911 Pigeon Alert Volunteers Needed

[TAWhatley]

The time has come that we need to see if we can possibly get any volunteers to
assist on the 911 Pigeon Alert Group. Many are familiar with us and what we
do but I will try to give you a brief statement of what we do.

Mission:

To assist in the rescue, recovery and return of lost/found pigeons to their
breeder/owners. To educate the public on pigeons, reducing or eliminating
any misconceptions and myths they may hold about pigeons.
To track and make available recovery and return statistics to those
organizations affiliated with the group.

What does the 911 Pigeon Alert Group Do?

Volunteers assist with as many as 50 lost pigeons per week that are reported
found. Many times the finders are members of the general public who have no
clue as to how to care for pigeons, or how to get them back home to their
owners. These birds, when banded, are traced back to their breeders/owners
and the finders and owners are put in contact with each other. This allows
the birds to be returned to their home lofts easily.

Who are the 911 Pigeon Alert Group?

The 911 Pigeon Alert Group is made up of dedicated individuals including
racing and show pigeon hobbyists, pigeon rehabilitators, and volunteers who
are members of the public. Group Moderators and recovery & return
Facilitators include members from the AU, IF, NPA, NBRC and other
organizations.

How does the 911 Pigeon Alert Group work?

The 911 Pigeon Alert Group uses Web (internet) based tools to allow the
finders to indicate they have found a bird, as well as share the information
about the birds' condition, appearance, and registration band numbers. The
911 Pigeon Alert Group provides instructions on feeding, housing, and caring
for an injured pigeon while its home is being located. The
Group also provides contact information on the various National Pigeon
Organizations and on local pigeon enthusiasts who can assist with caring for
the lost / found bird.

If interested in volunteering you truly would gain so much by knowing that
you helped to make a difference to the public as well as educating so many
individuals, seeing that the birds and finders interest are taken care of in
such an educating way. You will not get so much appreciation as you do from
so many of the people we assist, believe it or not you get so much self
satisfaction out of knowing that you made such a difference to the
individuals you assist. This is a very rewarding position that you would
have if you are willing to volunteer and assist. Please if anyone is
interested we could sure use the help, please email Steve at
pigeons@WEST-WORLD.COM and he can answer any questions and can go over
the protocol that we follow as well as the training that we provide
on working with the public and dealing with a database which will handle
a lot of the record keeping of what is going on with the birds reported.

Thanks so much to anyone that has the time to help.

Sincerely,

Ellen - Owner/Moderator 911 Pigeon Alert Group
relofts@sbcglobal.net