Franklin wasn’t supposed to be a permanent part of the family. It all started about a year ago when Franklin was found as a baby, removed from her nest by a maintenance team at the apartment building where her owner lives.
The team was trying to keep her alive, but she was in rough shape—missing patches of feathers and fur, looking more like a little bundle of fluff than a pigeon.

When her owner first met her, it was love at first sight. Right away, they knew they couldn’t just leave Franklin.
They had to bring her in, even if it was just for a little while.
At first, the plan was simple: take Franklin in, raise her on the balcony, and eventually release her back into the wild when she was ready.

Her owner didn’t expect to end up with a pet pigeon. They thought Franklin would grow, learn to fly, and return to her natural life with the other pigeons in the city. But as Franklin grew her feathers back and started to fly around, it became clear she wasn’t going anywhere.
She kept coming back to her owner, even after learning how to fly and meeting other pigeons at the park. It seemed like Franklin had found her place—right there with the family.
@nativenewyorkerfilm Frankie Loves her new Food 😋🥰 #yummy #rescueanimals #rescuepigeon #babybird #wildanimals #cuteanimals #bestfriends ♬ LOONEY TUNES PART 2 – Cavendish
Franklin’s Transformation Into the Family Pet

Franklin’s first few weeks were all about recovery. Her owner took care of her, and in just a week, her feathers started growing back. Soon enough, Franklin wasn’t just looking like a proper pigeon, she was acting like one too.
She learned to fly, thanks to some flying lessons her owner gave her at the park. They also helped her meet other pigeons and start socializing, getting her ready for the wild.
But no matter how much time she spent with other pigeons, Franklin always flew back to her owner. It was like she had chosen her family and wasn’t interested in going anywhere else.

Once it was clear that Franklin wasn’t going back to the wild, her life at home became a little more interesting. First off, Franklin’s obsession with food is very much like a dog’s.
Anytime someone in the house is eating, Franklin wants to know what’s going on. And she’s not just watching—she’s expecting her share. Whether it’s a tiny pancake, taco, or even a little slice of pizza, Franklin gets her own mini portion of whatever’s on the menu.
It’s now a part of their routine. If anyone is eating, Franklin is right there, eagerly waiting for her pigeon-sized snack.
And it’s not just the food. Franklin has this adorable habit of flying to her owner’s head whenever they come through the door.

Much like a dog rushing to greet you, Franklin swoops in, ready to say hello. She’s constantly looking for attention and loves being a part of everything going on in the house. Whether it’s cooking, painting, or even just watching TV, Franklin insists on being involved.
One of her favorite activities is sitting with her owner in the kitchen while they cook. It’s like she’s supervising the meal prep, probably waiting for her little snack afterward.
Franklin’s unique personality doesn’t stop there. She’s totally in love with the family cats. It might seem strange to picture a pigeon and cats getting along, but Franklin doesn’t care.

She hops up on the cats while they nap and even gives them little “massages” by gently pecking at them. Of course, her owner always supervises, just to be safe, but the cats don’t seem to mind at all.
They’ve accepted Franklin as part of the pack.
As Franklin grew more comfortable in the house, her owner realized that she wasn’t just a rescued bird anymore. She had become a part of the family.
From the moment she flies to greet them at the door to her quirky behavior with the cats, Franklin has settled into her role as a full-fledged pet. It’s not something her owner expected when they first brought her home, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now, Franklin’s daily routine is a mix of normal pigeon behavior and some very un-pigeon-like quirks.
She loves to sit on her owner’s shoulder while they paint or hop around the living room while everyone watches TV. If she’s not hanging out with the humans, you can probably find her cuddled up with the cats, much to their confusion.
But Franklin’s favorite thing in the world is still food. Whenever someone eats, she’s there, making sure she gets her share of the action.
@nativenewyorkerfilm Fun in the sun! This was Franklin’s first day outside. Before this, she was living in a box in a dark parking garage basement. She loves being outside! 🙂 #pigeon #pigeonlovers #rescueanimals #babyanimals #animalsoftiktok #wildlife ♬ original sound – Native New Yorker Film
Franklin’s New Life and Forever Home

Franklin’s story is a perfect example of how a rescue can change your life in unexpected ways. What started as a temporary situation turned into a permanent one, and now Franklin is as much a part of the family as the cats.
Her owner never planned on having a pigeon as a pet, but it turns out Franklin had other plans. She’s settled into her life as a pet pigeon, complete with daily routines, snacks, and plenty of affection from her human and feline family members.

Rescuing Franklin wasn’t just about saving her—it was about forming a unique bond that none of them expected.
Whether she’s flying around the house, hopping onto the cats, or begging for food at the dinner table, Franklin has brought so much joy to her family. And even though she learned to fly and made friends with other pigeons, Franklin always comes home.
Her place isn’t out in the wild—it’s right here, with the people (and cats) who love her.

Franklin is proof that sometimes, the most unexpected pets can become the ones that steal your heart the most. Now, her days are filled with food, fun, and affection, and her owner couldn’t imagine life without her.
Franklin didn’t just find a home—she found her family.
@nativenewyorkerfilm Frankie our rescue Pigeon didn’t have bird parents to show her how to fly so we thought we’d give it a try! 😂 She got the hang of it. #pigeon #wildlife ♬ original sound – Corinne