Little Squab
Why is it that it’s always labouring workmen or lorry drivers who seem to be on hand to rescue and care for animals and birds in distress? Diana recently got a call from builders working at the Granville Hotel, Ilfracombe…
On a day of cold, heavy rain, the builders had found a broken nest with a tiny squab (baby pigeon) in it. The tiny bird was still un-feathered and very cold so they rang a leading animal welfare charity. The response? Sadly, the charity told them there was nothing it could do – and gave a good impression of being uninterested.
No welcome at the vet’s
Taking the little bird’s safety into their own hands, the builders decided to take the squab up to a veterinary practice three miles away. On arrival, they were told the practice couldn’t take the bird because of the risk of bird flu! (Though there’s no bird flu in North Devon or anywhere within a more than 50 mile radius.) Instead, the builders were told to take the squab and put it back where they found it – even though the nest had been destroyed and the whole area was a building site.
A warm welcome from the NDAA
By now even more determined to look after the creature, the kindly builders decided to keep it safe and warm overnight. Eventually, they contacted the NDAA where “little squab” was given a warm welcome and a good feed and set on the way to eventual recovery and continued growth in the NDAA aviary.
Our grateful thanks go to the builders for services above and beyond the call of duty. We’re disappointed that, given the lads’ efforts to assist this bird, animal treatment and welfare professionals were so unwilling to help them.
Not a good message to kindly members of public
Sadly, this isn’t the first case where animal welfare organisations have refused to assist members of the public – and we don’t feel it sends the right message to potential rescuers. Naturally, the NDAA will respond to a call at any time of day or night. Thank you again to all the kind people of North Devon who take the trouble to help creatures in distress.
