Our History
Based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) area of Minnesota, Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS) was founded in July 1999 to provide much-needed services for captive parrots in the Midwest in cooperation with other organizations around the USA and world. MAARS is the oldest and largest organization in the Midwest providing sanctuary, rehabilitation, education, and behavioral consultation services for our avian friends and their guardians.
OUR MISSION
MAARS’ core function is to care for our flock at our facility, The Landing. Our primary mission is to educate the public, people who already live with parrots, and the veterinary community about the issues that face captive parrots.
We are a no-kill, non-profit organization funded solely through donations. MAARS’ primary function is to care for the MAARS flock at our shelter, The Landing.
ON ANY GIVEN DAY
OVER 100 BIRDS
CALL OUR SANCTUARY HOME
Almost 70 Volunteer staff working twelve shifts per week tend to the daily needs of the MAARS Flock.
OUR DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors, Consultants, and other Volunteers of MAARS have extensive experience working with exotic and indigenous birds of many species.
WHY WE DO IT
Although birds are beautiful, intelligent, loving, and entertaining, they can be very difficult and demanding in captivity — especially the larger parrots. Many people do not find out in advance how much living with a bird will impact their lives before purchasing Polly. While birdkeeping remains a lifetime joy for some people, many are quickly overwhelmed by the noise, mess, expense, and time commitment it involves.
Most captive-bred birds are still only a handful of generations out of the wild. They are still wild animals that are still instinctively programmed to lead lives that are very different from what humans can provide in our homes. Some birds make the physical and mental transition from the wild to captivity well, while many don’t, to varying degrees.
Since the founding of MAARS in July 1999, almost 1500 unwanted parrots have come through our doors. More than 1400 birds have been successfully placed into permanent homes.
Although these numbers may seem high, they represent only one tree in an entire forest of unwanted and unplaceable captive parrots and other birds. The need for programs like MAARS is growing rapidly. The birds desperately need us and your help!
VOLUNTEER
Since the founding of MAARS in July 1999, almost 1500 unwanted parrots have come through our doors. More than 1400 birds have been successfully placed into permanent homes. We’ve consistently grown since then, all thanks to the helping hands of this amazing community!
STORIES
On any given day, over 100 birds call The Landing home. Almost 70 Volunteer staff working twelve shifts per week tend to the daily needs of the birds at our Minneapolis/St. Paul area facility, The Landing. Read some of the birds’ stories here.
GUIDESTAR
MAARS’ core function is to care for our flock at our facility, The Landing. Our primary mission is to educate the public, people who already live with parrots, and the veterinary community about the issues that face captive parrots.
