RESCUE GROUP IS FOR THE BIRDS
San Jose Mercury NewsSan Jose Mercury News (CA)
January 24, 2009
RESCUE GROUP IS FOR THE BIRDS
Author: Linda Goldston
Mercury NewsEdition: Valley FinalSection: Home & GardenPage: 6E
Elizabeth Young had never heard of a king pigeon until she started volunteering at the San Francisco Animal Care & Control shelter last year.Then she quickly learned two things: "They're sweet, smart creatures" and a lot of other people don't know about them.That's why they are often euthanized at animal shelters.King pigeons, also called utility pigeons, are raised for squab meat, and if they're lucky enough to escape before the butcher or someone sets them free -- "a kindness they rarely survive" -- they aren't high on the animal rescue totem pole."All of the other animals -- dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, parakeets and parrots -- have rescue groups to help them when they're at risk of being put to sleep because they were hard to place or too numerous," Young says.
Now pigeons and doves have a rescue group, too, and Young is the head of it.Mickaboo Bird Rescue, a well-established group that I've written about before, has created a new division called MickaCoo, which aims to rescue and find homes for domestic pigeons and doves.And they could use a little help."Right now I know of more than 30 domestic pigeons, fostered at Bay Area shelters, that are in need of homes," Young says. "I am outreaching to Southern California, Nevada and even Georgia for homes for these at-risk birds."One of the rescued birds is Art, named King Arthur by a volunteer at the San Francisco Animal Care & Control shelter. She -- Young learned Art is a hen -- "was very skinny on arrival and may have been a pet that was set free as she's been very tame and friendly with me from the start."Young brought Art home to recover in her "kitchen counter pigeon hospital." The bird needed veterinary help, and Young saw it as good news and bad news: Art is much better, but his vet bill was $850.It's a daily struggle for people who do rescue work. Getting the animals the help they need and finding a way to pay for it.
You can contact Young by sending an e-mail to AdoptKings@gmail.com or checking her Web site.Even I was surprised to learn that Art has adjusted to life with Young's dog and three cats. I've always believed we all can get along, but I'm pleased when I get to hear stories about it.King pigeons are "full of personality but because people don't know about them, they often can't find good homes," Young says.Ideally, a home for a king pigeon would be a safe place -- indoors or out -- that affords protection from weather and predators and enough room to move: an area that is about 3 foot high, 6 foot long and 3 foot wide. That space works fine for two birds, she says.MickaCoo has four king pigeons available for adoption. They are being kept at Andy's Pet Shop in San Jose, but they need "foster and forever homes," Young says.Granted, not everybody has the right set up to have a pet pigeon, but make sure you check out Young's blog about caring for some of hers at www.rescuereport.org. You can also read more about MickaCoo at www.Mickaboo.org/MickaCoo.
Dog showA reminder that the 103rd annual Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show will be at the Cow Palace in San Francisco today and Sunday. With gray, rainy weather ahead, it's a nice option for something to do.If you go, see which breed you think would be good as First Pet in the White House.About 2,000 dogs are expected to strut their stuff. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission if $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children.For more information, call (415) 404-4111.
Contact Linda Goldston at lgoldston@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5862.Caption:PHOTO: Elizabeth YoungElizabeth Young of San Francisco rescued Art, a king pigeon.Copyright (c) 2009 San Jose Mercury NewsRecord Number: 1070163
January 24, 2009
RESCUE GROUP IS FOR THE BIRDS
Author: Linda Goldston
Mercury NewsEdition: Valley FinalSection: Home & GardenPage: 6E
Elizabeth Young had never heard of a king pigeon until she started volunteering at the San Francisco Animal Care & Control shelter last year.Then she quickly learned two things: "They're sweet, smart creatures" and a lot of other people don't know about them.That's why they are often euthanized at animal shelters.King pigeons, also called utility pigeons, are raised for squab meat, and if they're lucky enough to escape before the butcher or someone sets them free -- "a kindness they rarely survive" -- they aren't high on the animal rescue totem pole."All of the other animals -- dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, parakeets and parrots -- have rescue groups to help them when they're at risk of being put to sleep because they were hard to place or too numerous," Young says.
Now pigeons and doves have a rescue group, too, and Young is the head of it.Mickaboo Bird Rescue, a well-established group that I've written about before, has created a new division called MickaCoo, which aims to rescue and find homes for domestic pigeons and doves.And they could use a little help."Right now I know of more than 30 domestic pigeons, fostered at Bay Area shelters, that are in need of homes," Young says. "I am outreaching to Southern California, Nevada and even Georgia for homes for these at-risk birds."One of the rescued birds is Art, named King Arthur by a volunteer at the San Francisco Animal Care & Control shelter. She -- Young learned Art is a hen -- "was very skinny on arrival and may have been a pet that was set free as she's been very tame and friendly with me from the start."Young brought Art home to recover in her "kitchen counter pigeon hospital." The bird needed veterinary help, and Young saw it as good news and bad news: Art is much better, but his vet bill was $850.It's a daily struggle for people who do rescue work. Getting the animals the help they need and finding a way to pay for it.
You can contact Young by sending an e-mail to AdoptKings@gmail.com or checking her Web site.Even I was surprised to learn that Art has adjusted to life with Young's dog and three cats. I've always believed we all can get along, but I'm pleased when I get to hear stories about it.King pigeons are "full of personality but because people don't know about them, they often can't find good homes," Young says.Ideally, a home for a king pigeon would be a safe place -- indoors or out -- that affords protection from weather and predators and enough room to move: an area that is about 3 foot high, 6 foot long and 3 foot wide. That space works fine for two birds, she says.MickaCoo has four king pigeons available for adoption. They are being kept at Andy's Pet Shop in San Jose, but they need "foster and forever homes," Young says.Granted, not everybody has the right set up to have a pet pigeon, but make sure you check out Young's blog about caring for some of hers at www.rescuereport.org. You can also read more about MickaCoo at www.Mickaboo.org/MickaCoo.
Dog showA reminder that the 103rd annual Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show will be at the Cow Palace in San Francisco today and Sunday. With gray, rainy weather ahead, it's a nice option for something to do.If you go, see which breed you think would be good as First Pet in the White House.About 2,000 dogs are expected to strut their stuff. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission if $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children.For more information, call (415) 404-4111.
Contact Linda Goldston at lgoldston@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5862.Caption:PHOTO: Elizabeth YoungElizabeth Young of San Francisco rescued Art, a king pigeon.Copyright (c) 2009 San Jose Mercury NewsRecord Number: 1070163
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