From tree to tree, Mango and Hot Rod fly free
May 11, 2010 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
Mango
Hot Rod
When asked how I spend the days at Florida Parrot Rescue, M.A.R.S., I reply, “One never knows what will unfold at the parrot sanctuary on any given day”.
Take for instance last Thursday, when two fully flighted harlequin Macaws got to try out their wings. Mango and Hot Rod, available for adoption here at Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary are siblings who never leave each others side. So no surprise, when one took flight the other followed.
We here at M.A.R.S. have a three day rule. In three days they are hungry and thirsty, so you had better track them and pray that’s the day of recovery.
From tree to tree on day three we were successful. They were none the worse for the wear, and I believe fully enjoyed their time in the air. They were a beautiful sight for all to see, but not necessarily for me, the tracker.
M.A.R.S. on “Today in Brevard”
April 6, 2010 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
M.A.R.S. founder Lu Apple and Captain Daniel Red on "Today in Brevard"
We were on TV again! The show “Today in Brevard” featuring the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary (M.A.R.S.) just aired – and we are able to share the video including the entire episode with you.
Stars of the show: JayJay, an Eclectus....
....and Cuddles, a beautiful Moluccan.
My “co-stars” on the show included my dear friend Captain Daniel Red, his Amazon parrot named Captain Morgan as well as two of our birds which are available for adoption, Cuddles (a Maluccan) and Jayjay (an eclectus).
We talked about Captain Red’s love for his bird, the adoption process at M.A.R.S. and why it is so important that rescue birds get proper care and food and find the perfect home – hopefully for a lifetime. Here we go:
Please sponsor a M.A.R.S. parrot by visiting our parrots for adoption and forms page. Also consider to make a donation to support our or become a member of Melbourne Aviary Rescue Sanctuary. Thanks!
Yard Sale Feb. 27th Volunteers and donations needed
February 21, 2010 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
We are raising funds, it’s always a necessity, and what better way than our now famous Yard Sales. Set up like a french market with tablecloth covered tables containing bargains galore. Everyone is sure to find a treasure amidst all of the loot. Here are a few items offered for sale.
Remember the date Saturday February 27th from 8:00 AM till 3:00 PM. If you don’t know where we’re located, you’ll find all the info on our location page.
If you can’t attend, please support our cause by consider a making a donation through the M.A.R.S. website. It’s fast and easy, you can pay online with any major credit card or via PayPal. All funds go directly to the care of the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary. Thanks!
Assorted pottery and glassware
carved wooden parrots
vintage walnut rocking chair
carved wooden cat, assorted sizes available
Food Glorious Food, please help us to buy some
February 18, 2010 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
A truck load of food
Every six weeks M.A.R.S. makes a run to C&J Feed for the assorted bags of food necessary to keep all our feathered friends happy and healthy. Products with the names Lafeber, Higgins, Roudybush, Kaytee, Hampton Farms peanuts and Mazuri are loaded into our truck (no delivery charge that way). The total of these products is a whopping $606.00, and yes, that is after our discount is applied.
The above does not include all the other necessary items such as fresh fruit and vegies, additional protein such as chicken legs or and occasional steak, (Clyde’s) favorite, I will explain that in a later story. Also not included are special treats such as banana, cornbread and fresh ground peanut butter all available from Publix Supermarket which is totally safe.
With all that said, a picture is worth a thousand words. Please donate to our cause and help feed our hungry critters by paying for the above necessary items. If you can, also consider sponsoring a M.A.R.S. parrot or becoming a member of Melbourne Aviary Rescue Sanctuary by visiting our forms page.
It is our sincerest hope that you will help us maintain and achieve our goals entering into our third year of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding forever homes through adoption.
Fantastic Video showcases MARS!
November 10, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
Check out this incredible video our friend Jennifer Leslie created about the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary. We hope this really helps raise awareness about what M.A.R.S. is doing, helps to get donations and helps to find these fantastic birds new and loving homes!
This video really rocks and we had a lot of fun doing it! Spread the word and a big thanks Jennifer and her crew!
M.A.R.S. Video Interview with WBCC TV
July 17, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
We’e excited to announce that we’re in the news again! Our Executive Director Lu Apple was interviewed by WBCC’s Suzy Fleming Leonard and LuAnn Manderville answering lots of questions regarding M.A.R.S. – the Florida parrot rescue sanctuary and showing off some of her beautiful birds who up for adoption! Surrounded by her trusty assistants Mary and Christina Ranieri were Cuddles, Harley, Snoopy, Angel and Cisco. We want to give Mary extra kudos by having Angel literally standing on head throughout the entire interview – now there’s a well behaved bird (who needs a hat, right Mary?!!!)
Lu mentioned that M.A.R.S. is quickly outgrowing it’s space and is looking for a new location and the FUNDING to help make it happen! If you have any good tips for us on this please contact us.
Forty birds is a lot of beaks to feed so please help us to pay all the bills for the food, care and maintainance of our rescue birds by making a donation.
Thank you!
Suprise visit from “The Brookshire” residents and staff
May 17, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
M.A.R.S. Parrot Rescue Welcomes Pineapple Cove Academy
May 6, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
The Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary was asked to host a series of three field trips from Pineapple Cove Academy. We decided to roll it into two groups consisting of 20 for the first visit followed by the second group of 40 children.
The purpose of this visit was to of course have fun, but also to teach the children about caring for different parrots that come to our rescue, what can make them happy, and how their behaviors can be so very different within the same species.
It was a very hands on experience for the groups, as each one was given the opportunity to hold and pet the parrots. For added measure we also introduced Gracie our resident iguana, which the children also held and pet. We at M.A.R.S. send out a big thank-you to Pineapple Cove, the staff who accompanied the groups, and to the children who were wonderful visitors.
M.A.R.S. updates, just a little news for those who want to know
April 30, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
First, remember Founders Day May 2nd, we will not be in the park, we will be in front of Apple Spas on Ocean Avenue. This will be a membership drive. Please join the fun!
Second, the name chosen for our new quaker is Chomp. He so lives up to the name. His friend will be called Bite. Let us know if you can guess why!
Third, many events have taken place recently, yard sale fun and fund raising, another interview by Florida Today at the Melbourne Art Festival. We also have new members who joined our M.A.R.S. avian crew. And best of all there will be field trips from local schools to visit the parrots of the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary.
Keep updated by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter on the homepage of MarsParrots.org!
This Art Gallery is for the Birds!
February 16, 2009 by LuAnn Apple · View Comments
The Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary lent more than a splash of color when they headed over to Art Gallery and Studio in old downtown Melbourne last Sunday. Everyone agreed that the birds and the art were a perfect compliment to each other!
Who said parrots couldn’t be “Patrons” of the Arts?! Cortez (far right on her perch) found the gallery irresistable. Every chance she got she got down and wandered around the gallery surveying the art much to the amusement of the gallery patrons! She even posed for a picture with her favorite painting! Now that she has discovered art as her new passion along with the tons of TLC she receives from M.A.R.S. she will stop plucking out her breast feathers and be as beautiful as her buddy Snoopy!
All in all it was a perfect Florida afternoon for viewing wonderful colorful artwork, great photography, meeting interesting people and getting to know and interact with the amazing members of M.A.R.S.!
And thanks so much to all the wonderful ladies of the Gallery, feathered or not, we all had a GREAT time! And a special thanks to our volunteers Rene, Mary and Christina Ranieri, you guys are the best!
