Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services, Inc.

The quality, durability and security of the flock’s cages are of paramount importance to their well-being. Given the length of time, MAARS has been in operation and the inevitable wear that occurs over time, a number of our current cages are in need of replacement. Our goal is to procure 8 large and 8 extra-large cages in 2013 to replace those in the most need. Over the next 5 years, MAARS will need to replace around 20 cages. .

The current MAARS shelter is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota in a converted office building. While the indoor quality of life for the 85 members of the MAARS flock is adequate the long term goal of MAARS is to relocate the flock to a location and space that enables the birds to have both indoor and outdoor space of the highest quality possible.In addition to the above, the long term goal of MAARS is to ensure that the space can accommodate (in a manner that is non-intrusive to the flock) members of the public and other interested personnel for behavioral consultations, education and fundraising purposes.MAARS would be open to sharing space with an existing shelter or managing a sanctuary that could accommodate additional birds and/or organizations.

Education is essential to successful captive parrot care. It provides an avenue for captive parrot caretakers to insure a quality life for their avian companions. An educated, prepared person is much more likely to maintain an interest in his/her captive parrot and provide a long-term, quality home. All too often caretakers obtain a parrot without fully understanding their needs or how to interpret and successfully manage many of the behaviors that captive parrots demonstrate. This can lead to abuse or surrender of the animal.MAARS currently has a quarterly parrot care class and the executive director of the organization offers one on one in home consultations with parrot caretakers.MAARS would like to expand and augment this offering in the following ways:• Expand the current website to include an online assessment and evaluation capability• Purchase on line search engine capabilities to ensure that captive parrot caretakers can easily find the services that MAARS offers• Expand the current course and consultation materials to include a customized manual that can be left with parrot caretakers. This would include step by step instructions to improve parrot management and facilitate behavior records to assist with follow up consultations• Expand the MAARS Senior Staff training materials and capability to increase the number of staff able to provide behavioral consultative services in a consistent and professional manner.