HAPPY PIGEON APPRECIATION DAY!!
The purpose of Pigeon Appreciation Day is to spread the word that pigeons are wonderful birds that don’t deserve the dislike and hatred they often receive.
Pigeons are amazing. I could list down all the amazing things they can do and have done - such as saving peoples lives in WWI and WWII. Thirty-two pigeons received the PDSA Dickin Medal for their life-saving action in conflict! - but I believe the list would go on and on since there are so many wonderful things about pigeons.
Don’t believe me? Well have a look at the videos of our two disabled pigeons, Elmo and Georgie, and see how lovely pigeons are: www.youtube.com/PigeonsAsPets
So please don’t dismiss the humble feral pigeon. They are intelligent, caring, and loyal birds. They are also full of character – as anyone who has had close contact with a tame pigeon will testify!
There are many, many people around the world who, through rescuing an injured or orphaned pigeon, now have a wonderful companion living by their side. We, at Pigeons as Pets, have personally received emails from many of these people telling us their story and sharing photos and videos of their pet pigeons. We feel privaleged to see into their world.
I believe that by celebrating pigeons on this day every year for years to come we all will help dispel the myth that pigeons are dirty and diseased. Humans once loved pigeons – they were used for food and as messangers, and their faeces were highly prized as fertiliser – and I think we will learn to love pigeons once again! (But hopefully not to use them for food anymore.)
A good way to show your appreciation is to support a pigeon-friendly charity, sanctuary or organisation. Here are a some suggestions:
- Folly Wildlife Rescue in Kent, UK
- Wing and a Prayer Bird Haven in Norfolk, UK
- MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA
- Wild Bird Fund in New York, USA
- Pandemonium Aviaries in Los Altos, California, USA
Last year there were many posts about Pigeon Appreciation Day, so I think we need to keep up with the good publicity and promote pigeons!!
- How to celebrate National Pigeon Appreciation Day at Time Out London blog
- Happy Pigeon Day by Ragpets
- National Pigeon Appreciation Day at Who’s Jack
- National Pigeon Day Celebrations by Brian Pigeon
- Pulp Fiction Pigeon Tribute at The Pigeon Movie Database
Our previous years posts: www.pigeonsaspets.co.uk/category/pigeon-appreciation-day
Finally, Elmo and Georgie both want to thank you for all the suppport and love!! It is so nice to hear from you, especially when you share photos and videos of your wonderful pigeons!
I can vouch for MickaCoo over here on the USA side of “the pond.” It’s a wonderful, conscientious, effective, and joyful organization. Volunteers do a combination of public education and placement of non-releasable pigeons in non-breeding non-hunting homes. Thank you, dear Georgie and Elmo, for the shout out! Happy International Pigeon Appreciation Day, one and all!
Hello Christiana, thank you for commenting. It’s my pleasure to promote MickaCoo. I’ve read such wonderful things about them and try to point people to them for adoptions. Have a lovely day!!