Gift Shop

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am to 3pm.

Welcome to the MARS Visitors Centre Gift Shop, where every purchase makes a difference in the lives of animals in need! Our shop is a great place to buy souvenirs; and it’s a haven for those passionate about conservation and wildlife rehabilitation. We carry a wide assortment of eco-friendly merchandise and handcrafted goods from Northern Vancouver Island and the surrounding area. From plush toys inspired by our resident animals to locally sourced artisanal crafts, to guides and tools for your own wildlife adventures; every item reflects our commitment to conservation.

Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers are always on hand to share stories about the animals we care for and the rehabilitation efforts underway. Beyond being a retail space, our Gift Shop serves as a vital source of support MARS Wildlife Rescue. With every purchase, customers directly contribute to the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Whether it’s funding medical supplies, building enclosures, or providing nutritious food, the proceeds from our shop play a crucial role in giving animals a second chance at life in the wild. By shopping with us, visitors not only take home meaningful mementos but also become valued partners in our ongoing efforts to protect and preserve wildlife for generations to come.

Note: Food crumbs attract insects that are a constant threat to our taxidermy mounts so we do not sell or allow food in our exhibits hall. You are welcome to bring a lunch to eat outside at one of our picnic tables or benches. Please pack out what you bring in.

Visitors browsing a wildlife gift shop with souvenirs, books, and plush toys

Selected Items for Sale

Our gift shop celebrates our love of wildlife. We carry original paintings, sculpture, and photography by local artists, and books and guides for all ages about wildlife and nature. Kids’ toys and games are popular items. We also have tee-shirts, hats, puzzles and a number of locally made pieces of jewelry and clothing.

Gift shop display with books, toys, and handmade crafts
Adult t-shirts with nature and outdoor-themed graphics

Adult T-Shirts

Land and Sea Graphics

Handmade handbags created by volunteers

Handbags

Made by the Mars volunteer sewing team

Children’s t-shirts with wildlife-themed designs

Children’s T-Shirts

Wildlife Themed Graphics

Plush bird toys in a soft nest

Plush Birds

Audubon Plush Birds

Driftwood owl wall hanging made from natural wood pieces

Driftwood Hangings

Hand-Painted Owls

Colorful bird-shaped glass earrings inspired by wildlife

Recycled Glass Earrings

Inspired by our Ambassador birds

Art cards featuring wildlife photography and illustrations

Art Cards

Local Artist and Photographers

Stack of colorful hand-knitted dish cloths

Dish Cloths

Locally Hand-Knit

Wildlife guide books for birds, trees, and plants

Wildlife Guides

Reference Books for Exploring Nature

Family playing a card game together

Card Games

For Kids and Adults

Bird identification field guide books for coastal species

Bird Identification Books

West Coast Focus

Assorted plush animal toys including lion, fox, and elephant

Stuffies

Mammals, Reptiles and Birds

Baseball caps with simple outdoor and nature-inspired designs

Ball Caps

Mars Wildlife Rescue

Hand-knit owl hats with detailed crochet design

Hand-Knit Owl Hats

Get them while they last!

Sticker design featuring British Columbia wildlife and nature illustrations

Vancouver Island Stickers

Graphics by Nicola North

Framed wildlife poster featuring Pacific Northwest animals

Posters

West Coast Wildlife

Handmade soap bars with natural ingredients and herbs

Handmade Soap

Qualicum Soapworks

Wooden coasters engraved with wildlife designs including bear, moose, and salmon

Wooden Coasters

Wildlife Graphics