Mission Statement:

To rescue, treat, and rehabilitate sick and injured wild birds with the goal of releasing them back into their native habitat in the wild.

To educate the general public about Florida's native wild bird population, and how to prevent and reduce man-made dangers wild birds face everyday.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary 2017 Grand Opening.

Seaside's History

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, LLC was founded on July 13th, 2016 as a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating sick and injured wild birds. On September 1st, 2016, Seaside opened up their 1.5 acre full-service avian hospital and sanctuary located in Indian Shores, Florida. Seaside was granted its 501(c)(3) non-profit status three months later on December 15th, 2016. On March 30th, 2017, the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary held its official grand opening.

The examination room inside the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary's Dr. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital.

Dr. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital

Named after the Doctor who originally funded its construction in 2003, the DR. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital is probably the most important facility located on the 1.5-acre Sanctuary property. Inside, a team of dedicated and experienced staff and volunteer members diagnose and treat the 2,500 - 3,000 sick and injured birds that are admitted to the hospital each year. Similar to a human hospital, the DR. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital is equipped with emergency facilities, a surgical center, injury recovery areas, and an outdoor wild bird recuperation and rehabilitation area.

A Seaside Seabird Sanctuary rescue team volunteer rescuing a sick eastern brown pelican.

Bird Rescue

On average, The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary's Injured Bird Rescue Hotline receives 2,338 calls every year, with Sanctuary Rescue Volunteers conducting 300 rescues each year. 

The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary's Avian Hospital Director treating a sick great blue heron.

Treatment & Rehabilitation

Out of the 2,500 - 3,000 sick and injured wild birds that are admitted into the Sanctuary's hospital each year, 44.5% of the birds are successfully treated and rehabilitated. Seaside's success rate is just above the national average which is only 39%.

the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary's Avian Hospital Director, Melissa Dollard, releasing an osprey.

Releasing Rehabilitated Birds Back into the Wild.

The end goal of what Seaside does is to be able to release birds back into the wild that they have successfully rehabilitated. Each year, on average, Seaside releases 669 rehabilitated wild birds back into the wild.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary's Avian Hospital Specialist, Amy Nulph, at a school presentation.

Educating the Community

A huge part of Seaside's mission is to educate the community and bring awareness to the importance of birds in our ecosystem, what dangers they face due to man, and how to reduce their dangers. Seaside staff routinely visits schools and other institutions to help educate the  community on such issues.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary volunteers picking up trash in Seminole through the Adopt-A-Mile program.

Conservation Efforts

Seaside routinely organizes and takes part in local conservation efforts such as beach clean-ups. In 2018 Seaside adopted a mile-long stretch of road in Seminole. In partnership with "Keep Pinellas Beuatiful," Seaside volunteers routinely pick up trash along the adopted roadway.