They are not equipped to live in the wild

The heartbreaking reason why you should never release doves at your wedding: ‘So cruel’

King pigeons, homing pigeons and ring-necked doves have no survival skills out in the wild, according to Palomacy. Thus, they will likely suffer and eventually die.

“The ‘dove release’ business perpetuates the idea that white birds can be ‘set free’ and they will just fly away and live happily ever after. Even under the best of circumstances, trained ‘wedding doves’ are hurt, lost and killed trying to get home,” the group’s website states.

“Never buy and release birds for weddings, funerals, prayers, blessings, as a ‘kind act’ or other ceremonies. White doves and other birds (like King Pigeons) sold to you have no survival skills and will suffer and die, bringing neither joy nor honor to any occasion. Releasing store-bought birds is both cruel and illegal.”