This past week, Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) veterinarians performed surgeries on two colorful birds with colorful names, in an effort to fix lingering injuries and put them on a track towards finding forever homes.

In Boston, Neil Young, a beautiful 10-15-year-old cockatiel, was suffering from a leg band that had embedded into the bird’s skin. Adding further irritation to the cockatiel, a significant amount of debris was found underneath the band.

ARL’s shelter veterinary staff surgically removed the band, cleaned the wound underneath, and is healing nicely. Unfortunately Neil Young does appear to have permanent nerve damage to the foot, but is able to compensate without issue and is now ready to find his forever home! UPDATE — Neil Young is adopted and has left the building! 

In Dedham, Sir Ellington, a one-year-old white pigeon, was found as a stray in Dorchester. He was covered in black oil, and after removing the oil from his feathers, it was noted that he was not perching normally and was only using one of his legs.

The middle toe on Sir Ellington’s left leg was swollen and painful, and x-rays revealed that he had a displaced fracture of his middle left toe.

Performing the first bird surgery at ARL’s Dedham facility, Sir Ellington was sedated and the middle toe was removed. After a week of pain medication and antibiotics, the young pigeon is comfortably walking and perching!

Neil Young was suffering from an embedded band on his leg.

Along with skin growing around the band, there was an extreme amount of debris under the band as well.

ARL veterinary staff removed the band, relieving the pain and getting Neil Young back on the path to adoption!

On his perch waiting to go home.

Sir Ellington was found as a stray.

X-rays show Sir Ellington's fractured toe.

Under sedation, the toe was amputated.

X-rays following surgery.

Sir Ellington on his perch and moving comfortably!

Why Adopt a Bird?

Birds make great pets, particularly if you’re facing time or space constraints.

Here are 5 reasons why adopting a bird may make sense for you:

1. You’ll have someone to talk to. Because of their above average intelligence, birds are very communicative and love to socialize with humans.
2. You’ll have fun training them. Since birds are relatively small, training them can be less physically demanding than working with larger creatures, making them a good choice for the young, elderly, or disabled.
3. You’ll have more space. A bird’s, food, water, and toys are typically self-contained in their cage, so smaller households will still have plenty of room to move around.
4. You’ll have a loyal friend for the long-run. Many bird species have extraordinarily long life expectancies, some living more than 100 years! This often eases the concerns of people who want to make sure they adopt a pet that they can love and enjoy for a very long time.
5. You’ll save money. Most landlords only charge “pet fees” to tenants with cats or dogs. Additionally, at the ARL, all of this is included in your pet’s adoption fee: health screening and veterinary exam, behavioral screening and evaluation, vaccinations, parasite treatment, and more!

Ready to Adopt?

Visit an ARL Animal Care and Adoption Center in Boston, Brewster, or Dedham and find your perfect match today! Dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals, your furry or feathered friend is waiting for a place to call home.