333: Number of Pigeons & Doves MickaCoo Placed with Adopters in 2011

333 pigeons and doves that otherwise would have been killed in shelters last year were saved and adopted thanks to the efforts and support of many people- locally and far away, with contributions large and small. Good Samaritans. Shelter staff and volunteers. Fosters. Donors. Adopters. Together we are doing what has been described as "amazing and pioneering work". And it is.

333 lives saved, 333 deaths prevented.

Doves Pierre (the 3 am Dove) & Lucia and Magic & Daisy and Sammy & Cassie (now Brigid), Neela & Sandpiper, Sasha & Norman and many more found as strays or timed out in shelters are now living as beloved pets, indoors or in carefully made-to-be-predator and rodent-proof aviaries (or both in the case of some lucky "commuters").

And so many pigeons. More than 200 Persian High Flyers that were left behind when the Lucky Dog Pet Shop in Berkeley closed down. This rescue would have been too big for MickaCoo without the incredible help (and lofts) of foster volunteer and adopter Russ.

We were able to save 12 neglected and mistreated king pigeons that were dumped like trash in Oakland, thanks to the help of the Rotary Nature Center, volunteers and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary that adopted them into their loving care. (Photo of Ray Ray courtesy of Christine.)

Included in the 333 birds that were adopted from MickaCoo last year were frail, sickly baby king pigeons that have grown into magnificent royalty like Quince & Yuzu (photo by adopter Shae).

Old, beat up and neglected pigeons like Teddy & Chase who came in starved, injured, traumatized were nursed back to strength, found mates and comfort and the dignity of a home.

Terra Savia Vineyard & Winery said Yes (!) to the idea that building an aviary for rescued king pigeons would be a win win and created a gorgeous home for 14 incredibly lucky birds like Neo & Isabella, Marty & Zev, Speckles & Ellsworth, that would have otherwise been killed.

Together, thanks to all of your help, involvement, donations and support of all kinds, MickaCoo literally saved 333 innocent creatures from being killed in 2011.

Because MickaCoo fosters a big caseload (100-280) and prioritizes taking in the most-at-risk sick and injured birds, like paralyzed Ava, our avian vet bills, despite generous discounts, are high- about $2,000 every month. (And we are No Kill, euthanizing only when the bird is suffering and there is no hope of recovery- only twice in our 4.5 year history.)

It's taken many, many hours of bird care and outreach and welfare checks and humane education. Volunteers have logged many very expensive miles transporting all across the Bay Area, from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, Petaluma to Oakley.

And every one of those 333 birds needed a foster home in which to stay until an adopter committed to them. The foster volunteers are the heart and soul of MickaCoo upon which everything else depends.

And the need continues. MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue is succeeding in developing more support for pigeons and doves in Bay Area shelters but they aren't yet able to care for and place all the birds that need help. The Peninsula Humane Society is currently working to place 15 domestic pigeons and doves; SFACC has at least 6 (some there since January) and there are many others. Our work is still needed. We're full with more than 100 birds in foster care and urgently need more volunteer help, more foster capacity, more funding, more adopters. We are still needed to help birds like Moonbeam who was found as a stray on 2/6 and is waiting in her shelter cage for a home.

And birds like Opal & Georgie, two very sick babies when taken into foster care on 2/1 who are now fit and feisty and thriving young foster birds (photo courtesy of their foster mom Jill), still need our help.

From my heart, thank you. Thank you for helping us to save the lives of 333 innocents in 2011. And please- continue your support. Foster or adopt. Donate.

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