My Nonprofit Reviews

Few creatures have suffered the indignities of man’s fickleness as pigeons have. I mean creatures with whom we share our everyday lives, in urban and suburban spaces. Yes, the cat has been patient with our love hate relationship with her, but think of that one creature to which we attach all sorts of “alternative facts”. Facts like “they carry so many diseases”, “they are rats with wings.” And then proceed to ignore them even when they are all around us in our cities, under our overpasses and perched on our powerlines. But perhaps the worst of all indignities is that they do not fall under a protected species (most birds do- therefore it is prohibited to harbor them, harm them, try to poison them, and when rescued, can’t be killed).

I work in the environmental department at a large power plant. One day a squab was brought to my office. My first call was to our nearby bird sanctuary. They wanted nothing to do with it and even recommended I take it to a vet to be euthanized. I then went online to the Michigan DNR. I called rehabilitator after rehabilitator and none would take my calls. In years past, finding a rehabilitator willing to take a stray merganser was not trouble, but now, here was this tiny baby pigeon looking up at me expectantly- me who had never owned a bird in her life and knew nothing about the care of one, much less a baby. That’s when my desperate searches led me to Palomacy. Their organization is so well structured and rich with information that within minutes I had found a forum and videos which walked me step by step from what and how to feed a squab to how to house it.

I did this fully expecting baby to be dead every morning. But this little one was a patient teacher, and the information from Palomacy and their linked forums provided me with support and knowledge needed to do things right. One rescue became seven, four being successful releases, one having found a forever home, and I kept three for company. All through this I perused Palomacy’s pages, blogs and instructions. I looked for a foster home through their site, even if by the time I found a couple of places in Chicago who would take this little pigeon in I had decided to keep my little charge.

I think there was no avoiding falling in love with my little rescue. But I know that Palomacy had a lot to do with fully opening my eyes to what lovely creatures pigeons and doves are and how much work there is to do just to get them viewed favorably by most. I donate regularly to a few charities, but few have a webpage with this level of information. It provides videos: fun and educational, blogs: personal and informative, and many links. They are tireless educators, always reaching out to the community. But what I love is that they let the community help as well, teaching each other and sharing best practices. Some organizations can veer into an attitude that only they know what’s best. Palomacy seems to exude that same open tender love much like pigeons do. Any organization that is helping and open and eager to hear from you is an organization that is going to last long and go far.
I now take every opportunity I have not just to talk about my pigeons in hopes of opening more eyes and hearts to them but also about Palomacy and the work they are doing. For example, their calendar contest was a fantastic idea and incentive to get us to spread the word and be part of their community by becoming essential in fund raising. It was so rewarding to see my friends and family donating to Palomacy, as I am sure it was for Palomacy.