    October for one thing, and what do we all love about October? EVERYTHING!!
   The colors of Fall are everywhere. The fact that we live in Florida might mean you have to look a little harder to find them but they are there for all of us to seek out and enjoy. So here is a suggestion for viewing some local color this weekend and when fundraising for a good cause is involved well you just have to check it out.
    The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism is opening their fundraising Pumpkin Patch this weekend October 12th. The address is 2960 Bush Drive in Melbourne. They are as an added bonus to your pumpkin purchases, giving a $3.00 coupon good toward your x-mas tree purchase later on in the year. I understand they will be Frasier Firs fron N.C..
Now back to pumpkins. ever wonder what a peanut pumpkin looks like?
 Yep looks like someone glued peanuts all over them. There will be colorful gourds too to accent your fall decorations. Get creative!
M.A.R.S. will be joining in on the fun bringing along some colorful parrots for some picture taking opportunities and BEWAREÂ a Pirate will be keeping an eye on all who dare to come out for such a good cause.
Hope to see alot of you there. Please go to their page on facebook and hit the like button, M.A.R.S. just did so.
Although we have our official web site marsparrots.org, many Facebook followers of our Florida based exotic bird rescue continue to ask this very question.
Like my recent blog on “What is Birdy Boot Camp, which I hope you all read or will read, I decided a quick explanation of our parrot surrender procedure was a good idea for another blog.  A sort of reference guide to go by if you need one, or know someone who does.
On our web page, on the top header there is a forms section. There you will click in and find all the necessary papers for surrendering, volunteering etc. Print them out and bring to Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary when you visit to see if you feel comfortable placing your parrot with M.A.R.S.. You can also e-mail the surrender forms to us for our files. Then we have them for when you visit, or when we schedule you to bring in your bird, or when we schedule a pick-up for you if needed.
M.A.R.S. would like to remind you that our “Birdy Boot Camp“ is an option to surrendering your bird or at least a step in helping you to make the decision you might be faced with. Either way, here at M.A.R.S., we like to offer all the options available in what possibly could be a very difficult time for you.
Please remember a donation to our cause when you visit our Florida Parrot Sanctuary and Rescue M.A.R.S.. It helps us to continue helping all the parrots and individuals that need our services. As always we look forward to your imput on any blog we post either right here or on our Facebook.com/marsparrots page
For most of us who are lucky enough to have feathered members in our families, we learned out of necessity, how to be practicle in coming up with creative ways to keep them entertained. One of the biggest challenges can be teaching your pet bird how to be happy and occupied on its’ own where you are not the main source of all their focus.
Over time here at M.A.R.S., learning how so many different species of birds can and do love to play with items presented to them has been a valuable learning lesson.
In the basket on the side you see items we frequently gather from yard sales, garage sales, Estate sales etc. you get the idea. Yes you have to be smart about what you pic out. No beenie babies or anything with very small injestible parts. Cloth eyes versus button eyes is a good example. Legos, wood blocks, disgarded dog toys also good, ( yes we wash all, and soak if necessary). You get the idea.
When we as humans realize that as avians in a pet situation, they have the ability to learn to entertain themselves, all our our lives can be enriched. Which is why my next follow up blog will be about Birdy Boot Camp.
We thank you for reading this blog and hope to see your comments posted with your thoughts and ideas on this subject, and please share any good toy ideas you might have with us. We are always learning and practicle hands on experience is just simply the best kind of all.
Please remember a donation to our cause helps us to continue helping all of them to become the amazing avians that they can be. We have  at our Parrot Rescue here in Florida for adoption some very interesting characters to be sure. We also have some permanent residents you will enjoy meeting when you visit Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary also known as M.A.R.S..
Volunteers, without a doubt,  are the life force of any well run non-profit endeavor.  Their joint efforts,  in creating a well put together and inviting set-up at the recent local bird show was nothing short of amazing to be sure.
Jane, Linda, Caren, Jill and Crystal all agreed to just go for it. The M.A.R.S. booth the ladies put  together was both colorful and lively,  and with this crew at the helm I am  positive  the information was readily flowing to anyone who ventured in to see who we were. To those who already knew us, simply to stop by, say hi, and see what”s new with M.A.R.S. and to share their personal bird experiences and stories with all of us.
The show also offered everyone a chance to meet a few feathered friends of M.A.R.S., and an opportunity to check out our new bumper stickers, posters, t-shirts and other items we are promoting to raise much needed funds for our exotic bird rescue. Promoting future events M.A.R.S. will be involved in as well,  were all an important part of this undertaking.
There are more pictures to view, and more information available on our facebook.com/marsparrots page, so join us there when you can. Your feedback is valued and appreciated so let us know your thoughts.
Thank-you for viewing and for all your continued support to our cause. Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary so appreciates all who do so.  Â
Till the next time!!!!!!! There really never is a dull moment, ever!!!