Calling all Pigeon people near SF, CA

[maryjane]

Hi all....I received a message from a woman, Mary, last night about a pigeon baby she found (not sure of age at the moment). Rather, he's been nesting in a pot at her job, and yesterday one parent disappeared so just one is feeding it. She says (argh) that there is a hawk in the neighborhood that has taken the last few babies that nested there, and that she will take the pot away after this baby is taken care of. At first she wanted to "let nature take its course" but I've convinced her that the hawk has plenty of food and if it's a preventable death, why not prevent it?? So she asked if I would post. I am a few hours from her and don't have the time during the day to hand-raise a squab. I can possibly put it with my foster-parent-pijies but they're not even laying on eggs right now so.......Is anyone close to San Francisco that can help? She can meet anyone tonight after work, she said. Please let me know and I can help arrange it or pass her contact info onto you. Thanks everyone!! She is located in the Twin Peaks area of San Francisco, on West Portal Road.

[maryjane]

Does anyone know if there even is anyone near SF besides me? I thought there was but I could be wrong and I may be the only one near. Of course, my car broke down yesterday and this lady seems pretty busy so I don't know if she can drive it to me (I doubt it) but I'll see what I can do. Anyone near, please let me know if you can help. I'm full of bottle-feeding feral kittens at the moment and have school and work and am just about out of time during the days! Thanks again.

[Pidgey]

We have had several folks in your area although they may visit the forum infrequently. You may try emailing one or some of them as many of them keep in phone contact. You could try the Minimonkeys, feralpigeon, Scuiry and there was another in the San Francisco area but I can't remember. You could use the site search engine and put in "Francisco" and get some threads to look back on. I'll try that after I post this.

Pidgey

[Pidgey]

You can click on the member names, select the email option and see if you can get in touch with them:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showpo...7&postcount=14

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showpo...4&postcount=13

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showpo...48&postcount=5

Pidgey

[maryjane]

Thank you, Pidgey! I wasn't sure how to find out who lives where. I will write to them now. Thanks for taking the time to find the links, I really appreciate it.

[maryjane]

I messaged those people as well as some other people I found around SF and haven't heard from anyone. Does anyone know of any wildlife centers around there that will rehab an uninjured baby? This lady is pretty upset about it and very worried, and I'm worried too. She tried putting a box around it but then the parents wouldn't come at all, and now just one has been coming, I believe. Any ideas? She's only there during the work day until six or so, at least two hours before sunset.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Maryjane,

Please try this list of rehabbers in California. Just go through the listing and read what species they will take.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm#ca

Hope this helps

[maryjane]

Good news, the other parent has returned to the baby and the woman and her boss have built a small protective structure around nest and baby, which the parents have no problem getting into, and the hawk hasn't been seen for a few days now at all. They will keep a close eye on the nest over the weekend. I'm so relieved, I'd written to her yesterday that I could take it but I'm so busy right now, and dealing with feral kittens and bottle-feeding and a million other things, I just didn't need one more! I would have taken it anyway, of course, as is our way..... But I'm glad he can stay with mom and dad and be raised in a safe place. Thanks for the suggestions and help.

[kittypaws]

Maryjane,

That's great news - best all around and the lady and her boss sound really nice people to want to help the pigeons - gives you a bit of faith in human nature sometimes doesn' it?

Bottle feeding feral kittens?- what will happen to them when they are weaned and where did you get them from? Stupid questions I know but just wondering - I am a kitty person myself you see ( and pigeons of course.....)

Tania x

[maryjane]

Yes, they are nice people, she has been worried sick all week about the baby, poor lady. So I'm really glad they were able to fix it up for it.

As for kittens.....a feral colony set up shop at my dad's shop (auto shop, big warehouse next to a feed mill, with extra rooms full of parts, not many people around), and we've been trapping/altering/relocating for four or five years now. Most of the litters I try to get when they're small enough to bottle-feed, that way they become very tame and forget all about being feral. So I did some litters this year and at the moment I think we have all the moms spayed (knock on wood!). So, last week I saw that a cat rescue a few hours away had pulled 19 bottle-feeding kittens from Martinez shelter, and needed help, and I had several people who had offered recently to help with kittens. I went to the rescue Thursday and took 6 of the kittens, and they said they would bring more to me Saturday if I had homes lined up. The six kittens went to their homes, and I lined up homes for 14 more on Friday, and they never called or anything! I left messages saying we had homes ready, and they never called or returned emails, it was so strange, especially since they were so desperate. At first I thought they must be really busy but now I think they're either crazy or rude.

SO the families that took the six, found themselves too busy, etc., and all week I've been picking them up from one place and relocating them to their new places, poor things. Finally they are all taken care of (I hope...and pray!). It's so strange (and frustrating), several people (over 15) had offered to help and then when it came down to it, wouldn't call or write back when I needed them. Some of them were all excited and had their bottles and milk ready, then literally four hours later wouldn't respond and I haven't heard since. Why in the world do people do that, offer to help and then not follow through? Everyone can't have family emergencies at the same time. Oops I've gone on and on, sorry. It has been a rather frustrating week, with the car breaking down and school starting and all. I am really glad the baby pigeon seems to be okay where he is. I always like to leave them with their real family unless there's no other option, of course. I'll shut up now, thanks for listening.

[karla]

Wow maryjane!!!
You are such a great person, very given to animals in need!!
God have blessed you with a sweet heart!!!!
I admire you!
Karla

[mr squeaks]

There are some people in this world who restore my faith in mankind...YOU are such a one, Maryjane! Bless your heart for all you are doing! I know how frustrating these things can be!

My VERY best to all the kittens as I am a "cat" person too!

AND, I am REALLY glad to hear about the baby pij and parents.

MY BEST TO ALL and THANKS FOR UPDATING US!

[arnieismybaby]

Maryjane - you are such a wonderful caring person. The wildlife in your area are extremely lucky that they have you around. I'm glad that everything has worked out with the baby pigeon.

Michelle.

[maryjane]

Thank you for your kind words, everyone, it has really made my day. I know we all try to do all we can and I admire each and every one of you every day!!