The Current Reality of Pigeon Rescue in Portugal

For over 6 years, I’ve been rescuing and rehabbing pigeons in Portugal. And I’m not saying this lightly, but there are maybe a handful of people here who do this seriously, and we’re all dealing with the same reality: there just isn’t enough space for unreleasable birds.

Pigeons here are living in terrible conditions, and the ones that can’t survive outside have almost nowhere to go. There are no proper sanctuaries, no real system, and almost no long-term solutions.

So even if you’re willing to take them in, you eventually hit a point where you physically can’t continue.

Finding Land That Actually Works

I’ve been looking for land for a long time and some point I kind of accepted that it might not happen, at least not anytime soon. And then I randomly found this plot.

10,000m² on the west coast, about 40 minutes from Lisbon. It’s private, quiet, and for the first time it actually feels like something real I can build on.

What This Sanctuary Is Meant to Solve

(and Why It Matters)

The idea is simple, but the impact isn’t. A proper pigeon sanctuary. Not just somewhere to put birds, but a space that actually works long-term. Somewhere unreleasable pigeons can live safely without being a constant capacity problem, and somewhere that supports ongoing rescue work instead of limiting it.

It’s also a place to show people what this work actually looks like, because a big part of the problem is that people don’t see it. If this becomes visible enough, it could push for better solutions on a larger scale, like managed lofts and real investment in pigeon welfare.

The First Step: Building Aviary No. 1

The first step is building the initial aviary — around 120 to 140 square meters, designed to safely house roughly 130 to 150 pigeons. That’s the foundation. Once that exists, everything else becomes easier to expand and structure properly.

Based on updated estimates, the cost for this first step is realistically between €8,000 and €10,000. I originally thought it would be less, but after speaking to multiple people, it’s clear that’s not realistic if it’s built properly.

How This Will Grow Over Time Beyond the First Aviary

Long-term, this won’t stay at one aviary. I want to expand it over time, build additional spaces, and make it possible for other rescuers in Portugal to place birds there when they’re out of options — which is something that happens constantly.

And eventually, I want to use the space for more than just housing animals. To create content, educate people, and maybe build a small setup where people can come, volunteer, or simply see what this work actually looks like.

What This Project Could Change Moving Forward

This is a real problem that just hasn’t been solved here yet. This is a way to start fixing it. It won’t happen overnight, but once the first structure is in place, it opens up what’s possible.

You can read the aviary construction cost overview doc here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JIry6UrU6D_rVV3XzWLTeHp8KRMhjcWAo-VqTlT3PVA/edit?usp=sharing

Any support, in any form, means a lot, and even if you don’t donate, you’re very welcome to follow along as this comes together.

With lots of love,

Sini / The Pigeon Post Club