** URGENT ** Need help in the LA area. 200+ pigeons need placing

[Charis]

Press release, Pigeon clubs in the area...?
Another good reason for each of us to have made arrangements for our animals. This is a good reminder and I sure hope these birds can be saved.
Thanks for all your work on this, Mary. You too, Terry. This has got to be hard on each of you.

[maryjane]

I can take a two or three pairs, if they can be shipped....not sure how they'd love being in an aviary but it's better than being dead. I'm seven hours away from LA by car but shipping would be best, I can pay if needed for shipping. Maybe if there are some special needs birds, or special pets of his? Any are fine with me.

Another thought, has anyone placed an ad on Craigslist? I don't condone that site and in fact stay away from it because it makes me sick sometimes (the pets section, that is) but if it's that desperate of a situation, some people may want to adopt. I have found some wonderful homes for foster kittens through Craigslist so the good people are out there. If you think that's a good idea I can post an ad in that area, so let me know if you want me too and what basic info to give if it's other than what we know. What a terrible situation, I feel so bad for that poor man faced with this!

[Charis]

You're a good egg, Maryjane.
I sure feel helpless all the way up here in Oregon.

[flitsnowzoom]

Based on what I know, the family is elderly. Terry may know more, but I'll give the lady a call tomorrow and see if I can get more details.

Thanks for caring.

[TAWhatley]

While I want everyone to be aware of these birds and the situation, let's hold off for a bit on Craigslist and such. I've spoken with the brother, sister-in-law, and the wife. These are not cruel people .. just a family that can no longer deal with 200+ pigeons. The owner is a diabetic that has lost both legs and is also suffering some mental problems; his wife has a serious respiratory problem and is not supposed to be anywhere near the birds, but she is continuing to care for them; the brother and sister-in-law are also not able to care for this large number of birds and went looking for help.

Like I said, let's give this a day or two .. I'm trying to get the local pigeon clubs/groups involved, have notified everyone I can think of that is in bird rescue here in So Cal, and we just need a little bit to get ourselves organized. I also have another idea or two that might work if simply trying to find homes doesn't do it for these birds.

I do not believe that the wife would be able to handle boxing and shipping of the birds, and the logistics of that .. whew .. getting those of you willing to adopt via shipping .. would be tough. You all would need to ship boxes and money to cover the shipping costs .. I'm not close enough for it to be practical for me to assist by receiving the boxes and funds, and I truly don't think the wife or other family members are up to it.

So, let's see what shakes out here in the next couple of days. I don't think the family is going to do anything as long as there is help in placing the pigeons and as long as progress in finding homes is being made.

Terry

[maryjane]

Sounds good, Terry. Good luck!

[firstimer]

I can go and get a head count and get some information off the bands.
Tomorrow.
Just need the address.
Terry if you want I can bring a car load to ya!
Firstimer

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by firstimer

I can go and get a head count and get some information off the bands.
Tomorrow.
Just need the address.
Terry if you want I can bring a car load to ya!
Firstimer

Thanks, Firstimer! I'm PM'ing you the contact info .. I really just need a head count on the birds, assessment of their condition overall, and where the bands came from (don't expect you to look at each one .. just a general idea if they are LAPC, IPB, AU, IF, or whatever bands).

Please .. no .. don't bring me a carload of them .. I have no where to put them right now. We'll get this all figured out and find homes for them.

Thank you so much for your help! Smooch those little ones for me tonight!

Terry

[firstimer]

No problem Terry.
I'll do my best for you.

[TAWhatley]

I will be updating this thread again later today. Firstimer was kind enough to go and scope out the situation today. I am waiting for some photos and video, but based upon what she told me over the phone, there are some birds definitely in dire condition. I guess the good news is that there aren't 200 pigeons but more like 125 pigeons and the bad news part of that is that something has been getting into the coop and killing birds.

More later.

Terry

[firstimer]

Alright sighh... Terry, it has taken me hours to do it but I think I'm done. I hope you got the videos in the emails and I put the pictures in Flickr.com and PM you the username and password.
These birds need help and fast too. I’ve been praying all day for them and I will continue until each and every one is taken care of somehow.
I can always come to you and help you if you want.

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by firstimer

Alright sighh... Terry, it has taken me hours to do it but I think I'm done. I hope you got the videos in the emails and I put the pictures in Flickr.com and PM you the username and password.
These birds need help and fast too. I’ve been praying all day for them and I will continue until each and every one is taken care of somehow.
I can always come to you and help you if you want.

See my e-mails and PM's to you .. we'll get it handled, and I know from the pics and videos how very hard this was on you today. I'm very grateful for your help. I probably won't have a plan of attack until tomorrow or Sunday, but we will definitely be helping these birds.

Bless you, Firstimer!

Terry

[firstimer]

Glad to be of help.

[canaryjayne]

yes, well done firstimer.

jayne UK

[maryjane]

Thank you Firstimer, for doing what must have been a very emotionally and physically difficult job. If only I were closer!! Here's a long shot, but if anyone is traveling from LA to anywhere close(r) to San Francisco I can meet them to take some of the birds. That's all I can think of other than shipping (which I know is not the best option or even a viable one right now). Keep us updated and thanks again to everyone trying to help.