A bald move to help our feathered-friends

On May 19th I will be shaving my head to raise funds for York Stringfoot Pigeon Rescue (YSPR).

I set YSPR up in 2018 after destringing my first stringfoot pigeon, Donald. I noticed Donald appeared to have difficulty walking. I could see he had something caught around his feet but I struggled to catch him so I could remove whatever it was. Finally, after nearly two months of trying, I managed to get him! Unfortunately one toe was so badly injured by human hair it dropped off in my lap as I was destringing him. So, Donald came to stay with me while his foot healed. I decided I wanted to encourage other people to care for pigeons and I wanted to highlight the stringfoot issue, so YSPR was born.

The term ‘stringfoot’ is given to pigeons who have injured or missing digits/feet as a result of human hair, cotton, and general detritus becoming entangled around the pigeon’s foot. Over time, this cotton etc. tightens around the toes and feet, causing much pain to the pigeon; these injuries can even cause death.

Stringfoot pigeons are a common sight in our towns and cities. Many people think that pigeons are full of diseases and that's why their toes drop off. But this is not true.

Pigeons are often seen as a nuisance in our cities, but they play an important role in our ecosystem. They are known for their intelligence and can even recognise themselves in mirrors. However, their plight often goes unnoticed, and they are often subjected to cruelty and neglect.

I am so proud of how YSPR has grown over these last five years. From starting out with just a hand-full of members there's now over 1.3k members !

But as our group grows, we inevitably admit more and more patients which of course increases how much we spend on veterinary treatment and medications. Sadly the level of donations we currently receive doesn't cover anywhere near our outgoings. Our dedicated rehabbers work so hard at looking after the pigeons and they need our help financially so they can continue to help caring for the pigeons.

So, in order to raise awareness and funds for our feathered-friends and rehabbers, I have decided to shave off all of my hair and donate the proceeds to York Stringfoot Pigeon Rescue (YSPR).

By donating to YSPR, you will be supporting a cause that is often overlooked but desperately needs our attention. Your contribution will go towards providing veterinary treatment and buying medication for injured or abandoned pigeons, including stringfoot pigeons, as well as helping to educate the public on how to care for these amazing birds.

I understand that times are tough for many of us, and there are many other causes that need our support. However, I believe that every little bit helps, and even a small donation can make a big difference in the lives of these birds.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to your support.

Sam

YSPR Founder xx

https://www.facebook.com/groups/yorkpigeons