiring and his life is important to him. He has a big life, it’s just not how most people think a ‘normal’ bird life is.

Happy Jingle in love

Torticollis, neck twisting, is a neurological disorder

Looking at pictures together

Napping

Loving the scritches

After-bath snuggles

I don’t know what the future holds for Jingle. I don’t know what the future holds for me (none of us do) but he has a place with me for as long as he says he wants to be here. I’ll support him to the best of my ability. I hold out hope he’ll recover and be able to join other birds, fly and marry a lucky little hen. If he never does recover and his ‘normal’ is his current twisty-self, he is safe and loved until he tells me he isn’t happy. He’s the boss.

October 12, 2018 Post Script by Editor Elizabeth Young

Jingle’s torticollis and twistyness began to worsen and, when he could no longer be kept comfortable, he was gently euthanized in the loving hands of his Jill. He is forever loved and will not be forgotten. We are profoundly grateful to Jill for all the love and happiness she gave to this special little bird and for sharing him with us. He inspires us still.

July 9, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Glorious Glory

Glorious Glory

This little pigeon child needed help

Where do they all come from?

People are always suprised to learn how many birds Palomacy cares for and we are frequently asked, Where do they all come from? Little Glory is a juvenile feral pigeon who was found June 4th on a busy city sidewalk by kind passerby Jennie. Too young to be out of the nest and unable to even stand up let alone walk due to a splayed leg and a curled foot, Glory was extremely lucky Jennie rescued her. But where would she go?

Jennie posted to our Palomacy Group on Facebook for help

Glory wouldn’t be releasable so going to wildlife rescue would mean euthanasia. Jennie wasn’t in a position to keep her and animal shelters euthanize rather than treat disabled pigeons. Which, in some ways, all makes sense. This little pigeon child was deformed and would be unable to survive in the wild. All roads seemed to lead her to death. Except that Palomacy didn’t say no. We said yes. She was bright-eyed, feisty and full of life. Jennie had rescued her and that gave her a rare opportunity. We know how to help birds like Glory. And so we are. It’s probably not the sensible choice. We are already beyond full with more than 150 birds in our foster care and struggling financially with our expenses exceeding our donations. And Glory’s condition required surgery that, even with an extremely generous rescue discount, is costly.

So why do it? Why say yes to saving a little pigeon child?

Jennie & Jesse brought the rescued pigeon child to my house

Pigeon Child

When Jennie and Jesse arrived with the little nestling they were calling Bird, she was defiant and wild. Usually baby pigeons are very trusting and quick to accept you as their strange new parent bird but not this one. She didn’t trust me one bit and saw no reason to tolerate my attention. She refused sips of water and was totally unimpressed by my hand feeding her. I on the other hand was impressed with her strength and courage.

Glory in the morning

The next day I took her to see Dr. Speer at Medical Center for Birds and he too was impressed with her toughness. She was wild and did not accept being handled the way so many pigeons do. He was also impressed with the 120 degree rotation of her leg that, even so, folded perfectly and was ideal for corrective surgery. Her derotational osteotomy would mean her leg would be surgically broken, rotated into the proper alignment and a stainless steel pin inserted into the bone shaft lengthwise to stabilize during recovery. And her newly arranged feet would be taped to a snowboard style fixator to position both legs correctly. It’s not an easy recovery and we needed little Glory’s trust and cooperation to make it work. So I took her back home with me for a week to try and win her over. Cue awkward, happy making friends montage.

Treatment

It worked. After a week of hanging out together, with lots of snuggles and reassurance, Glory was comfortable with people and ready. She was hospitalized and Dr. Speer did her surgery on June 12. She woke up tall! Standing up off her tummy and on her feet for the first time.

Post-op Glory

Dr. Speer & Glory

Pigeons are incredibly tolerant and resilient. Despite the pain of a broken, stretched and pinned leg and the confusing awkwardness of having both feet taped to a tongue depressor, Glory wrangled her new stance with enviable grace. She learned that she could now not only sit but also stand and within a couple of days, she was mobile- able to hop and then, on June 25th, fly! It was thrilling to see her standing up to eat let alone hop around to explore and show off those big albatross wings and fly! Pigeons can, with the right care and support, live happy lives without being able to use their legs (see Violet’s story & River’s story for a couple of examples), but it is very moving to see someone become more fully themselves, given the chance.

If I fits, I sits

Tall Glory

Glory has legs!

Glory’s recovery has gone well, no complications. She was promoted from snowboard fixator to a hobble on June 21 and the stainless steel pin was removed on June 25. Now that she is doing so well in just a minimal hobble, able to walk, stand on one foot, scratch, etc. we’re looking at the curled foot on her “good leg” to see if a soft tape ‘shoe’ might help to stretch and improve the positioning of those toes.

Glory shows off while Dr. Speer makes her hobble

Oh no! What’s he going to do to me now?!

Volunteer Krista helping with a hobble change 6/28

Krista helping Glory have a soak

Krista & Glory showing off the new hobble

Glory hanging out in the Specials’ avairy 6/30

Glory today 7/9/18

The Life Ahead

Glory will never be releasable. She’s too tame and she needs to continue wearing a hobble for quite awhile yet- to further strengthen her underdeveloped muscles. She may even need to be rehobbled periodically throughout her life if her leg bows out as sometimes happens with splay-survivors. So what’s the point? This young pigeon, misformed and unable to survive naturally, could have been left on that sidewalk for “nature to take its course”. She would likely have been a good meal for a hawk or raven and their own young. Many pigeon fledglings are. Or she could have been spared the violence and suffering of that and been humanely killed at a pigeon-friendly wildlife rescue. Instead, she’ll live. We, this community called Palomacy, have come together to help her. Does it matter? I would argue that it does. Glory’s life matters to her. It is the only thing in this whole world that she has. And she embodies it fully! Snuggling and exploring, making friends and evading bossy birds, napping in my hand, lounging in the sun, scattering seeds all over and still peeping with baby bird enthusiasm as she eats. Why help this little bird to live when there are so many ways to let her die? Why do YOU help Palomacy to do this special work? Perhaps through helping her, we are helping everyone. Perhaps we are placing our feet, one after the other, on the long road to peace. One tiny, tiny step on such an unimaginably long journey. What difference does helping Glory make? Perhaps the only reason we need to help someone is that we can.

July 6, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Are We Crazy?

Are We Crazy?

Palomacy was baby Glory’s only hope

In just the past month, we’ve taken in four pigeons requiring extensive avian veterinary care, expensive even after our generous rescue discounts. Are we crazy? It feels crazy when we don’t have the funds to say yes nor the option to say no.

Glory

On June 4th, a nice person, Jennie, found a tiny, big-eyed, splayed-leg & curled-foot feral nestling pigeon sitting stranded on a busy Oakland sidewalk. She couldn’t leave her there so brought her home and began searching for help. WildCare lovingly rehabs and releases hundreds of feral pigeons every year but, for her, unable to stand or walk, euthanasia would be the outcome more likely than release. And though she’d make a wonderful pet, Jennie couldn’t keep her. So, when she found her way to Palomacy, over full as we were, I knew that we were her only hope. Unlike most pigeon kids who are so disarmingly trusting, she was wild and suspicious of us. Defiant. I named her Glory. Her strong spirit has served her well. Dr. Speer was impressed with her tough attitude and with the full 120 degree rotation of her leg that, even so, folded with joints lined up perfectly, ideal for corrective surgery. The derotational osteotomy meant her leg would be surgically broken, rotated into proper alignment with a stainless steel pin inserted into the bone shaft lengthwise to provide stability while healing. Her newly arranged feet would be taped to a snowboard-style fixator to position both legs correctly. It’s not an easy recovery and we needed little Glory’s trust and cooperation to make it work. So I took her back home with me for a week to try and win her over. It worked! Her surgery and recovery have gone well. Her legs are still wonky but, with the help of a hobble, she can now stand, walk and fly. Glory is thriving, loving and happy with a bright future ahead of her. (See more Glory.)

Glory- unable to stand or walk due to splayed leg

Volunteer Krista & tall Glory, up on her feeties!

Doc

Doc is a very tough and lucky King pigeon. She survived the squab business and then endured the hardships of an inhumane release. On May 29th, emaciated with a broken wing, broken & crushed foot, a head wound, trichamoniasis, roundworms & chlamydia, she self-rescued by parking herself on the steps of the SF Police Department’s Department Operation Center (DOC). Her new friends, knowing she would be euthanized if taken to the shelter, reached out to Palomacy for help and, even though we’re already over capacity, I picked her up that same day. Because what else could we do? They named her Doc. Since then, she’s been hospitalized and discharged twice and is still on meds. The crushed foot cost her circulation and she’s losing three of the four toes on that foot but we’re hopeful she’ll have a good sturdy partial foot left with which to walk. She’s a beautiful, brave bird- alive and safe.

Doc & Dr. Speer of Medical Center for Birds

Winter

Beautiful Fantail-lite pigeon Winter was rescued from a creek (and beside an egret!) five years ago by hikers who saw his predicament. His new family loved him, built him a beautiful aviary and adopted a mate for him and another when he was widowed. Unfortunately, cicumstances conspired against him and, due to family and financial issues, he needed both a new home and extensive surgery to remove several bunches of tumors from all around his jaw, from above his eyes and from both wings. We didn’t have the funds to cover the costs but we also didn’t have any other options. Without Palomacy, he’d be euthanized and Winter is too full of joy, life and love. He is nowhere near ready to give up. So we can’t either. Our avian vets at Medical Center for Birds do everything they can to cut costs for us while still taking incredible care of our rescued birds. Since being surrendered to our care on June 11th, he’s had two surgeries. The first removed the large tumors clustered like grapes all around the underside of his face and beak. Removing those made him more comfortable while also giving us tissue for the lab tests. It came back as cancerous- sarcoma. He handled the surgery and recovery so well, is so full of hope and high spirits, that I said, Yes, to the second surgery* to remove the other tumors above his eyes and on his wings. (*It was too much to safely do all in one surgery.) Winter is doing great and flirting madly with his fellow bird room patient Doc. Seeing him strut and prance and coo and woo, it is only too clear that if saving his life is crazy, then we don’t want to be sane.

Winter’s tumors had to be removed

Winter is full of life, joy & love. He thanks you!

Marshamallow

On Friday June 29th, a kind family was trying to rescue a pair of abandoned cats when they happened on a helpless pigeon, a 4 month old pigeon racing survivor emaciated and helpless with a broken wing and a badly broken leg that may require surgery and pinning if it is to heal functionally. They took her to Lindsay Wildlife Rescue but since they don’t serve pigeons, they were referred to Palomacy. The family called and, since they couldn’t care for her and we didn’t have any alternatives to suggest, I said yes to helping her. They named her Marshmallow and transported her straight to the vets where she is currently hospitalized. Marshmallow is a sweet, gentle pigeon child who wants to live. Is that crazy?

Marshmallow has a chance now that he’s getting help

“Sanity is a madness put to good uses.” George Santayana

Adopt. Volunteer. Donate.

Thank you for helping us to save the lives of these incredible birds.

July 4, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on 4 Ways to Get Involved With Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

4 Ways to Get Involved With Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

Guest post by Cara Benson

Did you know that Palomacy has rescued over 800 pigeons and doves in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2007? Without the work of our organization, these birds would have been euthanized. Even in the animal-friendly San Francisco Bay Area, domestic pigeons that are sent to local shelters don’t get the care and service they need to be adopted.

Borealis & Cadence on their (fake) eggs

When Palomacy began to rescue and rehome pigeons and doves, we found it necessary to bridge the gap between domestic pigeons and rescue opportunities. We believe that everyone needs to be shown compassion– even pigeons and doves. We’re speaking up for these birds, encouraging compassion, and improving education on both their exploitation and rescue.

Palomacy is unable to reach its full potential without a lot of help from our supporters. Our network of volunteers is essential in saving the lives of pigeons and doves, and we are sustained by the incredible work they accomplish. Palomacy is growing in support and donations– but we need your help! Use the list below to find out how to get more involved in our organization, and save the lives of hundreds of pigeons and doves.

1. Volunteer: Our volunteer network is truly remarkable! Our community works together incredibly well to save the lives of domestic, unreleasable pigeons. Our volunteers respond to calls from shelters, vets, and others to provide care for ill or injured birds, provide long-term foster care, and help place them into qualified forever homes. Our foster volunteers are caring for over 150 birds at any given time! There are so many ways you can volunteer with Palomacy. We are always looking for help in outreach events, content/news/PR/social media work, humane education programs, aviary building, and any other ideas you can think of! Use your unique skills to benefit our cause. Sign up to become a volunteer with our Volunteer Application!

Volunteering is fun!

2. Attend an Event: Palomacy always has fun events on the horizon! We attend numerous outreach events to encourage adoption and to spread awareness of our organization. From Bay Area Adoptathons to Street Fairs, we encourage you to stop by and say hello! We’re especially excited for our Coo-Chella event, which will be this September! We’ll be celebrating eleven years of unique, culture-changing, life-saving pigeon and dove rescue! Stay tuned for more details, but be sure to check out the event.

3. Donate: We can’t express enough how meaningful each of our donations are! No matter the amount, every contribution is equally as valuable in making a difference. We encourage you to become a monthly donor: it’s safe, convenient, and the most effective way to help Palomacy help birds. We’ve challenged ourselves to inspire 100 new donors to sign up— help us reach our goal!

Palomacy depends on your donations to rescue birds

4. Host Your Own Fundraiser: Interested in making a big impact for Palomacy? Create your own fundraising event! Think creatively and choose a theme that no one will want to miss out on! Fundraising events can range anywhere from trivia nights, silent discos, or even a golf tournament. With all the online event planning tools available these days, it’s easy to create an event, sell tickets, and share it with friends!

These pigeons and doves need our help! With Palomacy, you can make a life-saving, compassion-creating difference.

June 29, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Pigeon racing has a cruel, ugly side. Don’t allow it in Chicago

Pigeon racing has a cruel, ugly side. Don’t allow it in Chicago

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Pigeon racing has a cruel, ugly side. Don’t allow it in Chicago

About 100 pigeons were abandoned in a parking lot at the corner of Wilson and Ravenswood in November. | Photo courtesy of Katie-Anne O’Neil

“Pigeon racing” may conjure images of robust, healthy birds zipping across finish lines in quick succession. But what it really means is releasing strategically bred pigeons far, sometimes hundreds of miles from their homes, to see which one makes it back the fastest.

Many of them don’t make it back at all.

The news that three Northwest Side aldermen are trying to legalize pigeon racing as a sport is alarming to the bird enthusiast community and should be to the entire city.

Here’s what those aldermen may not know: Racing pigeons are domestically raised birds that don’t have the survival skills to make it in the wild. The pigeons we see on the street were raised by their parents to survive in an urban setting. But when humans selectively breed birds and feed them from hatching, they don’t develop the scrappy resourcefulness that wild pigeons have.

They don’t know how to find food or avoid predators, and they haven’t been produced by natural selection, but rather by selection by humans for certain qualities.

An investigation by PETA released in 2012 found that more than 60 percent of racing pigeons don’t make it back to their home lofts.

And the birds that don’t perform to the standard of their pigeon-racing owners are subject to abandonment and culling, the killing of weak or undesirable specimens in a group of animals.

The aldermen stipulate that standards will be enforced regarding the conditions in which the racing birds are kept, the containers that feed will be stored in and the registration of individual birds. But none of this regulation will protect the birds, at all, once the race begins. PETA lists common methods of culling as suffocation, drowning, decapitation, neck-breaking, and gassing. If pigeon racing is legalized in Chicago, will there be regulations in place for which manners of culling birds are considered humane?

And while the aldermen say that the ban will only be lifted for members of pigeon racing organizations in good standing, how beneficial is it to be in good standing with an organization wherein culling and abandonment are commonplace?

When I gave word to Annette Prince, the director of the bird rescue organization Chicago Bird Collision Monitors about the potential legalization, she said the organization responds to hundreds of calls every year for banded pigeons and doves that have been attacked by predators, injured, abandoned and starved.

Those birds need rescue and care. Homes and medical treatment need to be provided for endless numbers of rescued racing pigeons because, in most cases, owners do not want the lost birds back.

Pigeon racing, legal in many U.S. cities, is already affecting local bird rescue organizations even before the city considers legalizing it.

In November of 2017, as previously reported by the Sun-Times, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors rescued about 75 of more than 100 banded pigeons dumped in a parking lot in Ravenswood. The rest succumbed to predator attacks or were found frozen to death. Those that lived had to be treated for avian pox, likely a result of having been kept in poor conditions before they were dumped. It was a rescue effort that spanned more than a week and involved multiple wildlife rescue agencies and many volunteers who came out in the cold to catch the birds with boxes, with nets, and with our hands.

If the city legalizes pigeon racing, it will be this organization and other bird advocacy groups that will be called upon to capture, treat and place the birds after they’re found emaciated and bleeding — at the expense of the organizations. Their resources are already stretched thin. And the birds that are rescued will be the lucky ones — many more won’t have a chance.

Birds have an internal navigation system that’s still largely a mystery to us. Pigeons are intelligent birds that can recognize individual human faces. Domestically raised pigeons are affectionate companion animals and rewarding pets, not objects to be used for sport and then dumped like garbage.

Katie-Anne O’Neil, shown here with pigeon friend Jonah, is a bird rescue volunteer for Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. She lives in Chicago with her strictly-indoor kitties and some button quail. Everything she does for pigeons, she does for her beloved late ringneck dove, Ed the Bird.

VICTORY UPDATE:
From the Chicago Sun-Times, July 25

Pigeon racing revival plucked from Council agenda — after bird lovers squawk…

A controversial plan to sanction the sport of pigeon racing in Chicago may be grounded before it’s even cleared for take-off.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) said Monday he asked the City Council’s Finance Committee not to vote on the ordinance he introduced last month after he was bombarded with emails and Facebook messages by bird lovers.

You can help Katie & her fellow pigeon rescuers save lives in Chicago by donating in support of their GoFundMe for a rescue aviary here. (Not affiliated with Palomacy except in our shared commitment to saving the lives of pigeons.)

Guest Post by Suzy Cincone

Guest Post by Cynthia Bardouka-Large

Warning: This post is about cruelty and while no graphic images are included, it may be upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.

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The Video

How a Guy from Europe Helped Save Pigeons in Texas

Guest Post by Janice Lipsky

Guest Post by Emma Thomson

Guest Post by Jill McMurchy

Where do they all come from?

Pigeon Child

Treatment

The Life Ahead

Glory

Doc

Winter

“Sanity is a madness put to good uses.” George Santayana

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Thank you for helping us to save the lives of these incredible birds.

Pigeon racing has a cruel, ugly side. Don’t allow it in Chicago

VICTORY UPDATE: From the Chicago Sun-Times, July 25

VICTORY UPDATE: From the Chicago Sun-Times, July 25

You can help Katie & her fellow pigeon rescuers save lives in Chicago by donating in support of their GoFundMe for a rescue aviary here. (Not affiliated with Palomacy except in our shared commitment to saving the lives of pigeons.)

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VICTORY UPDATE:
From the Chicago Sun-Times, July 25

VICTORY UPDATE:
From the Chicago Sun-Times, July 25