Orphan Baby Dove

Nala

I found a baby dove in college yesterday that had fallen out of the nest, I couldn't leave it there because it was beside the footpath outside a lecture theater in a very busy part of the college, there's people coming and going the whole time so the mother wouldn't be able to come down and feed him. There's also cats and dogs roaming around.
I brought him to the vet and had the option of either taking him home and hand rearing him or having him put to sleep, I don't like to see a healthy animal put down so I've been looking after him since. Unfortunately I don't think I can give him the care he needs, he needs feeding 3-4 times per day and I have a lot of work to do for my exams in a couple of weeks, I also have no experience with handrearing birds, though I have a budgie and a cockatiel so I have some knowledge of birds. I'm looking for a wildlife sanctuary or similar that could look after him better than I can. Does anyone know of any in the Dublin/Kildare/Meath area that would take him in? I would rather he didn't become a domestic pet, he's a wild animal and that's how he should stay.

Delerium

Hi Neev

There is a vet in Bray called Barbara O'Mally I think, she is very good with birds. She might know of somewhere he can go.

Actually there's an animal sanctuary in Collon, Drogheda that has lots of birds. They take in rescued animals and they also sell lots of parrots, etc. The lady I have spoken to there is really nice, and they get hand reared birds all the time from breeders.

So maybe they would take him in or ask one of the breeders.

I have raised many little doves in the past, they are lovely little things, but unfortunatley I also have to work during the day......

Here's the link to the Collon Animal Sanctuary:
http://gofree.indigo.ie/~wicca/Collon/

Good luck and let me know if you need any help with him or anything

Alun

Hi,

I second that ... give Bairbre O'Malley in Bray a buzz on 01-2723857. She specialises in 'exotics', i.e. everything outside of the normal cat/dog/rabbit spectrum especially birds including parrots etc.

Nala

*UPDATE*
After ringing round about 9 sanctuaries, the Kildare SPCA have kindly taken him in! They have a girl there who specialises in handrearing wildlife so he will get the care and attention he deserves, and hopefully one day be a wild dove living as nature intended.