ANIMAL WELFARE ALERTS



For the past two years The McDonald Family Animal Rescue has been rescuing, rehabilitating and either releasing or offering sanctuary to feral pigeons in the Edmonton area. With the help of pigeon lover Dr.Steele at the Southside Animal Hospital, we have offered medical care to one of the most disregarded wild animals to call our country home. 


There are no other rescues in the Edmonton area that accepts both domestic and feral pigeons and doesn't euthanize them. We strongly believe that all animals deserve the same level of respect and care no matter the species. Pigeons have an undeserved bad reputation and are mistreated severely by the average citizen. Every year, thousands of pigeons fall victim to humans who set out to poison, trap and abuse them; fledglings are thrown from their nests by irritated business owners whose awnings some pigeons call home and left to die on the sidewalk. Adults foraging for food on the sidewalk are kicked by passers-by. Corn is laced with poison causing prolonged, painful deaths.


We currently have a flock of seven pigeons that were unable to be released. They all have different stories; some are victims of car/pigeon collisions, a couple came to us as fledglings whose parents had been poisoned.  One was rescued from an auction where she was going to be given away for use as a training tool for hunting dogs. All would have faced certain death if they hadn’t been brought to us. Dr.Steele is equally concerned about the welfare of pigeons and often has a few in the back of the clinic being treated at her own expense. She treats all of our feral friends with the same love and care that she displays with all of the animals we bring her.


Our pigeons currently live in a 10’x6’x6’ aviary in our yard. They are not allowed to reproduce; we replace their eggs with plastic ones to keep them from overlaying. If we just took their eggs away, they would continue to lay and deplete their calcium levels. Controlling their population is important; if we allowed them to breed, we would quickly run out of space for new pigeons that need our help.


If you have or know of a pigeon in need of rescue, don't hesitate to contact us!

 

 


Chief, Stahl and Robert were all found on the same weekend and brought by concerned individuals to the Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair where they were surrendered to The McDonald Family Animal Rescue in hopes that they could be helped.


Chief suffered an accident that lead to the loss of his flight feathers but otherwise he is in good condition! He just needs time to regrow his feathers. Once he can fly properly, he'll be introduced to our outdoor aviary and then released in the spring.


Stahl and Robert were found under a bridge on a busy road during a rainstorm. They were very thin and lethargic when they arrived and were handfed baby bird formula for the first few days they were here. They were introduced to Chief who protects them and even occasionally feeds them! They've gotten a lot stronger and get bigger everyday. Once they are flying they will be introduced to the outdoor aviary and then released with Chief in the spring.

 





Francis was found on the road by a concerned individual who brought him to The McDonald Family Animal Rescue knowing we would care for his medical needs. He just needed some time to heal a sore wing and regrow some feathers. After a recovery period in a small enclosure and some time to regain his strength and flight skills with our resident flock, he was released in an area with a very large and healthy pigeon population.  After sitting atop an electrical wire for a few minutes and surveying the area, Francis joined a flock of over a hundred birds to work his way into a new family and a new life! Congratulations, Francis!