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Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Big Cat Rescue operated in Tampa for 31 years, starting 11/4/1992 and closing permanently 11/4/2023. The cats have been moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs and Big Cat Rescue continues to fund conservation projects in the wild to save exotic cat species.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,222 reviews
Excellent
1,747
Very good
319
Average
103
Poor
20
Terrible
33
Cathikilian_1
Port Richey, FL28 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
So much fun! This was a guided tour of the rescue, and these tours are given anot every 20-30 minutes throughout the day Monday through Saturday. The Big Cat Rescue doesn't only rescue cats in Florida, they take cats from other states as well, and give them permanent homes for the remainder of their lives. These are animals rescued, not just in the wild, but from people who have removed wild cats from their native territory, or from people who have bought them (whether legally or not) and then abused or neglected them, and from zoo's or other rescue organizations who have overflow problems. They also have what they call the "kitten house", where they work in conjunction with the Humane Society to find homes for domestic kittens.
This rescue does such amazing work! If you have the opportunity, whether you're a Tampa Bay resident, or a visitor from somewhere else, you should plan a visit! Give yourself a minimum of 2 hours, and bring a few extra $ for the gift shop.
** If you are disabled, they provide the tour to you from the comfort of a golf cart. They also have devices for the hearing impaired.
Please visit to support this worthy cause. You won't be disappointed.
This rescue does such amazing work! If you have the opportunity, whether you're a Tampa Bay resident, or a visitor from somewhere else, you should plan a visit! Give yourself a minimum of 2 hours, and bring a few extra $ for the gift shop.
** If you are disabled, they provide the tour to you from the comfort of a golf cart. They also have devices for the hearing impaired.
Please visit to support this worthy cause. You won't be disappointed.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary P
Hernando, FL77 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a totally amazing facility. All the cats, big and small, are rescue cats and they all live in well-constructed “homes” with ample space. The cats even have space to “disappear” when they choose. The intern docent who led our tour was very well informed. Having the audio portion was also informative. The highlight was getting to look the cats right in the eye—an awesome experience. I especially enjoyed seeing the cats in the “vacation” area with so much acreage to run around—a clever concept well executed. The shop offered very nice souvenirs and we were reminded to be advocates for a new bill in Congress that bans private ownership of exotic cats.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jemgk
3 contributions
Feb 2020
Arranged tour for group of 8. Arrangements were easy to make on their website. Everyone enjoyed the tour and seeing the cats that were available for viewing. Volunteers led each tour and had good knowledge of the animals. Also had devices for each person to hear info at most of the animal enclosures.
Tour was supposed to be 1 1/2 hours, but we were finished in one hour. Perhaps the extra time was to enable answering guests questions, but it felt a bit short. Never the less we were all happy with the experience and highly recommend it to anyone interested in big cats. The facilities (entry area and gift shop) had been enlarged and improved since our last visit a few years ago.
They are to be commended for the work they do caring for and providing permanent home for these animals, many of which had been horribly mistreated.
Tour was supposed to be 1 1/2 hours, but we were finished in one hour. Perhaps the extra time was to enable answering guests questions, but it felt a bit short. Never the less we were all happy with the experience and highly recommend it to anyone interested in big cats. The facilities (entry area and gift shop) had been enlarged and improved since our last visit a few years ago.
They are to be commended for the work they do caring for and providing permanent home for these animals, many of which had been horribly mistreated.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S P
Lake County, FL15 contributions
Feb 2020
It's unfortunate that this place even has to exist, but it does and the crew here do an amazing job of taking care of/rescuing these big cats who would have otherwise certainly had a very dire existence. Some of the stories that brought them here are absolutely heartbreaking. We went on the feeding tour and the day tour, both were excellent and educational.
If you love animals as much as I do, then this is a MUST SEE! And just knowing the funds from your visit goes straight back into caring for these guys makes it all the better!
Don't listen to the negative reviews, they come from the kind of folks who enjoy more of a zoo setting, not what this place is about thank goodness!!!
Will definitely be back again.
If you love animals as much as I do, then this is a MUST SEE! And just knowing the funds from your visit goes straight back into caring for these guys makes it all the better!
Don't listen to the negative reviews, they come from the kind of folks who enjoy more of a zoo setting, not what this place is about thank goodness!!!
Will definitely be back again.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAA
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Extremely informative! Beautiful Big Cats... all staff are educated, informative & helpful. SUGGESTION; once a Month, during the FULL MOON, host a Big Cats at Night!! See these beautiful cats in their nocturnal environment... highly recommend this activity.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian B
Plymouth, MN3 contributions
Jan 2020
We recently visited Big Cat Rescue. It was amazing! Sue was our lead and did an awesome job getting the Cats out to where we could see them - especially the Ocelot that doesn't like to come out during the day. They are very conscious of the animals and this is a no touch facility. I was impressed with how much space the cats have. Awesome experience!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
Took my brother there as a Christmas gift. We live close to Big Cat Rescue and they always show the best things on tv and in ads. We walked quite a ways before we saw any animals. Most that we did see were sleeping and we were rushed along. The girl that did our tour started talking before the whole group had got together and stopped walking and you could not hear her at all so we missed out on a lot. We returned to the end point a half hour early as we were on an hour and a half tour. Very disappointed.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teddy S
Longboat Key, FL351 contributions
Aug 2022
We visited the Big Cat Rescue and had a great time! We fed the bears and saw some of their shows. They shows were fun although got a bit "preachy" which I guess I can understand.
The animals appear to be well taken care of. The price was a tad high, but we understand that caring for all the animals is expensive, so viewed it as such.
The grounds were bigger than I expected and lots of animals to see. The kids had a good time.
The animals appear to be well taken care of. The price was a tad high, but we understand that caring for all the animals is expensive, so viewed it as such.
The grounds were bigger than I expected and lots of animals to see. The kids had a good time.
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra H
Johnston, IA19 contributions
Jan 2020
We took the Keeper Tour at the Big Cat Rescue and it was worth it! Also, think of it this way - anything you spend there on their tours benefits the cats, so it is a win all around. We were so impressed with their humane facilities and really enjoyed the stories about their residents. We learned a lot, but my two main take-aways were: 1) The cute little "pet a cub" places are not humane, and they contribute to the problem of the abuse of these majestic cats. and, 2) Hybrids such as Savannah Cats are the worst idea ever; they can never be properly domesticated.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G2655BWgaryk
Clearwater, FL641 contributions
Feb 2020
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa Florida provides a valuable service to animals in need of immediate car. It is a must go to attraction. Your attendance will assist them in proving continued care for these animals.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dd
Staten Island, New York
Is it open currently? The website says it’s closed for Covid.
Written January 17, 2022
Regina M
Kentucky
Does anyone know the price for adults and children tickets? I couldn’t find it on the website.
Written May 7, 2021
Hola! Quisiera hacerte una pregunta, el boleto se puede comprar en la entrada o toca online? Y que precio tenia cuando fuiste?
Written October 27, 2019
Both, I do not remember the exact cost but BCR website offers a breakdown of their fees. IMO it is a worthy cause.
Written November 1, 2019
What time of day did you go on your tour (morning or afternoon)?
Written October 3, 2019
I did a private tour at 9 am and a public tour at 3 pm. I would recommend a keeper tour or a public tour if you have never been. I did the private tour because I had specific cats I wanted to see. I am going back again next month and will basically do all the tours
Written October 10, 2019
If my daughter is 6, are we unable to visit during the week?
Written July 29, 2019
Yes. I like during the week. I was in a Group with young children.😊
Written August 3, 2019
Hi, thank you for your question. We offer guided educational tours to see the cats. Each tour is different.
The DAY TOUR is a 1.5-hour walking tour.
The FEEDING TOUR is a short tour 1-hour tour that focuses only on the cats on a designated feeding route.
The PRIVATE TOUR is a 1-hour long and you see the same things you would see on a regular tour. The difference is that you have the tour guide all to yourself and you can see the cats that most interest you.
The KEEPER TOUR (my purr-sonal favorite) is our is the most exclusive behind the scenes experience.
The NIGHT TOUR is a 1-hour walking tour after dark, come experience the big cats at night! This is a flashlight tour, a very unique experience.
The KIDS TOUR is a 1-hour tour and is geared toward children under ten.
The only two tours that children under the age of ten can attend are the Kids Tour and the Private Tour.
Check out our other tour options on our website and get more details about those mentioned above. Tours are given by reservation only.
Written June 8, 2019
Hi, THANK YOU for asking a question. Tour prices vary depending on which tour you choose to take.
Let me know if there will be any children under the age of ten with you so I can give you information about the correct tours.
Please feel free to ask any questions you might have.
Written June 8, 2019
The easiest thing for you to do is to pull up Google Maps and input the address you are coming from then input our address to get exact directions.
Our Address is:
Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy Street
Tampa, Florida 33625
Written May 13, 2019
Is this an all day event? Do we need reservations?
Written March 3, 2019
Hi, thank you for your question. We offer guided educational tours to see the cats. Each tour is different.
The DAY TOUR is a 1.5-hour walking tour.
The FEEDING TOUR is a short tour 1-hour tour that focuses only on the cats on a designated feeding route.
The PRIVATE TOUR is a 1-hour long and you see the same things you would see on a regular tour. The difference is that you have the tour guide all to yourself and you can see the cats that most interest you.
The KEEPER TOUR (my purr-sonal favorite) is our is the most exclusive behind the scenes experience.
The NIGHT TOUR is a 1-hour walking tour after dark, come experience the big cats at night! This is a flashlight tour, a very unique experience.
The KIDS TOUR is a 1-hour tour and is geared toward children under ten. It is also the only tour children under ten can attend.
Check out our other tour options on our website and get more details about those mentioned above. Tours are given by reservation only.
Written May 13, 2019
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