By Elizabeth Young | Founder, Executive Director
While the seasons of the year seem to change ever more quickly, some things change much more slowly. But they do change. We have seen such a profound increase in pigeon awareness these past 17 years! There are so many more pigeon rescues and sanctuaries and advocates than there used to be. So many more people involved in pigeon rescue. So many social media superstar pigeons! I know we still have far, far to go in our mission to raise awareness and save lives but the progress being made is indisputable. And it is heartening. When we first started our pigeon rescue, shelters told us that pigeons were "unadoptable". Thousands of adopted pigeons living their best lives in loving forever homes (as companions, not stock) have smashed that notion. Here are a few updates that I know you'll be glad to see.
Calendars We celebrate these amazing birds all year long. Palomacy is honored to present our 2025 Wall Calendar! Much has changed since the first issue was published in 2013- our name from MickaCoo to Palomacy; our calendar team has tripled in size from one to three; the birds showcased and the photographers contributing have changed over the years; our look has shifted from colorful to elegant; the graphic design from primitive to sophisticated; but our cause never wavers- to inspire life-saving help for pigeons and doves. Is there anyone out there (besides me) who has all 13 years? What an epic collection of beauty and understanding! Such a huge flock of beloved birds photographed and their stories shared, celebrated, honored. But that's enough looking back, here's to the future. Palomacy wishes you and yours a truly wonderful 2025. Congratulations to the photographers whose images were selected, with great difficulty from among 336 submissions. See everything and order yours at the link below.
Volunteering Palomacy people know that it takes a surprisingly big, incredibly dedicated and generous flock of volunteers to do all the rescuing, healing, rehoming, educating, coaching, and caring that we do to help so many birds! There are lots of superheroes in our flock, and then there are a few extra, extra-super supporters who go even further above and beyond! Whether you know Heather Hohlowski personally or not, you have been supported by her many incredible contributions. She has been with us from the very beginning, 17 years ago. Do you love our logo? Heather created it! And our MickaCoo logo before that. Is your heart warmed when volunteers foster abandoned pigeons waiting for their forever homes? When rescued birds are lovingly cared for every single day, fed and watered, their aviaries cleaned, their conditions monitored, their injuries treated and medications administered (not to mention the 65 miles each way trips to the vet) and supported in every way all the way to their forever home? Heather has been doing all of that for years for her own fostered pigeons as well as a couple of years for our communal flock at Ploughshares Nursery aviary in Alameda. And she created our How to Welcome Pigeons Into Your Life and our Ploughshares Aviary handbooks too. And and and... Honoring Hero Heather continues at the link below.
Pigeon PR This article is awesome: "Pigeons Deserve Better! Trust me. I fed one." By Anna Mclean, Reprinted from the Michigan Daily. Pigeons: we know them, but do we love them? Historically yes, Currently, no. In the 21st century, pigeons are colloquially referred to as "the rats of the sky," "trash birds" and, most fondly, "damn nuisances." Sitting on a park bench in the heart of Rome this summer, I found myself unable to look away from the small, gray birds that sat mere feet away from me, ruffling their feathers in the rain and looking for their next snack. Read on to see where this goes at the link below.
Coming Soon Please mark your calendar and set a reminder to support Palomacy with a GivingTuesday donation on Monday, December 2nd at 9 PM PT. Donations up to $1,800 will earn a much needed bonus match. The more given, the higher the match. And get ready to indulge all your pigeon and dove love with our Pigeons on the Shelf Auction in December! More details will follow soon.
Thank you all for everything you do with so much compassion and love.
Elizabeth
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