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Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary: Traveler Reviews

1860 Starratt Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226
904-757-3603
Website
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Ranked #1 of 77 attractions in Jacksonville
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Owner description: Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big... more » Owner description: Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big cats, and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and captivity. We do not breed, sell, or trade any of our animals. Our current residents include tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, arctic foxes, and coatimundis (the last two are “honorary cats”). We are only open on select days, so please see our website for hours of operation! « less
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181 reviews from our community

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Maryville, Illinois
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
“Very cool!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 1, 2013

This was an awesome spot to see lions and tigers closer than I ever had before. Kids ages 13, 11, and 3 all thought it was cool too! It was plain to see that all the volunteer workers there really cared about and had fun with what they do. I was apprehensive when I got there, this place has no paved lot and looked like a traveling circus in the middle of a residential area. Would have also liked to have had a good presaged photo op (maybe with a real tiger?) as it does already seem like a touristy thing to do... Like St Augustine's Alligator Farm.

Visited January 2013
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jennadelane, Volunteer at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, responded to this review
February 8, 2013
We're so glad that you came out and that everyone enjoyed their visit! It is actually illegal for the public to have contact with the animals, so photo opportunities of that type are not available. It is also not in their (or your!) best interests to offer them. We want a safe and secure environment for our animals and for the public! We do welcome photos though if anyone wants to take them during their tour! Thanks so much again for visiting! We hope to see you again soon!
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Jacksonville, Florida
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
“Great Experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 31, 2013

The volunteers do a great job with these big beauties!! We enjoyed every moment, and would ask that anyone interested in helping out, please do. Money goes a long way in, and you can see that it is going to a good cause. Great to see the night feeding, so try to plan for that as well.

Visited January 2013
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 11 more reviews by StevenC113 for Jacksonville
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Jacksonville, Florida
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“this is the cat's meow”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 29, 2013

I will be taking everyone I know to this venue. Beautiful, healthy animals; helpful, knowledgeable staff; clean. A must see! See them up close and hear the lions roar -- it's a never to forget experience.

Visited October 2012
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marlboro, New Jersey
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“The lion roared!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 28, 2013

We read about this on tripadvisor. It lived up to its billing as the top attraction in the city. My wife is a biology teacher and loved seeing the cats up close. We came for the night feeding, which was amazing. The director walked among the lions and tigers inside the cage and handed the cats their chicken for the night (it was great, but I think he is crazy). It was fun to see the big cats get their neck and manes rubbed by workers like regular cats. Kids would love this.

Visited January 2013
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jennadelane, Volunteer at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, responded to this review
February 8, 2013
We're so glad you enjoyed your tour! We only have a couple handlers that are allowed to touch the animals, of course our Executive Director Curt is one of them. The animals do enjoy the attention and the scratching! Thanks so much for visiting us!
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Terrebonne, Canada
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“A place to see!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 27, 2013

I loved Catty Shack Ranch. The price is half what you would pay to go in a zoo, they have lions, tigers, cougars, fox, etc. They have a wide variety of animals and I highly suggest going for the night feeding. The animals are very active and expressive. There are only volunteers there so the staff is very friendly and helpful. Obviously a nice place to bring the family.

Visited January 2013
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
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