Dove Release Business Thrives

2007 - Volume #31, Issue #4, Page #09

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Ken and Joanne Dodman go to a lot of weddings, funerals and other special family occasions. That's because their company, "The Sky's The Limit," provides white doves for release.
    White doves represent faith, fidelity, purity, hope, new beginnings, and eternal love, not to mention they're the international symbol of peace. "Doves mate for life and are very romantic and affectionate - a true reflection of the term "lovey dovey."
    Beautiful white birds are in high demand, according to the Erickson, Manitoba couple, who breed and raise their own birds, which are actually white racing homer pigeons that are recognized as a larger type of dove.
    Their instinctual ability to return home, no matter where they're released from, makes white homers ideal for this type of business. Dove releases with non-homing varieties are considered inhumane, and the Humane Society would try to stop the practice.
    Since the birds don't need fancy facilities to thrive, raising them isn't expensive, and Ken has enjoyed them as a hobby since boyhood. When Joanne suggested started a business, they purchased a small flock of white birds.
    They charge a minimum of $150 for bookings of one to 10 birds. If more than 10 birds are booked, the fee rises accordingly.
    Dove releases are available during the spring to late fall. You can choose to do a hand release (holding and then releasing them) or release them all at once from a basket.
     The Dodmans won't do releases in bad weather (strong winds, low clouds, rain), because this puts the birds under more stress and higher risk of trouble enroute.
    Once they've taken flight, the birds will gather in the sky, briefly circle and then begin their journey home.
    The Dodmans prepare the flock for their work by first releasing them short distances from home, gradually going further and further out.
    "Eventually, you can release them as far away as you want, and they'll always find their way back," Ken says. "The only time we ever lose one is in the rare instance of a hawk or power line taking one down, or if they encounter sudden bad weather."
    The Dodmans are members of the International White Dove Society, an umbrella group for White Dove Release businesses across the U.S., New Zealand, Europe, Australia, and Canada.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Sky's The Limit White Dove Release, Ken and Joanne Dodman, P.O. Box 113, Erickson, Manitoba, Canada R0J 0P0 (ph 204 636-7725; info@whitedoverelease.ca; www.whited overelease.ca, www.whitedovesociety. org).

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Dove Release Business Thrives LIVESTOCK Exotic Animals Ken and Joanne Dodman go to a lot of weddings funerals and other special family occasions That s because their company The Sky s The Limit provides white doves for release White doves represent faith fidelity purity hope new beginnings and eternal love not to mention they re the international symbol of peace Doves mate for life and are very romantic and affectionate - a true reflection of the term lovey dovey Beautiful white birds are in high demand according to the Erickson Manitoba couple who breed and raise their own birds which are actually white racing homer pigeons that are recognized as a larger type of dove Their instinctual ability to return home no matter where they re released from makes white homers ideal for this type of business Dove releases with non-homing varieties are considered inhumane and the Humane Society would try to stop the practice Since the birds don t need fancy facilities to thrive raising them isn t expensive and Ken has enjoyed them as a hobby since boyhood When Joanne suggested started a business they purchased a small flock of white birds They charge a minimum of $150 for bookings of one to 10 birds If more than 10 birds are booked the fee rises accordingly Dove releases are available during the spring to late fall You can choose to do a hand release holding and then releasing them or release them all at once from a basket The Dodmans won t do releases in bad weather strong winds low clouds rain because this puts the birds under more stress and higher risk of trouble enroute Once they ve taken flight the birds will gather in the sky briefly circle and then begin their journey home The Dodmans prepare the flock for their work by first releasing them short distances from home gradually going further and further out Eventually you can release them as far away as you want and they ll always find their way back Ken says The only time we ever lose one is in the rare instance of a hawk or power line taking one down or if they encounter sudden bad weather The Dodmans are members of the International White Dove Society an umbrella group for White Dove Release businesses across the U S New Zealand Europe Australia and Canada Contact: FARM SHOW Followup The Sky s The Limit White Dove Release Ken and Joanne Dodman P O Box 113 Erickson Manitoba Canada R0J 0P0 ph 204 636-7725; info@whitedoverelease ca; www whited overelease ca www whitedovesociety org

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