On February 9th, something really wonderful happened in the world of pigeon rescue! SF Animal Care & Control (SFACC), for the first time ever, began fostering a pair of king pigeons downstairs in the Lobby where they are seen by probably 100 people a day. This is a huge development that will dramatically increase awareness about their usually hidden plight.
I met with shelter staff and volunteers to introduce all their available pigeons (usually kept one per cage) and see who would be a compatible pair to move in together.
We chose young birds Lemon Drop and Coco and got busy setting up their super-cool, two story pigeon condo.
Animal Care Supervisor Eric Zuercher (who has been helping me to help SFACC's pigeons since my first one back in September 2007) helped make this Lobby Pigeons dream come true.
I am very happy about this. MickaCoo and the pigeons and doves need this increased visibility and creative publicity.
And the Front Desk staff have been really enjoying having the kings around.
Judy Choy, Shelter Service Supervisor says, "I consider Lemon Drop and Coco to be a part of our front desk division. They never seem to be bored and neither am I with their performances of 'the flapping of the wings'. I enjoy their cooing sounds and witnessing the bond they have formed together. My favorite is giving them treats!"
Lead Smalls & Exotics Volunteer Tracey Rice answered my questions about the Lobby Pigeons this way:
Q: What's it like sharing the lobby with a pair of king pigeons?
A: Lemon Drop & Coco are the ambassadors of the shelter. They are regal, majestic & beautiful. They greet you with a soft cooing that melts your heart......
Q: How are they doing in the Lobby?
A: Lemon Drop & Coco have adapted well to their new surroundings. They have each other, plenty of space to move around (including a cool 'slide' to show them down to the second floor of their habitat), and lots of people to interact with them....
Q: What would you say to other shelters considering fostering king pigeons in their lobby?
A: It's a win, win situation. It helps from an educational standpoint, explaining how king pigeons make beautiful additions to a household. It helps them get much needed exposure & we hope that after doing some research and talking with our experienced staff & volunteers, that people will consider adopting a pair of these gorgeous creatures!
Q: What do shelter visitors think about king pigeons in the lobby?
A: At first, they don't know what they are, so they either ask, or they read their Profile Card. Then, a conversation starts about what it might take to incorporate them into a household successfully.
While some birds would be stressed by what is often a hectic environment with lots of people and dogs and activity all day, king pigeons are both smart and laid back. They understand the difference between inside and out and aren't too concerned with anybody who is outside their cage. They seem to watch the lobby population as much as they are watched.
And not only are Lemon Drop and Coco serving the pigeon rescue cause as much-needed ambassadors, they are enjoying the advantages of having a bigger, more enriched foster cage and the companionship of another bird (pigeons hate to be alone) in addition to all the lobby entertainment.
When asked for his comments on the Lobby Pigeon Project, Eric said, "The response to the pigeons in the shelter lobby has been all positive. Both the public and the front desk staff have remarked they enjoy the cooing sounds. A couple surprising remarks from the public is that they were not aware that the birds were available for adoption, and that the birds could be housed indoors. Despite being in a very busy area with people, dogs, cats, carts, noise, and other stimuli all day long, the birds remain serene and seem to actually enjoy all of the commotion. It appears placing a cage of King pigeons in the lobby is helping to increase public awareness that these birds are another companion animal that might be right for them."
There are a lot of other pigeons counting on Lemon Drop and Coco. What do YOU think about shelters fostering pigeons in their Lobbies?
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