Blue Birds Sanctuary

Pros

• The rescue is described as amazing with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
• Mandy (Mandi) is consistently praised for being kind, patient, and knowledgeable about birds.
• The birds are said to be well cared for, with clean cages and ample food and enrichment.
• Visitors report excellent customer service, noting staff are helpful and attentive.
• The shop offers a wide selection of toys, perches, and bird food at reasonable prices.
• Mandy's commitment to responsible adoptions and preventing breeding is viewed positively by reviewers.

Cons

• The staff turned away a visitor and told them they don't take wild birds, in a dismissive and rude tone.
• The front desk worker did not assist for about 20 minutes, despite the visitor struggling to return a parrot to its cage.
• The staff dismissed concerns about a wounded parrot, saying it wasn't their fault how they come in and that if the bird isn't bleeding it's fine.
• A staff member chased the parrot back into the cage with a towel while continuing to complain.
• The reviewer felt there was a lack of compassion and professionalism, which was deeply discouraging.
• One reviewer described Mandy as unfriendly, saying she asks too many questions and calls the visitor stupid.
• A former visitor described the old location as dirty and unkempt, with a burning-out barn appearance, dirty cages, and expired products.
• Another reviewer claimed many birds were dying under care at the rescue and described the place as a mess.

Review

AZ Exotic Bird Rescue in Scottsdale emerges from these notes as a place that many people in the bird-loving community hold close, even as it provokes strong and sometimes contradictory reactions. For some, it is a welcoming sanctuary where birds receive attentive care, where staff and the owner - most often referred to as Mandy or Mandi - are committed, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in the birds' well-being. For others, the experience can feel frustrating or cold, with frustrations ranging from the attitude of the front desk to disagreements about how birds should be handled and cared for. Together, the reviews paint a portrait of a rescue that is deeply valued by many, while also becoming a source of disappointment for others who expected different treatment or outcomes.

A recurring thread among the more critical comments centers on experiences with staff demeanor and responsiveness. A number of reviewers describe encounters where they felt dismissed or superficially assisted, especially in tense situations involving injured or distressed birds. One visitor recalls bringing in an injured wild bird and being told, "We don't take wild birds!" in a tone that felt dismissive and unsympathetic, followed by a sense of shock at the lack of compassion. Another account describes a moment when a parrot's care was needed as it struggled with a painful leg wound, but the front desk staff "never got up to assist," only to offer complaints rather than help, leaving the reviewer in tears and feeling unsupported. Across several comments, there is a shared sense that, in some visits, the front-of-house experience did not reflect the warmth and attention many patrons expect when they are trying to help animals.

Despite these negative experiences, many reviewers frame the rescue as a remarkable resource and repeatedly credit Mandy/Mandi with a high level of expertise, kindness, and dedication. In several accounts, Mandy is described as patient and deeply engaged with both birds and people. She is credited with taking time to sit down with prospective adopters, thoroughly assessing their knowledge and living situations, and making careful decisions about whether a bird would be a good match. The overarching message from these supporters is that AZ Exotic Bird Rescue operates as a sanctuary rather than a consumer pet-store experience, with a clear emphasis on the birds' long-term welfare rather than rapid adoptions. The rescue's approach to adoption - ensuring potential homes are truly suitable and sometimes declining to place a bird if it isn't a good fit - appears to be a point of pride for many advocates who view it as a compassionate, responsible standard.

Community members also speak to the rescue's offerings beyond adoptions. Several reviews highlight the store's large assortment of bird foods, toys, perches, and grooming services, with many praising the quality and reliability of products like Harrison's and a generally well-stocked shop. The grooming services are singled out by those who have seen birds being handled with care, and the in-house staff are described as capable and loving toward the birds being groomed. There is a sense that, for many visitors, AZ Exotic Bird Rescue functions as an important hub: a place to learn about bird care, to source reliable supplies, and to find ongoing support for their feathered companions. Even reviewers who found other aspects of their visit lacking still acknowledge Mandy's positive, hands-on involvement with the birds and the staff's overall competence.

Descriptions of the facility itself are mixed, signaling a conflict between perceptions of cleanliness, space, and overall atmosphere. Some accounts celebrate the environment as bright, clean, and well-managed, with cages that appear well cared-for and an open, welcoming feel during visits. In stark contrast, other comments describe a more melancholy or neglected appearance at times, including a former location described as looking like a burned-out barn, with complaints about odors, dirty cages, stale or expired products, and signs of disorganization. This divergence underscores how impressions can vary widely from visit to visit, and how context, timing, or specific areas of the facility can color a guest's experience.

A few reviews touch on politics or philosophy around animal rescue more broadly. Several posters emphasize that this is a rescue operation, not a pet shop, and they defend Mandy's strict standards as indicative of a deep commitment to bird welfare. They stress that safe, responsible adoption practices - such as thorough checks and rejecting placements that aren't in the birds' best interest - are essential to preventing exploitation and breeding. For these voices, the rescue's mission and Mandy's leadership are seen as principled and essential, even if some potential adopters find the process challenging or the rules strict.

Overall, the collection of experiences suggests AZ Exotic Bird Rescue is a deeply polarizing yet vital institution within the local avian community. For many, it is a place where birds receive attentive care, knowledgeable grooming, and thoughtful guidance about adoption and long-term welfare. For others, the experience can be tainted by perceived rudeness, slow or dismissive handling in emergencies, or a mismatch between expectations and the rescue's careful, selective approach. What remains clear is that the rescue is more than a storefront or a single service: it is a community resource and a labor of love for birds, driven by dedicated individuals who polarize opinion in the process. If you're considering getting involved - whether as a donor, volunteer, adopter, or guardian of a bird - the best path seems to be to visit, observe, and engage with Mandy and the team firsthand to understand the care philosophy, the environment, and the kind of commitment required to welcome a feathered family member into your home.

This part of Scottsdale, Arizona offers a convenient location with easy access to essential amenities such as pharmacies, cafes, physicians, restaurants, theaters, parks, hospitals, places of worship, and transportation options. The area boasts a variety of dining choices ranging from Italian groceries to burger joints to upscale culinary experiences. Nearby medical facilities like Azam Medical Clinic and Greenbaum Surgery Center provide quality healthcare services for seniors. Additionally, recreational activities can be enjoyed at Tempe Beach Park or Selleh Park. The close proximity to the airport may offer convenient travel options for those looking to explore or visit family. Overall, this part of Scottsdale provides a well-rounded community with everything seniors may need for comfortable living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Bikini Beans Espresso (0.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Infusion Coffee & Tea (2.6 miles)
• Cartel Coffee Lab (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Azam Medical Clinic (1 miles)
• Scottsdale Cardiovascular Center (1.8 miles)
• One Medical (3.2 miles)
• Momdoc-Women for Women (4 miles)
• Null (4.1 miles)
• 20/20 Image Eye Centers (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Defalco's Italian Grocery (1.2 miles)
• Playa III (1.4 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.5 miles)
• Bar Louie - Tempe Marketplace (2 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (2 miles)
• Twin Peaks Tempe (2 miles)
• Culinary Dropout (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Harkins Tempe Marketplace 16 (2 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Tempe (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Tempe Beach Park (2.2 miles)
• Selleh Park (3.9 miles)
• Blue Sky Airport Parking (4.2 miles)
• Daumler Park (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Greenbaum Surgery Center (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Community Center of Tempe (2.4 miles)
• Salt River Assembly of God (4.3 miles)
• Kingdom Hall (5 miles)

Transportation

• METRO University Dr /Rural (2.5 miles)
• The Centurion Lounge (4.4 miles)
• Concourse C (4.5 miles)
• Terminal 4, Concourse B (4.6 miles)
• Terminal 4 (4.6 miles)
• Admirals Club (4.7 miles)
• Terminal 4, Concourse D (4.8 miles)