Lone pigeon on a college campus - unable to fly

[TAWhatley]

read all the posts in all the forums every day .. You guys and gals are a total hoot! No bustee's in sight right now, but be careful
This still is the emergency forum!

Terry

PS: AND no commentary on the term "bustee" .. you know what I meant ..

[mr squeaks]

If I EVER offend ANYONE, I expect to be called on it and I will take steps to rectify.

I HAVE MEANT AND MEAN NO HARM!!

If my actions DID get someone in trouble, I would like to know - and, again, would take steps to rectify. Thank you...

[Jamuko]

I am at a loss on what to do - my roommate is really upset about him now, and says he needs to go ASAP. Along with that, I am leaving tomorrow morning for Thanksgiving break, and obviously can't leave him here. I MIGHT be able to sneak him on the Greyhound bus with me, but it might be tricky and I still wouldn't really know what to do with him once I arrive home (in Winchester).

I contacted wildlife hotlines and whatnot and no one will take him; apparently they can't because pigeons aren't technically considered "native Virginia wildlife". -_- The closest contact I could get was someone in Powhatan county, which seems to be not toooo far from where I live, but I really don't know if that could work out or not.

What do I do? ;_; Some people have suggested I put him back outside... but it's REALLY cold outside now, and with this whole ordeal he might run away and then end up in a place where he is more likely to get attacked by something too...

I never thought it would be so hard to find someone who could care for him...

[Lovebirds]

This is terrible. What are you going to do? ARe you going to Winchester, VA?

[Reti]

I am so sorry you are having such a rough time with the poor bird.
Do you think the bird could be shipped to a rehabber or would it be too risky for him?

Reti

[Jamuko]

Yeah, I'm going to Winchester, VA.

Shipped? As in... the mail system? I can't say that thought ever crossed my mind, haha. Is that really a plausible option? If so, how would I go about getting a method of shipment that is safe for an animal, and who would I send it to?

I must say the thought of him going to one of you fine folks is much more comforting than handing him off to a stranger or back to the scary outdoors.


Edit: I just checked UPS, and their animal shipping prohibits birds. I'll keep looking.

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by Jamuko

Yeah, I'm going to Winchester, VA.

Shipped? As in... the mail system? I can't say that thought ever crossed my mind, haha. Is that really a plausible option? If so, how would I go about getting a method of shipment that is safe for an animal, and who would I send it to?

I must say the thought of him going to one of you fine folks is much more comforting than handing him off to a stranger or back to the scary outdoors.

Yes, shipping is a real option. You need to get an approved shipping box, put the bird in it, take it to the post office, and send it Express Mail. You do need to be sure that whatever post office you ship from can and will accept live shipments and also that the destination post office can also receive and deliver lives. I can take the bird in California if needed, but I suspect we can find a closer place.

Terry

[Jamuko]

It is late, so I probably won't be getting many replies for this in time, but just in case:

If I can get an address for someone who will take him, I will get up early tomorrow and check the post office here to see if it is possible to ship him from there. If not, I figure I'll have to smuggle him on the bus and hope my parents don't kill me :P . From there I'll check the post offices in that area and see if I can mail him from one of those.

Any takers? If you don't want to post your address publically, you can PM it to me. Thank you ;_;

[TAWhatley]

My address and name and phone # is everywhere .. you are welcome to send the bird to me:

Terry Whatley
24122 Palmek Circle
Lake Forest CA 92630

Phone # 949-584-6696

Terry

[feralpigeon]

Here's the kind of shipping box that you need:

http://www.hm-e.net/

Many of the pigeon supply houses also carry this approved shipping box for
live birds as well.

fp

[Jamuko]

Aha, thank you so much. I have no idea where to find a pigeon supply house around here, so it looks like I'll have to buy this online.

Since I wouldn't be able to get this box by tomorrow morning, I'll hold out on shipping to you, Terry. Maybe we can get a closer person willing to take him by the time the box arrives.

Seems my choice now is to either smuggle him back and forth by bus, or give him to my friend who might be able to take him for a few days (but he wouldn't get his box cleaned during that time because no one there is willing to :/ ). Then hope like heck that the local post office accepts live animals. :P

[Reti]

I would take him in, if nobody else offers (I see Terry did already). I am overrun with birds, have way too many and I am looking for homes for three at least..
Let us know how it goes, Jamuko.
Thank you Terry, for offering to take him in. If it doesn't work out, let me know.

Reti

[jazaroo]

If things work out that you can't get him shipped or find someone to watch him, I see no reason you could not take him with you. A small carry on bag with toweling in the bottom would be fine. They are so quite, I am sure no one would even know he is with you. A good feed and drink before you left, and unzip a little for good air should just about do it.

Hope things do work out, all the best,

Ron

[Jamuko]

=) Thanks everyone, I am home now and Pidgey is safe with my friend in Richmond. He is willing to clean the box after all, and keep him in the warm house, so he should be just fine for this week until I come back to ship him away.

Thank you Reti for offering as backup, even in your state of too many birds.

I guess within the next few days, I'll be taking offers from anyone who could take him who is closer to VA than Terry is. California is a pretty long way to travel for a bird, but if that ends up being the best option, then that's that.

Thanks again~

[TAWhatley]

I'm glad it worked out for the bird to be looked after while you're at home. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family!

If nothing else works out, I'll be happy to give the bird a home.

Terry