The Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota Florida was started by Dale Sheds in 1984. Dale was fishing off his dock when he saw a Pelican laying motionless on the beach. Quickly dale put his rod down and walked over to the injured bird. Dale picked up the helpless bird and brought it into his home. Calling every number in the phone book trying to find someone or some organization to help, Dale realized their was no body to help. If the bird was to survive it was up to Dale. The Pelican was nursed back to health and took up residence at Dales house. Dale was so moved from this experience that he decided it was time for someone to get involved, and It was going to be him. After years of rescuing birds by himself he has built an organization dedicated to the rescue of injured birds.
.........Some of the rescued birds can't be returned back to wild because of their injuries. So a Sanctuary was built for the permanently disabled birds to live.
..........Dale Shelds otherwise know as the Pelican Man talks to a small boy on the boardwalk. Dale spends a lot of time talking to visitors. When you walk through the sanctuary you soon realize that this is a special place. The Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary is supported by donations from individuals . If you want to sponsor a bird you can. Many of the birds have been rescued from horrible situations and can't be returned to the wild because of their injuries. People sponsor birds by donating money. The money pays for the care and feeding for a year, or the rest of its life in the sanctuary. To show gratitude Dale has placks inscribed with the names of the people who give and mounted in front of the cages of the birds that were sponsored With out the donations and the support from the volunteers The Sanctuary would not exists.
