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Original poster

Quick advice needed please on a pigeon

69 replies

WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:09

There is a pigeon in my garden at the moment that I'm sure has a broken wing.

Is there anyone I can ring that will come out and help him?

As a side note someone would have to come out and get him as I'm absolutely terrified of birds and pigeons being my main fear

OP posts:
biscuitbadger · 12/09/2019 18:13

This happened to us a few years ago. We couldn't find anyone interested in helping, and we really did try. Then a couple of days later it died and we had to have a funeral for it...

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:15

biscuitbadger that is so sad. Although I'm terrified if the things I don't want it to die. I also have a dog so i cant let him out until the pigeon has vacated as I'm sure he would kill it

OP posts:
Socksontheradiator · 12/09/2019 18:17

Ring a local vet and ask if there is a wildlife rescue in your area.

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Egghead68 · 12/09/2019 18:17

You could try Tiggywinkles if you are near them or the RSPCA. Good luck.

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:19

Thanks Socksontheradiator and Egghead68 I'll give them both a ring now.

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GoldenFlaps · 12/09/2019 18:21

IME the RSPCA won't come out unless you've caught it (or covered it with something that means it can't escape). You could try and see if there's any racing pigeon people in your area, they might be able to help/advise.

Socksontheradiator · 12/09/2019 18:22

Let us know how you and pigeon get on!

AwkwardPaws27 · 12/09/2019 18:25

Whereabouts are you? If you are in Romford I'll come get it. Otherwise Google wildlife rescue in your local area - some have volunteers who will collect injured animals.

issano · 12/09/2019 18:29

RSPCA won't do anything they will take the bird and let it die, I've rescued several over the last couple of years and my local vet will take them and operate at no cost to you (although did ask for a donation to an animal charity on each occasion).

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:31

I've rang the 2 local vets that we have in town and they wont/cant take it. Theyve given me a number for RSPCA so I'm just about to ring them. Fingers crossed they will come and rescue him for me. I've named him percy for the time being

OP posts:
Thymejuice · 12/09/2019 18:32

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/injured-and-baby-birds/if-you-find-an-injured-bird/

Here's RSPB advice if it's of any help. I once found an injured blackbird in the street. I took it to the local vet but understand you're scared. I have a phobia (not pigeons).

Agree with AwkwardPaws to Google local rescues but also you could try local Facebook?

LoseLooseLucy · 12/09/2019 18:34

The only place to go around here is the bird sanctuary (3 owls), the RSPCA have never done anything to help any injured bird I've found.

LuckyKitty13 · 12/09/2019 18:35

If it had a broken wing it will be euthanansed by the RSPCA or the vets. A wild bird with such an injury is likely to not recover well enough. I would ask a neighbour or friend to catch it and take it to the nearest vet and leave it at reception. Presented with a suffering animal they cannot refuse to euthanase it to end its suffering, or provide pain relief and find it a place at a wildlife centre. But they will euthanase in this instance.

Bunnybigears · 12/09/2019 18:37

In my experience RSPCA wont care and RSPB will care a little more but still probably not manage to get someone out to you. A little local wildlife rescue is your best bet. Failing that get someone to put it in a box and take it to the vets. They will just out it to sleep but it's better than it starving to death or being killed by a cat etc.

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:44

Well the RSPCA were no help what so ever. She (in a very roundabout way) told me that they were unable to help and its just a pigeon. I explained to her that it may just be a pigeon but it is clearly suffering and was I just meant to leave it to die. She then suggested that I could catch it and take it to a centre that could help it but the centre is about 1hr away by car and the pigeon would probably not survive being caught and then the journey in a box. The vets in town are now shut and our closest emergency vets is 30 mins away. I think I'm going to have to be brave and try and catch percy and try to get him to the emergency vets (as it's a shorter journey) and hope he survives.

OP posts:
LoseLooseLucy · 12/09/2019 18:46

I hate the RSPCA 😬

Frith2013 · 12/09/2019 18:48

I’d let the dog out and it would have an extremely quick, clean death.

Far less stressful than the RSPCA picking it up then injecting it to kill it instead.

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:48

@LoseLooseLucy so do I in this instance, I've never had any involvement with them before. Poor percy pigeon I'm really worried that by me trying to catch him will give him (and me) a heart attack

OP posts:
Frith2013 · 12/09/2019 18:49

Just seen your update. Definitely the dog rather than the stress of a car journey.

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:50

@Frith2013 I mean I could let the dog out and I know he would kill it but surely that's a horrible way to die. And I would feel so guilty

OP posts:
Frith2013 · 12/09/2019 18:51

If you do want to catch it, they can’t see well in the dark so it’ll be much easier then. Though i understand it’ll be poor timing to see a vet.

LoseLooseLucy · 12/09/2019 18:51

Aww it's an awful predicament for you OP, good on you for caring enough to try and help though Sad

Loz90333 · 12/09/2019 18:51

OP we had the same thing with a pigeon in our garden. You can catch it by throwing a towel over it and then swooping it up. On the slim chance your based in Surrey, you can take it to Wildlife Aid in Leatherhead.

Frith2013 · 12/09/2019 18:53

Sorry to be blunt but a dog will grab it and shake it. They don’t “play” in the horrible way cats do with their catches.

Original poster
WhenEnoughIsEnough · 12/09/2019 18:53

Unfortunately I live in a little market town in the fens which is quite rural so we have no good links around here.

OP posts: