Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is Placing Pigeons!

There is something very special happening at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA- they are placing domestic and unreleasable pigeons with adopters!

They have placed almost 81 in the two past years! This is big news because, for some reason, most animal shelters treat domestic pigeons as if they were unadoptable. In the Bay Area, MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue takes in the birds that would otherwise be killed in shelters and fosters them and provides vet care and adoption (more than 300 in 2011) so having the placement power of a big, successful shelter like PHS working for pigeons is wonderful (and very much needed)! And they are full up too with 14 pigeons and a dove available for adoption.

Exotic Animal & Customer Service Specialists Mariela and Jessica are driving forces in this effort (pictured below with available-for-adoption king pigeon Maggie Magoo).

Here's what Mariela says:

"After having a meeting with you and having made our flyer with us holding pigeons, lots of people were surprised during our Wild Tour this past weekend that pigeons can be great companions, and one even said she was going to start doing all her homework and buy the appropriate size indoor cage and was thrilled about having them come out and socialize every day. I have a very positive outlook for them after meeting with you. Maybe we can start selling pigeon pants because they were a big hit too. One of the main things that, kind of bother me and seems hard to overcome is when I hear a lot of "Why do you have a flying rat on your shoulder"? The misconception by many is that they are filthy creatures that carry disease. I've seen them spend a considerable amount of time bathing in their water and preening. I hardly call them filthy. Most people don't even know what a king pigeon is and I spend a lot of time just educating them about the species overall.

A lot of the pigeons we come across are young and seem to adjust well to human interaction. I have grown extremely fond of them over the years, and have learned so much. Just having MickaCoo as a resource has been life saving for many of the pigeons here at PHS and I am very happy to be part of this cause. If I didn't already have my own extremely demanding cockatoo, I would adopt kings in a heartbeat. I love my cockatoo, but had I known about pigeons being great companions before acquiring her, I would be a king pigeon parent today."

And Jessica says:

"I never really knew much about domestic pigeons until I began working at PHS. After I began working in the Exotics Department, I began to realize how much personality a pigeon could have. Throughout the years I have noticed a good number of the public is not familiar with domestic pigeons and the amazing birds that they are. I have been truly grateful and lucky to be able to educate so many children and adults about pigeons and doves. Each is an individual. They come in all shapes and sizes and all have a different personality, just like people. PHS has taken an extra step in saving many lives throughout the Bay Area. We are spreading awareness more and more each and every day about the struggles a pigeon has to overcome. Whether it be passing out flyers, going to events, or just walking around the shelter with pigeons in pants! Pigeons are by far my favorite type bird. They deserve every right to live and be part of a forever home. Because we have received a great number of doves and pigeons we are running out of space to temporarily house them. I have began building an aviary out in my backyard to foster pigeons we receive who need medical attention or a place to stay until more space opens up. This way I can save more lives every day. Not only will it assure care and a home for more birds but it will also educate my daughter to grow up loving and caring for each and every animal. I am so proud to talk about what I do and all the animals we give forever homes to. Domestic pigeons are unable to fend for themselves in this big wide world. I hope more people are educated and open their hearts to these beautiful, intelligent amazing birds and save many more lives in the future."

The new facility on Rollins Road includes a room full of pigeons available for adoption!

We met on January 25th to strategize about outreach and PR and pants for pigeons!

We admired the incredible portraits and found a big empty spot just crying out for a pigeon portrait!

They also have a big, beautiful wildlife rescue facility on site including an aviary for rehabbing wild pigeons and doves.

On January 28th, I had the pleasure of accompanying PHS staff and volunteers on a Mobile Adoption at Bow Wow Meow in Menlo Park. They not only brought cats and dogs but PIGEONS too! I've been to countless rescue events in the past four years and this is the first time I ever attended one where another rescue brought pigeons! YAY!!!!

Here's my online photo album of this historic (to MickaCoo and I) event!

Peninsula Humane Society's Mobile Adoption Includes Pigeons!

And this just in- the upcoming PHS Fashion for Compassion fashion show WILL include pigeons in pants!

7th annual Fashion for Compassion fashion show

Sunday, April 22, 2012 – 12:00pm
Hilton San Francisco Airport, Burlingame

Please join the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA once again for our 7th annual Fashion for Compassion fashion show. The 3-course gourmet vegetarian luncheon will be followed once again by an all animal fashion show! This is an afternoon you won't want to miss!

For additional information or to be placed on the mailing list, please contact Dawn Kelsey Fanara at (650) 340-7022 x375 or dkelsey@PHS-SPCA.org

Yay!!!!!