Places in UK for injured pigeons?

[cheekytheo]

Does anyone know of any good pigeon rescue centres in the UK as the RSPCA and local wildlife rescue centre do not seem interested in pigeons. Is it better to look after them ourself? Will vets normally have the experiance to treat feral pigeons if we pay them?

On Friday me and my wife found a pigeon in the town centre that had a severely broken foot (it was just hanging there). The pigeon was just sat in the middle of the highstreet not really moving much. Idiot kids tried to kick it so me and wife stopped them. (When the kids ran at it it flew a short distance, a couple of metres, before landing heavily).

The amazing thing was as I stood there stopping people chasing it while my wife went to get a box the bird actually tried to hobble towards me!.

We got it into a box lined with my hoodie and took it by taxi to the nearest rescue centre. In the taxi the bird kept poking his head out looking around, all very calm not trying to get away at all. It's eyes were so clear and apart from it's leg looked in good health (although was very small). My wife phoned up the rescue centre today and was told that apparently the break was in several places and was also very high up so would not heal. They have put the poor bird down. I just wish I'd done more for the bird. Maybe taken him to a vet and paid whatever it took.

If anyone has advice what we should have done it'd be really appreciated as we dont want another bird oput to slep if theres no need to.

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for trying to help, I'm sorry the bird was put down.

We do have some UK members that have resources in various areas, let me alert them.

[John_D]

Hi

Well done for trying to help the pigeon.

Indeed, the RSPCA and a lot of wildlife places are not interested and will mostly put them down.

Some vets will treat pigeons, but it's finding one who is knowledgeable about birds, or better still a specialized avian vet. We have a 'pets at home' branch where they will treat pigeons - they aren't pigeon experts, but they are willing to help and take an interest.

We will try to deal with pigeons (and woodpigeons and doves) ourselves where possible, though our aviary is now full of rescues, so it is more difficult now. Whether it is advisable really depends on what the problem appears to be, and how familiar one is with pigeons or dealing with other birds.

Whether there are any pigeon-friendly rescuers near you depends where you are located. It is possible.

John

[cheekytheo]

We are in Gloucestershire. In future we'd be happy to bring the pigeons home and do first aid type treatment. Does anyone have a link to what to feed them, where we can get pain killers for them, antibiotics etc?

We'd like to have a kit ready to help them in case we come across other birds in need of help, anyone got any suggestions of what we should put in this kit? What food, medical supplies etc.

I think we are going to ring round the local vets to find the ones that are able to treat pigeons so we know which ones to go to if we do come across other injured pigeons.

[amyable]

Hi Cheekytheo,

I know there is a wildlife rescue place in Gloucestershire, can't remember the name at present. I have spoken to them in the past and unfortunately they said if a bird was injured they would PTS. They did give me some advice over the phone though as to how to help an injured bird, that was before i found this forum. It maybe where you took your pigeon.
It is hard to find help so I'm glad you're going to try and do your own bit to help any others you find first. I'll give it some thought and give you some ideas as to what would be useful tomorrow. Hopefully some others will be able to give you some pointers aswell.

I did look on the internet and found a few addresses of vets that deal with birds and was successful in finding one to help me. I do have to pay as if it is a pet unfortunately, but only go if it is urgent and not able to deal with it myself.

Medication is a problem in the uk but again if you find a sympathetic vet they will prescribe meds if needed specifically.

Janet