Updates from MickaCoo 11/9/11

MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue is even busier than usual right now with lots going on. Here are updates on a just a few of the happenings.

Transitioning to Sustainability (continued from "Fledging from the Nest")

The feedback about my pursuing funding to be a paid director for MickaCoo has been overwhelmingly positive but the organizational growing pains will be significant. Splitting from Mickaboo (which 'Coo must do if I am to earn a salary) will be very challenging because it has been such a huge source of support and efficiency. The new MickaCoo will need a new website, host, IT help, database and donor management system, etc. (ASSISTANCE NEEDED!) Being part of an existing bird rescue has also been a huge source of community and a continuous education for me and MickaCoo. Rescue work is hard and the emotional costs are high and being a part of Mickaboo has been a comfort. Applying for and puzzling through the intricacies of a new fiscal sponsor is time-consuming and must be done on top of the ever-present rescue work. MickaCoo is full with more than 110 pigeons and doves in our foster care and I am contacted daily with requests for help. Adoptions are slow and much needed...

MickaCoo or Who?

The quest for the perfect name for MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue continues. There are pros and cons to keeping the name the same even while officially splitting from Mickaboo. Interestingly, 52.9 of the survey respondents recommend keeping MickaCoo in the name while 47.1 recommend changing it.

Of the 16 name choices offered in the survey, the losers were:

#14 Mercy Pigeon & Dove Adoption

#15 Paloma's Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

#16 Pigeon & Dove Adoptions & Saviaries

and the winners were:

#4 Bay Area Pigeon & Dove Adoption Agency

#3 Coo Pigeon & Dove Rescue

#2 Dove & Pigeon Rescue & Rehoming

#1 MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue

We've since logged a long list of additional possibilities for a new name but nothing yet has felt like "it". From my perspective, I'd love the name to be special or memorable and to reflect fairness (which has been in such short supply for pigeons). I'd also love to incorporate the words "adoption" and "aviary" to emphasize what needs to happen rather than focus on rescue which, without adopters and aviaries, is an illusion. Other considerations are the value of having the words "pigeons" and "doves" in the name (for searchability among other things) and I'd love to impose a protective barrier of sorts by including a limiting geographic range (SF/Bay Area) as well as the qualifier "domestic" (since we're not rehab & release experts). Try as we might, we cannot save every pij and dove that needs our help. But, added up, that all turns into the unwieldy "SF/Bay Area Domestic Pigeon & Dove Adoptions and Aviaries" (or close to the #4 name choice).

It has been suggested that we run a naming contest which I would love to do but need a volunteer to run it. ASSISTANCE NEEDED!

The list to date (in no particular order) includes:

Wonder Dove & Pigeon Rescue

Coomanity

ADOPT (Adopt Doves or Pigeons Today)

MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue
MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Adoption Agency
Bay Area Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Pigeon & Dove ReHoming
Coo Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Humble Kings Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Gentle Kings Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Gentle Strength Pigeon & Dove Adoptions
Soldiers of Love: Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Domestic Pigeon & Dove Adoption Agency
Compassion for All Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Compassionate Wings Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Paloma's Pigeon & Dove Adoptions
Adopt Pigeons & Doves
Shelter Pigeon & Dove Adoption Agency
Friends of Pigeons & Doves Adoption Agency
Pigeon & Dove Adoptions & Aviaries
Pigeon & Dove Adoptions & Saviaries
Mercy Pigeon & Dove Adoption
Heroes Have Wings: Pigeon and Dove Rescue
Little Pink Feet: Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Pink Feet Foundation
Do The Right Thing Pigeon & Dove Rescue
SF Kings Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Peace Bird Rescue
AdoptKings: Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Adopt Kings Pigeon & Doves ResCoo
Be Fair Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Underdog Bird Rescue
Pigeon & Dove ReHoming Network (PDRN)
pHarmony
Pigeon AmNESTy
Justice for Pij
Pigeon Compassion
Home at Last
Motley Coo
Coo Squad
Squab Squad
Coo for Pigeons and Doves
Squab Stoppers
Coos for You
Coos to You
Don’t Ever Eat Pigeons Rescue (DEEPR)
ModSquab
We Can Be Heroes Pigeon & Dove Rescue
Columbidae Rescue
MobSquab
Habitats for Coomanity
SaveACoo
No ExCooses Pigeon & Dove Rescue

Great Party, Don't Miss It!

Mickaboo is hosting its annual Holiday Party Saturday December 3rd at The Eagles Hall (!) in Livermore and MickaCoo is going to be there too! It is going to be lots of fun and everybody in attendance will be a bird lover. And it is going to be a costume party (optional) and there will be amazing treasures available for sale in the Silent Auction including (see below for just a few). RSVP right now! Email me at AdoptKings at gmail dot com for carpool connections.

Art Eggs by J Brooke Patterson

Framed Photographs by Ingrid Taylar

Jewelry by Alice Finney

Filoli Family Membership

Carriage Ride by Kimberly Fishman

Mermaids Tattoo Session

explOratorium Family Membership (and Behind the Scenes Tour)

Overnight Stay, Tour & Tastings at Jordan Winery and Terra Savia

and lots more!

In Bird News...

Formerly bullied but now safe fantail Felix is regrowing feathers in places that have been bare for a long time

Recovering from a spinal-injury Persian High Flier Ava and her roommate blind feral pigeon Jenny have been adopted

Grown man (and recently single) pigeon Peppermint has won young hen Skylar away from her childhood sweetheart Pancho

And Lily, my pet dove and special assistant surprised me by laying an egg on Saturday. She had recently been cooing for a mate in ways that made me think she was a he but that is often the case when a pigeon or dove hen is single. If no one is courting them, they go all Sadie Hawkins and can fool you.

Please Support Our Supporters

Mickaboo appreciates your daily votes in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge this month

Iron Wolf Farm Sanctuary is seeking a Pepsi grant to help their rescued pigeons & needs votes

Peaceful Paws Springs Rescue needs your one-time vote now in Chase Community Giving

Muttsville Senior Dog Rescue & Rocket Dog Rescue are both competing to be in SF's Top 49 Charities