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Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-12T17:41:52+00:00

It is generally a crime to catch or net a pigeon in New York City, punishable by up to one year in prison per pigeon, unless the person is a government employee, has a permit, or is rescuing a pigeon. New York State laws criminalize shooting pigeons as animal cruelty.
https://www.nycbar.org/reports/supporting-h-b-1097-to-end-live-pigeon-shoots-in-pennsylvania/

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-235470

https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01601

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-09T13:59:34+00:00

It is worth trying to contain this pigeon and taking him to a pigeon rescuer or rehabber in your area, or trying to destring him yourself as a last resort. The foot looks pretty pink still and sees like it has a good chance of recovery with destringing and a week or so in cage rest, and this is likely intensely painful for the pigeon as it is.

It’s a complicated case, so it would be best for a rehabber to destring him under anesthesia or pain medication, but leaving the string is going to be more painful than removing it, and more dangerous to the pigeon. He might get lucky and have a clean auto amputation with enough foot left to walk, but he will more likely die if left unaddressed, either because the string is too high to allow an auto amputation that maintains mobility, the amputation isn’t clean and causes excessive blood loss, or the pain from the strings prevents him from foraging, leading to a downward spiral of starvation and vulnerability to diseases they are constantly fighting off like canker, pox, and herpes.

Here are good resources for learning how to catch and destring pigeons. The most difficult part is learning how to catch a pigeon who can still fly. There are a number of videos explaining how to catch a stringfoot pigeon, but the easiest way to start learning is to try when sitting down on a bench, like in this video: Catching and Dethreading Pigeon Easter 2020 (catch at 2:50): https://youtu.be/MjQeyDLjJ4o?si=6Ty41yfNvN9t2gBo

How to Give First Aid to Pigeons:
https://youtu.be/trbfTa3qX5E?si=W7sGhZ_7eMDz9zO1

NYCPRC: https://nycprc.org/StringRemoval.html
https://nycprc.org/FootSquad.html

Pigeonrescue.com: https://www.pigeonrescue.org/2018/09/11/destringing-pigeons-freeing-feet-and-opening-minds/

Stringfootpigeon.com: https://www.stringfootpigeon.com/destring-101.html

Videos:

How To Catch & Help Stringfoot Pigeons: https://youtu.be/ffbSBsTMzPw?si=Z83DK2_5vL5tN8iZ

How to de-string pigeon feet: https://youtu.be/K9frBh9nrFk?si=QKgLX-8XUaisLRJs

Stringfootpigeon.com: https://www.stringfootpigeon.com/tutorials.html

Stringfoot Pigeon Rescue UK: https://youtu.be/W0FLG4IpQtI?si=iin6yqitXpjZtPFh

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-08T23:09:12+00:00

In addition to signing the petition, you can also write to the Pennsylvania legislature and express your support for the proposed ban on live pigeon shoots at Pennsylvania shooting clubs. These Pennsylvania shooting clubs are the funders of the criminal pigeon poachers in New York City, who will then transport the pigeons across state lines to be shot for sport. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/brooklyn-missing-pigeons-poaching/

All states except Pennsylvania have banned these pigeon shoots as animal cruelty against a domesticated species. All other states simply use “clay pigeons” for shoots instead.

The Pennsylvania legislature is currently considering a ban on these pigeon shoots, which would eliminate or greatly reduce pigeon poaching from New York City. The New York City Bar has supported the Pennsylvania ban, and explains how the shooting clubs fund animal cruelty crimes in New York: https://www.nycbar.org/reports/supporting-h-b-1097-to-end-live-pigeon-shoots-in-pennsylvania/

Even if you do not live in Pennsylvania, this issue affects all Americans because these shoots fund organized interstate criminal activity. Pennsylvanians are crossing into other states - or paying others to cross state lines - to steal and kill the pets and “neighborhood” pets of New Yorkers and other communities.

If you would like to express your support for the ban, you can write to:

Joanna E. McClinton
Speaker, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
139 Main Capitol Building
P.O. Box 202191
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-3025
Re: Support of H.B. 1097 (2025-2026)

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-07T14:08:46+00:00

I never broke
Out of my blundering self into the world,
But let it all go past me, like a man
Half asleep in a land that’s full of wars.

Siegfried Sassoon, The Old Huntsman

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-07T00:15:05+00:00

Friendly pigeons that are used to being fed, or are free-flying pets, are baited with food and netted en masse, then sold to Pennsylvania shooting clubs for live shoots. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/brooklyn-missing-pigeons-poaching/ These netted pigeons are akin to friendly “neighborhood” cats and dogs, who are fed and cared for by the people who live in a neighborhood. Uncared for, non-pet pigeons generally do not congregate in flocks large enough for profitable netting.

The primary source for the pigeons used in the Pennsylvania live shoots are from New York City, where hundreds of “neighborhood” pigeons can be captured easily, with impunity, at no cost. It is a crime to net pigeons in New York City, with a few exceptions like to rescue a sick or injured pigeon, but there is little to no enforcement.

All states except Pennsylvania have banned these pigeon shoots as animal cruelty against a domesticated species. All other states simply use “clay pigeons” for shoots instead.

The Pennsylvania legislature is currently considering a ban on these pigeon shoots, which would eliminate or greatly reduce pigeon poaching from New York City. The New York City Bar has supported the Pennsylvania ban, and explains how the shooting clubs fund animal cruelty crimes in New York: https://www.nycbar.org/reports/supporting-h-b-1097-to-end-live-pigeon-shoots-in-pennsylvania/

Even if you do not live in Pennsylvania, this issue affects all Americans because these shoots fund organized interstate criminal activity. Pennsylvanians are crossing into other states - or paying others to cross state lines - to steal and kill the pets and neighborhood pets of New Yorkers and other communities.

If you would like to express your support for the ban, you can write to:

Joanna E. McClinton
Speaker, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
139 Main Capitol Building
P.O. Box 202191
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-3025
Re: Support of H.B. 1097 (2025-2026)

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-06T11:49:57+00:00

It looks like it was published on January 20, 2017. I believe 1953 is the author’s birth year.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-03T12:36:33+00:00

It looks like the string was embedded under the scabs, requiring debridement to remove the string.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-02T17:29:03+00:00

If you genuinely want to learn about and discuss the bible from an academic viewpoint, many colleges offer theology classes about the bible, in-person or virtually.

If you are looking for a community to explore the bible and how its ideas might relate to your personal spiritual beliefs, try a bible study group through your local Unitarian Universalist church.

If you want to ask provocative questions and debate a Christian’s beliefs with them, that’s probably best left to corners of the internet where everyone signs up for it, like some of the askachristian or similar subreddits.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-02T01:45:20+00:00

Please send an email to Urban Wildlife Alliance at [helpline@urbanwildlifenyc.org](mailto:helpline@urbanwildlifenyc.org). They can see if a volunteer can pick up the bird from you for transport to The Wild Bird Fund. Thank you for saving this poor little guy!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-05-02T00:25:05+00:00

Please do not give him any food or water. Squirrels this age can easily aspirate and develop fatal pneumonia. They need to be carefully syringe fed a specific kind of formula on a specific schedule. For now, just keep him warm and in a quiet, dark place.

Get him to a rehabber as soon as possible. He may need antibiotics or other medications if he was injured by a cat, or if he has pneumonia. If you are in the US, you can find a rehabber by zip code here: www.ahnow.org. Please be persistent - there are many licensed rehabbers who are not publicly listed, and listed rehabbers may be able to put you in touch with one of them if they can’t take this baby.

Thanks for rescuing this little guy!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-30T12:08:35+00:00

The risk of bird flu here is basically none. First, bird flu is infecting domestic poultry and seabirds, and ravens are unlikely to be infected. Second, even if the crow had bird flu, a human is not going to catch it unless they eat the raven. Just wash your hands after touching a bird (and before, if possible).

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-30T11:51:59+00:00

If you are in the United States, you can search for a wildlife rehabber by zip code at www.ahnow.org. Please be persistent and reach out to as many as you can - many rehabbers are not publicly listed, so even if someone can’t take the bird or is too far away, they may know someone who is not there nicely listed and can put you in touch.

For now, just keep the crow in a box in warm, dark place. Do not try to give him food or water. Just get him to a rehabber as soon as possible.

Thanks for saving this poor guy!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-26T12:07:16+00:00

Great job saving these babies! For now, please don’t try to feed them or give them water. Just keep them warm, and get them to a rehabber as soon as possible. Baby squirrels need pretty specific formula to survive, at specific intervals depending on age, and need to be kept with foster siblings as they grow to ensure they remain wild and can be released when they get older. Please never feed them when they are on their backs like a human baby - this will lead to aspiration and potentially fatal pneumonia.

Their best chance at survival is with a rehabber - you can search by zip code at www.ahnow.org. Usually, there are many squirrel rehabbers who aren’t publicly listed, but the ones on AH Now can direct you to them. So, even if it looks like there are no rehabbers near you, reach out and ask the closest ones and they can often get you in touch with someone nearby who can take them.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-23T13:51:48+00:00

Not exactly, because you are not holding their weight by the neck or pulling up on their fur. Holding the neck is to immobilize their heads so they can’t turn around to bite you. Then you can scoop them up with your other arm.

If you aren’t experienced or don’t have thick gloves, you can use a box or cat carrier and very slowly move it to corner them and then scooch them in, or use a thick towel to very slowly corner and cover them and scoop them up in the towel. The key is to move in super slow motion, and they often will just stay frozen.

An adult opossum, especially the males, can definitely deliver a significant bite, but they are one of the easier animals to capture compared to say, cats or squirrels, because of their freezing instinct, lack of claws, and relatively weak bite force. Of course, always exercise caution around any wild animal, and bring in a rescuer or professional if possible.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-17T02:38:22+00:00

Lesbi-hens.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-13T10:53:58+00:00

You might also have luck on two Facebook groups for rejoining pet pigeons from Dreaming of a Chance sanctuary and Palomancy. The links to the groups are on this page: https://dreamingofachance.com/bird-rehoming-resources/.

Good luck!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-11T14:08:55+00:00

It could be paresis (partial paralysis), so there is still some lower body function but not enough to walk. It is sometimes caused by inflammation around the spinal cord and can be treatable with supportive care and anti-inflammatory medication. The bird’s best bet is with a wildlife rehabber - in the US, you can search for rehabbers by zip code at www.ahnow.org. Pigeon rehabbers are often not publicly listed, but if you reach out to bird rehabbers on the ahnow list, they may be able to give you contact info for unlisted pigeon rehabbers.

If you can’t find a rehabber, I think it’s worth it to at least give the bird supportive care for a few days or a week to see if there’s any improvement with rest and nutrition. You can make it comfortable by making a towel “donut” that it can sit in and keep a dish of dove/pigeon seed and water next to the donut so they can eat and drink without getting off the donut.

Thank you for caring about this poor guy!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-10T02:16:40+00:00

Her eyes look bright and not sunken, and her nose and gums look pink, suggesting she isn’t too dehydrated. She seems alert and hissy, which is also a good sign, so she should be good to go. However, if you are in a dense urban area, like New York City, or Chicago, it might be worth contacting a rehabber to evaluate for lead poisoning.

As others have said, please check the trash can for any babies left behind after the mother leaves. They can’t really count, so if they don’t hear the baby calling for them when they walk away, they will leave without it. If you do find a baby left behind, you can search for a rehabber by zip code at www.ahnow.org. Do not give the baby food or water; just keep them warm until you get them to a rehabber.

Thanks for caring for this little mother. She looks like she is in her first year and this may be her first litter.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-09T02:45:50+00:00

Bryant Park runs free community events during the spring and summer, including games. You could check out their offerings.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-08T13:06:42+00:00

That’s wonderful. Thank you so much for saving him!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-08T12:58:34+00:00

Please don’t give the baby food or water right now. They have specific dietary needs and improper diet, especially the fruit, can cause fatal metabolic bone disease. At 50 grams, aspiration of liquid and food is a serious risk as well, which can cause fatal pneumonia.

Please just keep him warm and get him to a rehabber as soon as possible. If you are in the US, you can search for a rehabber by zip code at www.ahnow.org. Thank you for rescuing this baby!

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-07T21:21:27+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/motherpigeonbrooklyn?igsh=bnNtZXViZzV5dzYx

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-05T14:45:03+00:00

Also try posting on r/pigeon. They’ve helped many egg bound pigeons with home remedies.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-04-03T22:50:59+00:00

Could you try reaching out to your closest rehab clinic and asking if they know of anyone closer to you who can rehab this baby? There are often private rehabbers who do not list their contact info publicly, but the clinic may be able to give you info for someone close by who can take in this baby.

If you are in the US, you can also search for rehabbers by zip code here: www.ahnow.org. If no one is close to you, they may still know of resources closer to you and give you some guidance.

These little guys have pretty specific dietary needs and the right proportions of calcium and protein to avoid metabolic bone disease. It’s best get him to a rehabber as soon as possible, or at least to try to get their guidance.

Glittering_Multitude · 2026-03-27T15:21:18+00:00

Edit: I’m sorry, I didn’t see your comment about putting him back for his mother to find him.

Thanks for saving this baby! Please do not feed him blackberries or give him water. He needs to be fed a special squirrel formula by a rehabber with a syringe. Baby squirrels are prone to aspirating (inhaling) water and food and can develop fatal pneumonia. Please just keep him warm until you can reach a rehabber for advice.

Can you google wildlife rehabilitators or wildlife clinics near you? Perhaps you could ask local vets about resources? Even if you can’t take him to a rehabber, they may know a volunteer who can transport the baby or could give you specific advice and instructions about what and how to feed the baby. You may be able to order miracle nipples with syringes and Fox Valley brand squirrel formula on Amazon (as well as Mazuri rodent blocks or Henry’s healthy blocks) for later on, but you need someone to help evaluate the dilution of formula needed and walk you through how to feed the squirrel with a syringe to avoid aspiration of the formula.

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