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                                                    Policy for The Dovecote Loft

                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                   

                                                                                                    Payment in full is required before any services are rendered.

                               Due to weather conditions and hawks, doves do not fly from November 1st to  April 1st, this may vary a few weeks earlier or later.  Caged displays are available all year

                                                                  Funerals do not require a down payment but payment in full is required before the display or release is supplied.
50% down payment due when a reservation other than a  funeral is made, and remainder due no later than three days before the release. Cancellation refunds will be made as long as we are notified no less than                                                                                                                          24 hours before the scheduled release.

           We accept cash, check, or credit card payments through PayPal. If paying with credit card please contact us first and we will get the information we need to send a invoice to you through PayPal.


Certain weather conditions make it unsafe to release doves. These conditions may include, but are not limited to rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, extreme heat or cold, fog and snow. During such conditions,doves cannot be released. Bird handler determines if dove releases must be canceled do to inclement weather. A full refund will be given if doves are not released because of  weather conditions.

Doves will not be released if structures such as power lines, highways with heavy traffic, communication towers, predators etc. are a threat to the doves.  Bird handler determines if the doves are released. A full refund will be given if a suitable location is not agreed upon by The Dovecote Loft and you. If you think there may be a problem with your release area, please let us know, and we will be happy to look at the area of the release, to determine ahead of time if it is suitable, and find an acceptable solution if there is a problem.

Doves must have 2 hours fly time to return to their loft, birds will not be released if sunset is within 2 hours. They do not fly at night.

Doves will not be released indoors, under roofs, tents, or awnings. The edge of tents and awnings is alright, but not under.

At times, all doves may not be available for flying because of injuries, sickness, lost birds, etc. If this happens, and affects your release, we will notify you as soon as possible, you will have the option to cancel and receive a full refund , or choose less birds for the release, with the proper amount refunded to you. Your choice.

We will only hold the release for 45 minutes after the scheduled time, the doves WILL be released  at 45 minutes past the scheduled  release time,  and The Dovecote Loft's obligation  is considered fulfilled at that time, with no refund due to you. We can not keep the birds in the release baskets indefinitely.

I can not guarantee how long the birds will stay in the area after release. They may circle many times, as they try to get their bearings before heading for their loft, or they may find their bearings soon after release from the basket, and head straight for their loft. The doves will do what comes natural to them, and once released, it is all beyond our control.  The one thing you can count on is the birds will come from the baskets in a rush  and take to the air. The more open the area, the better for  your viewing.

 Bird handler reserves the right to cancel the release for any reason. 


Weather related cancellations will be fully refunded.

Display doves may not be trained for flying.   The doves must be in the display cage when we return  to retrieve them at the end of your event. If the doves are missing, you agree to pay a release charge  of $300 for a wedding, or $125 for a funeral in addition to the dove display charge.

If  a hand release is something you want, please be aware that the possibility exists for a bird to defecate, and you agree you will not hold The Dovecote Loft responsible for any costs incurred from this happening. Although the chance of this happening is very small because of the special diet the doves are given before a flying day, it can still happen. If this is something that would ruin your special day (ie. a dove soiling your clothing) then a hand release is not for you!

For Photo shoots with a professional photographer: 15 Doves , 3 cages, 2 baskets, and the dove wrangler are supplied for one hour or until the doves run out, whichever comes first.  Monday through Friday only. Any releasing of the doves must be done at least 2 hours before sunset. Doves can be handled inside the studio, but any releasing must be done outside. If the weather conditions do not cooperate we will gladly reschedule. The photo shoots are for professional photographers during a photo shoot at their studio, not for use at ceremony.