Making a Difference Since 1988

Bird rescues began at this location in 1988 when the facility was established by Dale Shields, also known as “The Pelican Man”, through a lease with the City of Sarasota. It grew to become one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Florida, with many staff and volunteers working to rescue, rehabilitate and release thousands of birds over the years. The sanctuary was also home to many permanently injured bird residents who could not have survived in the wild after rehab. After Dale passed away in 2003, the Sanctuary continued to operate but eventually closed in 2006 due to a lack of funding. The facilities were abandoned and soon fell into disrepair.

In 2008, Save Our Seabirds was co-founded by Lee Fox, a wildlife rehabilitator from the Pinellas Seabird Rehab Center, and Ann Anderson, a generous benefactor living on Longboat Key.  The mission was to rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, releasing as many as possible. Since that time, Save Our Seabirds has made tremendous progress repairing and expanding the facilities, adding educational programs and improving standards in avian care.  In 2020, the organization hired its first onsite avian veterinarian, Dr. Maria Passarelli, to enhance the quality of care and increase the services that can be provided.  In 2021, over 5,000 rescue calls were received and more than 1,200 birds were admitted to the hospital.

Much more remains to be accomplished.  Goals include enlarging and upgrading the hospital to full veterinarian capabilities, expanding and renovating the resident bird enclosures, adding a modern visitor center, and continuing to make advancements in educational opportunities throughout the site.