United States
Florida (FL)
Jacksonville
Things to Do in Jacksonville
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jacksonville: Hours, Address, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary Reviews: 5/5

See all things to do

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

See all things to do
See all things to do
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
5
1,552
#2 of 173 things to do in Jacksonville
Nature & Wildlife Areas
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Visit website
Call
Email
About
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 in captivity. We do not breed, sell, or trade any of our animals. Our current residents include tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, servals, bobcats, foxes, and coatimundis. Check our website for the most accurate information; generally, we are open every day in the afternoon with admittance between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. You can also watch our Facebook Live tours on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 PM, and watch our Facebook Live night feeding fundraisers on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 PM.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Tours and Tickets

Popular mentions
5.0
1,552 reviews
Excellent
1,275
Very good
218
Average
44
Poor
9
Terrible
6
Scott
Cypress, CA81 contributions
Had a great time there
Jul 2021
This is a great experience. My first choice was the night feeding event, but my schedule just didn't work out. I am glad I still went during their daily hour. Volunteers are friendly and can answer any questions you asked them. Saw many beautiful big cats, including tigers, lions, foxes, bob cat, and more. Although some animals were resting, I think I saw animals more active here than in a zoo.

Highly recommend.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Philip O
6 contributions
Worth the visit
Jun 2021
This place is an amazing opportunity to see big cats up close. They rescue the animals from places that cannot take care of them. The money spent here goes to taking care of the animals.
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
l landis
2 contributions
Better than the zoo to see Big Cats
Jun 2021
Actually enjoyed this more than the zoo. Wish there was more to see but glad there is not as these are rescued animals. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SH
Tampa, FL133 contributions
Wild is preferred, but a good rescue overall
May 2021
A friend and I visited the sanctuary during a recent trip to Jacksonville. We both enjoyed being able to see the big cats up close. For only $12 per person, it's a great value - I also bought a t-shirt for $20 to help contribute. My friend, however, was really bothered by the enclosures and felt they were small for such big animals. While I definitely agree that in the wild is ideal, until the ownership of exotic animals is outlawed, we will unfortunately need sanctuaries to rescue the animals when the "owners" realize they are in over their heads. I was happy to see that the sanctuary is expanding to provide more space for the cats (and bear!). One negative that dropped a star for me was the employee who deliberately went around and tried to wake up the sleeping cats in response to some ignorant visitors' complaints that the animals weren't active enough for them. I would have preferred the employee remind the visitors that the cats aren't there to perform for them.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrea C
5 contributions
The happiest place to big cats
May 2021 • Family
This place is magical! You can see the love of this people for the animals, and viceversa. The lions and tigers are happy and not stressed at all. I definitely recommend to visit them!
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
whitneyncooper
Middleburg, FL67 contributions
Good Way to Spend an Afternoon
Apr 2021
Very educational. There is a good variety of animals to see: lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, foxes, and more. Admission price was very fair. I thought the enclosures a bit small for the animals, but they seemed to be under construction when we visited. There were also COVID protections in place, so a lot of it took place in a social distanced setting. Didn't need to spend as much time there as I expected, but it's a great way to spend an hour or two. They do great work, so I'm glad they seem to be looking to expand.
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nikki L
3 contributions
Heaven!!!!!!!! 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻
May 2021 • Friends
Greatest place in the whole world! Absolutely loved it. I love all the big cats and the little one at the front desk. The security guard who was giving out suntan lotion and bug spray ( sorry , he didn't tell me his name) oh my stars. And they have bears now too, lions tigers annndd bears 🐻 🥰👏 I love this place and you will too.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne J
Semmes, AL17 contributions
Loved it!
May 2021 • Friends
My daughter and I visited one afternoon recently and were happy we did. We tried to call before we went because we are both disabled and unable to walk far. Golf cart tours were advertised and we wanted to make sure we could get the tour. We got an answering machine but took the chance and drove on out to the sanctuary. There is a sign but this isn’t a big-time operation and it’s not fancy. It’s staffed by volunteers mainly who apparently do everything from cleaning out cages to manning the concession stand. At first the lady apologized profusely that no one was available to drive the 8 seater golf cart and we were about to leave when Natalie, who appeared to be on a break, offered to take us on the little golf cart. I think we got a tour that few others get! She told us about every animal, name, history, quirks, funny anecdotes, and sometimes in quite colorful language LOL. She answered our questions and seemed very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our visit immensely, thanks to Natalie and the staff’s efforts to assist us.
The animals are beautiful and looked to be well cared for and in good health. It’s worth the time to visit and we recommend it highly.
Written May 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Design Studio Architecture
8 contributions
Great
May 2020
These people are doing great work and providing an educational service to the public. I would recommend everyone to go check it out.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christy D
Indianapolis, IN4 contributions
Amazing place, up close with the big cats!
Apr 2021 • Family
We took our four kids for the evening feeding. It was fabulous! The volunteers were so friendly and told us about all the animals,and the feeding was so cool to watch. The animals were really active just ahead of feeding time, and they are so beautiful. Lots of tigers, a black spotted leopard, a black bear, artic foxes, bobcats, and more. It's not a huge place, but you really get to see the animals close. Better than any zoo, and we've been to a lot of those! Don't miss this one.
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,532
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing