Highland Lofts White Dove Release Frequently Asked Questions

The doves arrival from a 35-mile training toss - 12/26/2008

What time of day is best for a dove release?
Anytime from sun up to two hours before dusk. The birds
need ample time to safely return to their own selected roost in our loft.

At what point in the celebration are the Dove's released?
That is entirely up to you. We have several suggestions
depending upon the time you choose.

What happens to the dove's when they are released?
The doves usually circle the release area several times to acquire their
navigational bearings then make the flight back to the loft where
they were born and raised. When they return home
there is fresh food and water awaiting them.

Do all doves know how to return home?
No, the white doves bought at pet stores have no
homing ability and are poor flyers. When this type of dove
is released in the wild they will perish.

What's the difference between store bought doves
and the white doves used at our release?
Store bought doves are domesticated (white) ring neck doves.
The white doves used for your release are descended from the Rock Dove, AKA: (Carrier Pigeon,
The same used by the military during WW1 and WW2), Homing Pigeon and Racing Homer Pigeons
The Snow white homing pigeons we use are selected from three strains of racing pigeons.
These birds have excellent homing ability and are trained to return home from a hundred mile radius from our loft.
We have four lofts that we utilize birds from so the birds we use at your event have a forty mile
or less flight back to their home loft. We have a loft in Renton, WA., Arlington, WA., Stanwood, WA., and Bellinghom, WA.
Depending where the release venue is determines which loft we utilize the birds from.

Can the doves be released in the winter?
Yes, our trained doves can fly in all four seasons, weather permitting.

Can we release the birds by hand?
Yes, If you decide to do a hand release instead of a basket release we recommend that you
come to our main loft in Arlington, WA. to learn the proper way to remove the dove from
the release basket and the proper way to hold a dove, This helps to insure you do not
injure the dove when removing it from the basket and cut's down on premature releases, and it's free.

Can the birds fly in any weather conditions?
No, foul weather is dangerous to our birds.
High winds, moderate to heavy rain, fog, and
snow interfere with their homing ability. We
will not jeopardize the safety of our birds.

How long will the release coordinator be at our event?
Each release is different. We usually exit your event half an hour
after your scheduled release. However, major events and
timing sometimes do not work out. If there is a delay in the timing of
the release there may be a charge of $25 per the half hour.
Some days we do several releases in a day and punctual timing is important to us.

Can I have a dove release anywhere?
In most cases yes, however there are few
isolated places we can not release from.

Can I see the doves before my special event?
Absolutely, we welcome all clients and visitors to
stop by to look at and handle the birds before the event.
You can stop by any day of the week. Please call to
schedule your visit to make sure someone will be there
to greet you.

How can I schedule a white dove release?
You can schedule a release by emailing, calling, writing, or even
stopping by the loft. Please visit our Contact Us page for more info.

How much does a dove release cost?
You should expect to pay between $175 to $500 depending
on what package you choose from a reputable release service.
There may be additional charges involved, please see our
"Mileage, Tolls, Ferries, Entrance Fees, Parking, & Overtime statement."
There are many expenses involved in the white dove release business:
Construction of the lofts, purchase of the birds and replacements, advertising,
display items, release baskets and display cages, training, feed, vitamins,
vaccines, and other supplies. You want to hire a professional release
service for quality assurance not someone who is doing this as a hobby.

How will I know the company is reputable and the birds will be safe?
There are several ways, the first step is ask to see their state business license.
Ask for referrals from previous clients.
Do they have quality release equipment?
Are they a member of one or more of the national dove release societies?
International White Dove Society
Professions White Dove Release Association
American White Dove Release Association
White Dove Directory
American Racing Pigeon Union
*All members must agree to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Mileage, Tolls, Ferries, Entrance Fees, Parking, & Overtime

In additions to the standard dove release fees there may be other fees.
The standard release package fee is based upon twenty-five mile range from our business headquarters in Arlington, Washington.
For distances beyond twenty-five miles there is a one dollar per mile travel fee (one way),
based upon mapquest from area code 98223 to your release venue.
If there are Tolls, Ferry, Entrance Fees & Parking fees incurred for the release they will be
added to the basic dove release package price.

Overtime Fee
Being a full time dove release service we occasionally will have several releases to perform in a day.
Being punctual is very important in our scheduling of which releases can be performed by which release coordinator.
When we schedule a dove release, we give ample time in between releases so we can be at your event venue an
hour before it starts to get set up and take care of any last minute changes.
Major events and timing sometimes do not work out. Our release agreement (contract) has scheduled release time,
You are given a half hour after scheduled release time to conduct the release,
Afterwards there is a $25 per half-hour late fee. Please be considerate of the timing of the event.

Saturdays are the busiest days for white dove releases.
We suggest you reserve your date early!

Highland Lofts
c/o Patrick Vanderpool
PO Box 9
Silvana, WA 98287
425-220-1051
Highlandlofts@aol.com