This is Moose. Also known as Mufasa Pidj, Big Buddy and The Sheriff. His favorite snack is spray millet. His favorite album is Crazy Heart, which he likes to listen to on car rides. He is the peacekeeper among my beloved flock of rescued domestic pigeons.

Moose began showing signs of illness in September 2020, but only now we have discovered that he has mycobacteria genavense. This disease is rare in pigeons and difficult to diagnose. Given its latency period, Moose has been battling it for many years without telling anyone.

Mycobacteriosis is an infectious disease that is time consuming and very expensive to treat. It requires 3 medicines to be given daily for a year and a half. Even then there is no guarantee of success. Because of this, many owners choose to euthanize. I have decided to give Moose - and any other birds in my flock who may end up positive - every chance to beat this. Right now Moose is only showing minor symptoms, so we caught it earlier than most.

X-rays, blood tests, CT scan and other testing of Moose, plus mycobacteria tests for the rest of my 11 birds (all are negative right now) have totaled close to $4000. This includes deep discounts that were very kindly extended to me. Moose's treatment, including the special probiotics that are needed alongside it, cost $140 a month for the next 18 months. He and the flock will also need routine examinations and testing and he will eventually need at least one more CT scan. I do keep a bird medical fund, but at this point it is completely gone.

All donations received will go toward Moose's medicine and any other vet checks/tests that are needed. Should something occur where there is money left over, it will be split evenly and donated to Palomacy and Avian Underdogs, both of which are amazing pigeon rescues at which I volunteer.

Moose has beat the odds before. He survived being dumped and left to fend for himself, even though he does not have the survival skills to do so. He was found by a good Samaritan who took the time to bring him to a rescue. Then, he was adopted into a forever home. He is a tough bird with good luck and I am hopeful that he can beat the odds again. I am grateful for any contribution to help him do that, no matter the size. Thank you.