white pigeon found...need help

[poofan118]

hi, i volunteer at a shelter in indiana. well a white pigeon was picked up by animal control. sometimes they get racing pigeons in and let them rest a few days and then release them. this time it was a white pigeon with an orange plastic band on it's leg. problem being is there are no numbers or anything on the band. i was wondering how to go about finding it's owner. i've been told there is someone in town who has white pigeons or doves and they don't take care of them. meaning animal control has been out there. i gave it some seed and water and will get it something to perch on tomarrow. i have parrots and don't know about the need for grit ect. i guess they will release it in a day or two but i'm worried that it won't or can't go home. also it might live in the undersirable place and be better off somewhere else. does it sound like i would take it home...you bet. i've never heard of a plain orange band so it must be for inaviary identification. if it was released for a wedding or something like that wouldn't it follow it's flock to it's home. it's very tame holding it in your hand...but didn't really like me reaching for it. it seems on the large size. i've read more about pigeons and doves tonight then i ever thought possible. LOL. but i think the best part about them is they don't bite like parrots can and will do. we have 5 of them. a mulaccan cockatoo, 2 african greys, a mini macaw and a quaker. and fostering a love bird. all but one has either been given to us or come through the shelter. anyway i have redicovered pigeons and i am really enjoying it. well thoughts on food and the plain band would be helpful. thanks for listening. good night for now. laurie

[AZWhitefeather]

Hello Laurie & welcome to pigeons.com

Many thanks for your concern on the welfare of this sweet pigeon.
Please ask that he not be released. Generaly, white pigeons are not as 'street smart' as our common pigeons & are more likely to be caught by a predator, whether it be animal or human.
It would be wonderful if you could take him home. Pigeons make wonderful pets.

i was wondering how to go about finding it's owner.
Without any type of identification or unusual markings that an owner could identify the pigeon by, it's highly unlikely the owner will be found.
If the pigeon has a band without any identification, would indicate to me the owner really wasn't interested in having him returned.

i've been told there is someone in town who has white pigeons or doves and they don't take care of them. meaning animal control has been out there
This would be all the more reason I wouldn't release the pigeon.

Please do keep us posted.

Cindy

[poofan118]

hi there, one of the board members of the shelter said "it's a pigeon let it go!!" well i can't! i'm so mad about this. i'm going to tell them that i'll take it home. i'll get it tomarrow. one of the shelter workers said she also read that white pigeons shouldn't just be let loose. but then the board member said that... like she stayed up half the night researchering it like i did. i'm so upset with this situation. my roommate is the shelter manager and i do a lot of grooming for them. she said we can just tell them that we'll bring it home. i'll go check out the people in the area that have white pigeons and make a decision on my own on if i should return it or place it somewhere else or just keep it. i'm so tempted to print the shelter address and have all of you respond to this board member. i guess if we can handle it quietly that would be best for all. ( but boy howdy it's hard not to yell and scream!!!). i'll let you know how it goes. the only place i have to isolate it is on the back porch. it's not ideal but i'll make it work somehow. i don't want to give my other 5 parrots something contagious. i'm so frustrated but will stand firm on this one! of course any moral support is appreciated. if only everone would just take care of their animals and be responsible... laurie

[Lin Hansen]

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for trying to help this pigeon. I know you are upset with the board member of your shelter, but believe me, the attitude is not unusual. I don't know why....maybe because there are so many of them around, people seem to consider pigeons "disposable." Many shelters and rehab places will not accept them and many vets are reluctant to help them even if you are willing to pay! It is a shame because they are such lovely birds and deserve the same chance for treatment and for life as any of the other more "prized" birds, as far as I am concerned. It is so nice of you to take an interest and try to help this story have a happy ending.

Good luck,
Linda

[Lin Hansen]

Arty,

Thank you very much for the nice compliment....Your speech is just fine the way it is---your love, warmth and caring always shows in every word.

Thanks again,
Linda

[ZigZagMarquis]

Originally Posted by poofan118

hi there, one of the board members of the shelter said "it's a pigeon let it go!!" well i can't! i'm so mad about this. i'm going to tell them that i'll take it home. i'll get it tomarrow. one of the shelter workers said she also read that white pigeons shouldn't just be let loose. but then the board member said that... like she stayed up half the night researchering it like i did. i'm so upset with this situation. my roommate is the shelter manager and i do a lot of grooming for them. she said we can just tell them that we'll bring it home. i'll go check out the people in the area that have white pigeons and make a decision on my own on if i should return it or place it somewhere else or just keep it. i'm so tempted to print the shelter address and have all of you respond to this board member. i guess if we can handle it quietly that would be best for all. ( but boy howdy it's hard not to yell and scream!!!). i'll let you know how it goes. the only place i have to isolate it is on the back porch. it's not ideal but i'll make it work somehow. i don't want to give my other 5 parrots something contagious. i'm so frustrated but will stand firm on this one! of course any moral support is appreciated. if only everone would just take care of their animals and be responsible... laurie

Poof,

Where again are you located at? If you cannot find the little guy's (or gal's) owner, would you be willing to adopt him out... that is if you don't want to keep him yourself.

[poofan118]

hello zigzag, well i'm in kokomo, indiana. i would let the bird go to someone better able to care for it. i would also be willing to drive to meet someone. i just want what's best for this bird. thanks laurie