** URGENT ** Pigeon Disaster In So. Cal!

[TAWhatley]

Hi All,

I've been MIA trying to deal with a real disaster for some 200 pigeons here in Southern California yesterday and today.

A fellow by the name of Red Enright rescues and rehabs pigeons in the South Bay Area (he is in Torrance). He was turned in to animal control for having more than the allowed 4 pigeons, and all 200 of his birds were being confiscated today.

I am still scrambling to get all the accurate details of where these birds are being taken and whether or not they will be allowed to be adopted. Being rescue and rehab birds many will have disabilities of some type or another, and I'm very concerned that someone without a lot of pigeon knowledge is apt to make some unwise decisions resulting in the death of some or all of these birds.

If you are able to assist with this terrible situation in any way, please do let me know. We need homes and lots of them .. we need help with transportation .. we may need help with expenses ..

Once I have all the details and know what can or can't be done, I will update the list.

Bart and I will be taking all that we can, but we won't even make a dent in 200 birds.

Sadly, this is another example of a good person trying to help birds who got in over his head. Though he is devastated by what has happened, it is the birds that will pay the ultimate price. Please, let's all try to remember what our limits are and not push things so far that we lose our ability to help any birds.

Terry

[pdpbison]

Hi Terry,

I might be able to get a ride to Los Angeles on Saturday.

I could take any Babys, Youngsters, or those of impending release-ability.

Or, as many as would fit into my friends Car anyway...'if' in fact he is heading down there Sat'y and all...and he does plan to do so...so...


Phil
Las Vegas

[Reti]

Thank you, Phil.
This is a heartbreaking situation, I hope all birds can be rescued
Terry, you are doing a wonderful job, thank you. All the help I can offer is with the expenses.

Reti

[TAWhatley]

Thank you Phil and Reti. I still have not heard back from animal control so have no accurate details of what can or cannot be done at this point. I am working with some folks in the area up there who personally know Red, and hope to find out more from them tonight. I'll keep everyone posted.

Terry

[upcd]

I am an hour away from you should you need help.

[TAWhatley]

Thank you, Debbie .. how many could you take?

Terry

[BrianNAmy]

Looked up a rehab group in CA, have you tried them yet?

http://www.wildlifecareassociation.net/

[Trees Gray]

Sorry to hear about this very sad and urgent situation.

Just letting you know, I'm going to be getting many from my rehabber when she moves, so I'm booked solid, if there is anything else I can do let me know.

[pigeonmama]

Terry,
I can't see shipping pigeons to Maine as best for them. Poor things, to have to tolerate that long, scary trip, and then come to my cold, wet weather. PLease let us know how things are going. I'll send $20.00 , wish I could send more Please e-mail me at peekabo@megalink.net with your address, or address and name of someone who will be helping and need a bit of money.
Daryl

[TAWhatley]

According to the person who was caring for all these birds and a lady who went to his residence last night, all but one of these 200 birds were euthanized on the site yesterday. It continues to be next to impossible to get any factual information from the animal control organization, but I'm still trying.

Terry

[Trees Gray]

OMG, that is terrible. I'm so sorry!

I can't understand how they can just come and euthanize them, without him getting any kind of notice well in advance. Animal control here gives you a warning and date when they have to be gone.

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

According to the person who was caring for all these birds and a lady who went to his residence last night, all but one of these 200 birds were euthanized on the site yesterday. It continues to be next to impossible to get any factual information from the animal control organization, but I'm still trying.

Terry

OMG! I am so sorry Terry.
Please pass along to Red my condolences.
I can't even begin to say I know what he's going through, but if it's remotely close to what I would be feeling, he has reached the pit of hell.

Cindy

[Lady Tarheel]

Wonder why these "compassionate" animal control folks allowed even one to live.
If this is true, it makes me absolutely furious. I am really so Mad! To not even give the man a few days to make arrangements. Just think, 199 precious pigeons euthanized on the spot. Where in the world is this nation of ours headed. It is bad enough euthanizing them but the distress and agony they went through during that process just infuriates me.

Terry, god bless you for trying to help. Please tell this kind man how terribly sorry I am over this. I can just imagine he feels absolutely shattered. I do and I don't even know him.

Maggie

[pigeonmama]

Teyrry,
Is there any one we can e-mail, contact in any way, to demonstrate our feelings on this? I cannot understand how such an incredibly inhumane act could have been allowed to happen, and I'm not afraid to let whoever made this decision and allowed it to happen hear what I think of them. Believe me, it's not very nice.
Daryl

[TAWhatley]

We still haven't really gotten to the bottom of this situation. I believe Andi Dahm is a member here on the board, and she is making an incredible effort to find out what really happened. She called me this morning with some very, very disturbing news if it is, in fact, true. Someone had told her that the method of "euthanasia" used was alcohol .. what kind of alcohol, I don't know nor the manner in which it may have been used.

The one bird spared is named Twister, and is either a recovering PMV bird or one with neuro symptoms from other causes.

Though this is a very depressing situation, I will continue to posts updates as I get them.

Terry