Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary Reviews

Unique sanctuary for big cats and a few other fortunate animals. Not like a typical zoo but more of a rescue for animals who were once pets that people realized they couldn’t handle or from zoos that closed or affected by hurricane. So heartwarming to see the care these people show for the animals and the life they provide them. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Small but worth it if you’re looking for something to do for an hour or so

The Halloween activity the Caddyshack puts on each year is really excellent! The Haunted Trail is too scary for the little ones, and scary enough for the big ones to get the crap started or off them! Our 5-yo loves to use this as the dress rehearsal for the Big Night! Add the fact that the Big Cats are prowling in their habitats, how could you go wrong?!

The tour telling us about each cat, how they give them boxes with hiden treats, and the different smells they like.

The animals were incredibly close. Within 10 feet. The affection between the animals and the staff was amazing.

It was so awesome to be close up to the animals. What a wonderful experience. The staff was friendly and informative.

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.

Went for the tour and the night feeding. It’s definitely an exceptional place to visit. All the cats (and the foxes) were beautiful to see. Definitely a place for persons of any age to visit. The volunteers are very dedicated and informative. Make sure you stay for the feeding.

We visited on Sunday afternoon. Best day/time to visit as volunteers do enrichment activities with the animals and you get to see them interact. Such a great place to learn about big cats, small cats and other animals.

Night feeding was awesome. Highly recommend to anyone. Really cool seeing the trainer pet the lions and how much they care for the animals.

Drove up from Orlando to spend some time with the big and little cats. Fairly easy to get to and was smart to buy online tickets ahead. Even though they were busy it never felt overcrowded.

Workers seem to take really good care of the animals there and it was a wonderful experience to see so many tigers in one place.

Would go back again if ever in the area and highly recommend visiting if anywhere near Jacksonville

It's all a bit under built, but being a not for profit it is dependent on funds from others. The animals themselves seem well cared for and loved. The volunteers were very passionate about the work they do. The night feeding tour was interesting with lots of opportunity to see the big cats being fed. Just be aware you are walking dirt paths and the animals are in chain link cages. They are building better accommodations so it's a work in progress. Go and support this effort to provide the best possible life they can for these animals.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover the ranch. The staff and volunteers were extremely knowledgeable and kind. All of the tenants that were rescued and/or surrendered appeared to well cared for. It’s very clear that the sanctuary’s donations are being put to good use. The newest enclosures are a very nice upgrade and will make happy homes for a few.

Kudos to the folks that make this possible

My husband and I had an amazing experience at the night feeding tour! The volunteers answered so many questions and the tour and feeding were beyond memorable. Each tiger has its own unique personality and seeing them enjoy dinner up close is amazing. I highly recommend Catty Shack to anyone visiting Jacksonville. I am humbled too by the care and love for these animals by the staff.

We went to the St Augustine Wildlife Reserve in the afternoon and it was incredible. As such you can't help making comparisons when we came here for the evening tour on the same day. The tour didn't feel as good but this was partly cos of the tour group size and also they weren't as focused on hearing the animals life stories. One adult person asked their friends 'was that a tiger? `and then said I didn't realise they were so large. However the stars of the show, the animals, were incredible and no doubt the evening animal feeding was awesome and definitely memorable. If back in the area this will be a must see attraction

Came from San Diego and decided to see the Cattyshack and I'm sure glad I did. The people love their animals and take a lot of pride in expanding their habit for the animals comfort. They had beautiful animals and you can tell they loved their surroundings and people working there. I recommend anyone visiting to go there and see the wonderful things they accomplished for the wildlife

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.

We took my nephews and sister in law when they came down over the summer. It was the first time we had been on the tour. So cool to listen to the stories of each animal and watch a feeding. So glad a safe place like this is available for the large cats that have no where else to go.

We visited with our granddaughters last week and were very impressed with the amazing care these creatures receive on a budget of donations only. Volunteers are everywhere caring for the animals and leading the tours. We learned lots on the forty-five minute tour then were welcomed to wander around on our own taking photos. We did not visit for a feeding which we have heard is quite exciting, but the afternoon visit was fun for all.

This is a great experience. I've been multiple times and enjoyed it every time. The animals are beautiful and it's awesome to see them up close. The tours are informative and the whole thing is cool.

We love animals. However, we avoid zoos. However, every chance we get to observe animals in their natural habitat or patronize wildlife rescue centers or animal sanctuaries, we do. The Catty Shack Ranch is small but cute. We definitely recommend visiting. The animals are great and it helps their bottom line.

We had a very nice time here. The Cats were adorable. My girls really enjoyed it. I would recommend them.

We went for the night feeding- it was a little crowded, so you may want to choose a weeknight that isn't during Spring Break. Even so, we were able to get right up to the fence and watch the feedings. The animals seemed happy and affectionate with the volunteers. Beautiful creatures!

This big cat sanctuary is one of the best I have every been to. It's a non-profit 501, all volunteer and very well managed. It's worth the entrance fee, you get up close and personal to all of the big cats. Tigers, Lions, Panthers, Bob Cats and more. It was a great adventure to witness evening feeding. It was amazing.

We lived here for almost 20 years, but never made it to Catty Shack before. That was a mistake. This place offers visitors a chance to see many different big cats (plus a few other animals) in a well-kept environment. But the lasting impression is how much the staff (mostly volunteers) cares about the animals. We left with a very positive feeling.

This is a great place to go learn about wild cats and the measures being taken to protect them. It is much diferent than a zoo, you are actually a lot closer to these wild cats. It was very neat seeing them more active than what I am used to in my own local zoo. I highly suggest you purchase tickets online prior to arriving, much faster entry.

Super nice place with a great mission. Went there for the night feeding and we all enjoyed it. Admission includes a t-shirt, sno cone, bug spray and sunscreen. All the employees were very nice and knowledgeable. All the animals looked well cared for and were active. The bad reviews must be from radical animal rights activists because the enclosures looked big enough and nice enough to me.

Friday night less crowded than Saturday. Friendly and informative staff. All ages enjoyed themselves.

I went to this place to volunteer. I was amazed by the beautiful animals I saw. The Tigers were just amazing to see close up Also, to watch them at feeding time blew me away. This is a great place for family time and to bring your grandchildren. love this place and I visit every chance I get.

I love how every penny goes in to the big cats and other few inhabitants from tickets to merchandise!!!! This is NOT fly by night trade animals kinda place. Each you see here has a a”FUREVER” home. They are in the process of expanding and it’s so wonderful!!!! This was my 2nd time there bringing family. What an awesome time for such a small price!!!! These people are saints to the animals!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE NIGHT FEEDING!!!! @chattyshakranch that’s for all you guys and gals do!!!

We went on New Years Day which was Wednesday. Went to a night time tour so we could watch the feeding of the animals. 6:00 p.m. was a good time to go. We took the tour and then had time to go back and look at the animals we wanted to look at before the feeding, The handler that feeds them came around before the feeding and they were all happy to see him. We have never seen a lion jump that high in the air like a dog seeing its owner after a long day. We stayed by the three amigos (3 tigers) before and during feeding time. They were really active and played almost the whole time before they were fed. Wife and daughter really enjoyed.

My sister took me here as I told her several times about how great Big Cat Rescue (in tampa) was but believe me when I say you are better off not coming here. The first thing I noticed when we arrived was the place looking like something very improvised as the "reception" was a big tent. After walking there for a while (waiting for the feeding tour to start, which by the way started without anyone telling you so and you had to figure that out by following the golf cart with the food), I saw two guys -that seemed to be the owner and his son- petting the tigers and by "petting" I mean literally getting their arms through the fences and touching the animals which not only is dangerous but also misleading as that might give uninformed people the idea that big cats are NOT wild animals and that it's okay to treat them as if they were your regular domestic dog.
In terms of the size of the cages, the living room in my house is bigger than where a 200kg tiger is kept in this place. On top of that, they hand feed them through "holes" in the fence (specifically made for this purpose apparently) which again, is the exact opposite of what everybody tells you to do when working with animals.
Additionally, I'm far from being a wildlife expert but the behavior of the cats indicated they were not comfortable at all as 1) two of them kept marking the territory (which is a clear sign of having to many animals in the same reduced space), 2) they kept walking against the fence back and forth and 3) one of them started roaring as soon as the guy that looked like the owner left the food and it was clearly not happy at all about having 30 people within 1.5mts of him and his food.
I strongly believe this place should be reviewed by the corresponding governmental institution to ensure all these things are actioned on or close the place as I doubt this is how these animals should be taken care of.
The only positive thing I can mention about this place is how friendly the staff was.

We decided to go to a night feeding and had a great time, even in the rain.
The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The sanctuary is outdoors, but they do sell ponchos if it’s raining. There is also a fair style food truck, and the bathrooms are more like an RV bathroom than a port-o-potty.
It was raining during our visit, and the paths were quite muddy, but they will swap ticket days if you have the availability to do that. Otherwise, the feeding goes on raining or not.
You’ll be amazed at all the details the guides give you, and at how close you are to the cats. There are multiple fences, so don’t be concerned with somehow being clawed or them getting through.
The caregivers clearly are attached to the cats and many of the cats displayed affectionate behavior with them as well. They don’t cheek rub with just anyone! A couple of them actually went into the enclosures to hand feed the lion and a tiger.
We had a lot of fun, got some good information, and to see these amazing animals close up.

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The Sanctuary is a wonderful way to get to know some beautiful well cared for animals up close! The walk around is self guided but there are volunteers to answer questions throughout. A great place for children to see animals up close and learn a few facts! Sunday afternoon they had an enrichment activity and it was a great experience watching the big cats enjoy a treat! Very nice place and economical too!! Great date night activity, too!

I enjoyed the visit. It was interesting to see the animals up close, learn about them and watch them eat.

We took a guest to Friday Feeding Nights. Be prepared Catty Shack isn’t a zoo. The cats are kept in wire enclosures however they are not small and there are wooden platforms and shelters for weather protection or a nice place to nap. The cats, mostly tigers, leopards and one old male lion appear to be healthy and active. There is a guide who shares information about each cat. The feeding consisted of tubs of raw chicken and supplements. All in all a visit to Catty Shack Is fun, educational and a good value for the money

Seeing the big cats up close. Cats were well kept. The volunteers were knowledgeable and answered all our questions about the different cats. Other recused animals were also well maintained.

The animals were awesome and the guides along the trail were knowledgeable and helpful! Worth the hour and some change!

The Catty Shack Ranch rescues all types of big cats. They come to the ranch and live a life filled with love, respect and great care. The staff and the many volunteers who work with the animals are well informed and you see their love demonstrated. They offer a night time feeding experience that I would highly encourage all to attend.

My kids and I went for an afternoon tour and had a great time! The volunteers were very friendly and informative, and there were so many big cats to see. We will definitely be making another trip soon :)

A wonderful way to spend a few hours! Beautiful cats and very knowledgable volunteers made our visit a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended!

The kitty cats were the closest I’ve ever seen. Amazing. It doesn’t have all the amenities like a zoo but it’s also relies solely on donations. In the process of building more habitats. Went from 5 acres to over 100 acres. So not to small either. All personnel are volunteers and it shows how much they care.

This is a little out of the way, but it is super nice - a sanctuary for rescued animals, mostly tigers, all of whom looked clean, well kept, and well fed. The staff - and volunteers- were obviously knowledgeable and passionate. A really nice visit. Highly recommend.

I am so glad I made the trip to Catty Shack. The staff running the place was on top of everything and provided a great tour of the cats. The tour began with a short video and after the tour, you are free to revisit any of the animals. I was surprised by how close we were able to view them...never have been this close to big cats at a zoo. The male tigers were enormous! I was so moved by the work being done here, that I paid to adopt/support Freddy, one of the male lions. If I lived in Florida, I would volunteer my time here.

This is a wildlife sanctuary unlike any other! I've never seen so many big cats in one place, including zoos. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable about each individual cat and there is always someone close by who is happy to answer any question you might have. This is not a fancy place, but the cats have enough room and even bigger enclosures were being built while we were there. None of the animals have ever lived in the wild, but there are some enrichments provided to allow the cats to behave as cats. We were there in the afternoon when the cats were being fed "snacks" (a piece of raw chicken) to move them into a smaller enclosure so the large enclosure could be cleaned. They also enjoyed interacting with the staff, of course with a fence between them. You just have to see it!

We loved the night time feeding at Catty Shack Ranch. It’s like nothing that we had ever done. Such a wonderful treat.

This is a must stop if you are in the Jacksonville area. It is awesome to see the animals up close. All the people that work there are volunteers and they really love and care for the animals.

Check out the night feedings. Everything Catty Shack does is to help and protect the animals that can not do it themselves. The staff and owner are amazing caring individuals.

We were told that the night feeding would be a better time to see the animals but, unfortunately, our schedule did not permit. We still got to see many of the animals but many were sleeping in the shade and we were not far behind. We were definately impressed by the enhancements made to the enclosures for the animals and we would go again, just in cooler weather.

Depends on what you like, if you like wild animals and you like to see them fed then going at night is pretty good. It is in the middle of the woods so it is very hot. The attention span for little children is about 20 minutes and they start complaining of the heat. I think adults will enjoy it more than children

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.

Stopped by on our way through Jacksonville because our 4 year old loves tigers. The tour was really informative, but the highlight was night feeding. Little one loved watching the animals devour their food and ‘talk’ with the handlers.

My husband and I went to the Catty Shack at 8pm on 10/13/18 to see the Sanctuary and explore the Haunted Forest (only avail select dates in Oct). We loved it. It’s a great place for any age. The Haunted Forest was awesome! They put so much effort into it and I definitely got scared a lot. Haha! A big thank you to the volunteers who make this happen, your efforts do not go unnoticed. Thankful that displaced animals have places like this.

Walk into the ranch with a guide and see Siberian Tigers growl and lions roar. Father's Day Dads got free admission and other adults $10. Watch out for tigers spraying the crowds. The tigers like swimming so take photos of the Wisconsin cheese named tigers frolicking in the pool. Snack time for the animals means little treats in giant cardboard boxes so you watch the tigers tear up the boxes. If you have any old perfume or cologne you do not wear Catty Shack accepts donations and sprays it in the animal housing to stimulate the senses of the big cats.

I visited with my husband and adult daughter, and we loved our time spent at the sanctuary, seeing the animals (mostly big cats) up close and personal. The volunteers on hand were so informative and friendly, and they all obviously share a love of all things Catty Shack.

We had an awesome experience. The staff is great and it was amazing seeing all the wild cats they have rescued!

Superb place. Firstly, it’s not for profit and secondly it’s run by volunteers, so you really are helping out these wonderful animals. Thumbs up guys.

This is a small non-profit sanctuary run by a single family that helps to rescue big cats and some smaller, unique, animals. It is amazing to see so many tigers in one place. This is not a zoo, and the animals are not for sale or trade. Once they are on site, they stay there for life. They have a wonderful Halloween event there that helps them to earn extra money for the upkeep of the grounds and animals. There is a small gift shop on site as well. Very friendly for young children, scout groups, and elementary school field trips.

Fantastic time at Catty Shack Ranch. The animals were easy to see and you have opportunities to get close. The big cats are beautiful. The grounds are clean. The staff takes all the time you need to answer your questions. Highly recommend this adventure.

I took my wife here after a week long business trip because it was rated the number one thing to do in Jacksonville on trip advisor. We both love big cats and thought this would be cool. When we arrived we weren't sure what to think because it seemed very unassuming from the parking lot. After the short video our guide took us back to see the big cats. It's almost indescribable how amazing the animals are, but how incredible the staff is. All of them are volunteers who care so much about these beautiful creatures and they take the time to walk around and educate you about the animals. I can't wait to go back with my kids so they can see just how majestic they are and meet the great, kind and caring employees. This truly is a must do if you're in Jacksonville!

A fun visit. Several of the tigers were playful and provided great entertainment for us. There is a variety of big cats to see. I look forward to the sanctuary's expansion so the cats will have bigger enclosures to live inside.

My husband and I went here yesterday, because we heard so many good things about it. It was even better than we expected! The lady at the front who greeted us was very nice, the grounds are very clean and all the volunteers were very helpful. They’re actually building brand new habitats for all the animals And they are wonderful! It’s got a pool and plenty of shade and there’s even a little house that they can go in, very, very nice facilities that they’re putting at the sanctuary. Highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates people who take in exotic, big cats and other animals to care for them

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary packs in a lot in a small area. They have facilities, very good staff, concession. The Tigers and cats are the main attractions.

I took my 13 year old daughter to visit the sanctuary while we were in the area for fall break. She's a big cat lover so she really enjoyed it.

We had an amazing experience! A volunteer named Natalie came by and started telling us about the animals, their names, where they came from, and their personalities. It made the interesting and unique visit from great to Exceptional! Make sure to ask for Natalie!!

My son and his girlfriend took me to Catty Shack for my birthday. It was an amazing experience! Its bittersweet knowing these beautiful animals were selfishly taken from their natural environment but lucky to have ended up at such a wonderful sanctuary where they are well taken care of. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the place and all the keepers and employees were so friendly and seemed eager to be there. I highly highly recommend this place. All proceeds go back into the sactuary. They are building new, larger enclosures for animals which goes to show the dedication in providing a good quality of life! Bring your family, great for kids!!

Staff was very nice , when you come in you pay and they direct you exactly where to go. They have a small concession with decently priced snacks. But the busy part is as soon as you clear the brown gate and immediately see a big tiger , he was breath taking! The workers were so nice , funny while feeding all the big cats. Very beautiful place and definitely worth a visit.

This place was the perfect little stop on our vacation. The tour was only from 1 to 3 o’clock, which is perfect for a hot Florida day. I felt so confident in the facilities and their treatment of the animals. Each enclosure has so many cool perches, swimming ponds, and hiding spots for the animals. They are well-loved and there is so much information about the way the animals are treated and how they are cared for in general. The staff there have such kindness in their hearts, and in the way that they talked about the animals. This is a wonderful sanctuary for animals who needed to be rehomed, and rescued from other facilities. My children learned so much about the value of rescuing animals, as well as the humane treatment of wild animals once they can no longer be reunited with their natural habitat.

The gift shop was super reasonable price-wise, and I bought my mother a baseball hat, since her favorite animal is a tiger. My kids also got snowcones, and we enjoyed sitting in the shady eating area with some wonderful blowing fans. It was lovely.

Credit card payments are accepted, and there are clean bathrooms and lots of shade. There is even sunscreen and bug spray available for use at no charge. We bought our tickets online, and it was super easy once we arrived to get checked in. You can also buy tickets there. I’m so glad that we went here on our trip to Jacksonville! Highly recommend!

I’m baffled as to why this “sanctuary” has rave reviews. It’s an underwhelming place with a bunch of animals pacing in cages.

Seeing the big cats get their night feed was impressive. There is genuine affection from the staff for their charges but I was concerned about the amount of animals that seemed to have medical conditions. I understand most of them are rescues, which is a noble thing to do, but I think there has to be some discussion about whether it is fair to keep some of the cats alive if their quality of life is not good? The jury is still out on this one ........

Catty Shack is a little hidden gem. We came for a work volunteer event and were able to take a tour afterwards. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable of the animals. It was neat to see the big cats up close.

Defitely go for the feeding! The Cats are Beautiful and Well Taken Care Of. A Night to Remember with Friends!

We love this place!! You get to see the big cats up close! The interaction between the handlers and the cats is amazing to watch. I love that the entrance fee goes to support such a wonderful cause! Every time we have out of town guests come to visit, we bring them to Catty Shack! Highly recommend this hidden treasure!

We were enthralled with the facility and the caring mission. Got to see rescued big cats and hear their stories. Will definitely be back.

These people do some great work with big cats that are rescued. They rescue them from private owners, zoos that have closed and areas that have been hit by hurricanes. The cats are beautiful and the staff is very knowledgeable. They pamper these cats and are constantly upgrading their enclosures. All the people working there are volunteers. This was a gem and I am glad I visited them

My family was visiting from Seattle with 3 kinds ages 3, 5, and 9. We did a night tour of Cattyshack. It was a lot of fun seeing and learning about the animals there. And we got to see them being fed which was super cool. Some of the lions started roaring really loud, which is something you dont see at a zoo! My whole family had a great time!

I loved seeing how the animals had places to bathe and places.to sleep in shaded areas. Animals were all healthy looking .

I was amazed at the facilities and care for the big cats and other animals. This was my first visit and I plan to come back. Gail, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and friendly. We were lucky to have her as our guide.

We went as a family when our granddaughters were in town for a visit. And being a party of 7, ranging in age 9 -58; each of us throughly enjoyed the Sanctuary. We were lucky enough to be there during one of the Large Cats feeding and it was AMAZING! Their ROARS will shake you ...going again this holiday season!

We went for the night time feeding which incorporates a free t-shirt and drink. If you like to ogle big cats what is there not to like? Beautiful animals just don't get in the way of them and their food, lol. Volunteers there love the animals and all seemed helpful.

While in the Jacksonville area we took a ride over to Catty Shack Ranch, really cool experience. Admission was only $10 dollars each (we booked online, it saved time) . It says online tours start at 6pm, we arrived about 5:45 which was perfect timing as they were parking people and letting them in a bit early to get the tours going. We started with a 5minute video about the facility and its mission and then our guide gathered us up and began the walking tour. We saw most of the animals the facility cares for (a couple were asleep for the night) . Learned abt. the animals, the facility and their plans to expand. You are allowed to take pictures and videos, and when the tour is over you are free to go back and look at any of the animals you want on your own. Around 7:20 people start to gather for the feeding (at 7:30) . The staff work their way from cage to cage feeding the cats, you are free to follow along or skip a couple cages and move on down to your next favorite. The staff was super friendly and the enclosures were quite large, I would return and recommend it to my friends.

*Tip: Families with little ones, most of the children around us seemed to be having a great time but I did notice several getting fussy about "waiting" for the feeding, or having to stand/walk a lot, and wanting snacks (they do sell snacks on the property).

Though these are rescue cats they all have their own personalities and come from different situations and environments. The tour was very educational and feeding time was amazing. They are on schedule to feed and they know when it’s time to eat. The voluntary Staff are friendly and very familiar with each and every animal. As a local it was our First time visit and as a rescue which receives no government funds they do very well taking care of the animals on admissions, donations and adoptions. If in the area of the zoo it’s not too far but go to their web site and check the tour/feeding times. Senior military discounts accepted but the admission is like a donation. AMAZING. We did adopt Nira.

The way they love and care for the animals is touching and aspiring! Come for a beautiful experience and don’t forget do donate!

A must see! These beautiful cats are well taken care of, the volunteers really know the animals and do a great job of sharing about their history. Wear closed toed shoes, the paths are gravel and stuck under sandals. The three is the pool were rescued from my home state of WI.

I have been taking my kids here for years!!! It’s so close to home a better time then the zoo and you learn so much about the animals. Also the night feeding is a MUST

I had an awesome time visiting Catty Shack her in Jacksonville Florida. Staff was friendly and very informative, I would differently recommend it. .

I had never been here but brought our visiting cousin. We went for the tour and night feeding. It was just great. The volunteers are so good with guests and the big cats. Definitely worth a visit. I’ll go back and will donate to this very special sanctuary.

A wild animal sanctuary on the edge of bustling Jacksonville, Catty Shack Ranch is in the midst of renovating its animal enclosures to add log cabins, pools and waterfalls. The last-chance resort for more than just tigers, the grounds give shelter to foxes and a bear as well. These animals were often initially misplaced pets or rendered homeless when their facilities were damaged in storms or closed all together. This is not a zoo or breeding program. Open only 2 hours each day, the facility allows visitors self-guided tours supported by hard-working, knowledgeable volunteers. If you care about animals, this is a great place to stop and support.

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.

Catty Shack Ranch gives you a true no frills look at several species of big cats. They are none sedated animals being well cared for. Great opportunity to get up close with these magnificent animal. Could be muddy dress accordingly. They will take you around in a golf cart if your are handicap.

Awesome display of tigers and lions in close proximity to viewing. It’s better than a zoo and make sure you go to the time they are getting fed!

Nice well kept places beautiful cats and friendly staff!! wear close toes since trail is muddy when it has rained.

The cats were beautiful and this was the closest I have been to them. Feeding time was fun to watch
Highly recommend

This is always the go to place when company comes in town. You get to see all the lions, tigers, leopard, cougars, servals, Bobcats, and more. The animals are happy and love company. Night feedings are the most exciting time to visit because you get to watch these animals devour their raw food. You do not want to skip out on this opportunity.

This is a unique location in Jacksonville. The animals are majestic. The tour guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic in sharing the animals'history.The most exciting part, besides the feedings, was learning of the expansion plans.

I live in Jacksonville and have been to the Catty Shack many times!! There is always something interesting happening! When family visits from out of state, the first thing they want to do is go and see the cats!! Trust me, when you see the loving care that is lavished on these beautiful creatures, and what a wonderful life they have, you will want to come back again and again!💕

I travel to Jacksonville a couple times a year and this place has been on my bucket list of things to do and finally I got to do it. We went for the night feeding. It was great, the tour, the staff, the whole experience was more than I thought it would be. They do good work and a super job sharing their vision.

We went for a night feeding. The staff is so friendly and informative. The tigers enclosures are beautiful and you can feel the love the staff give them. Wonderful experience, supporting a great organization.

We took our 4, 6, and 11 year old here to view the tigers one evening for the feeding. They LOVED it! They could not wait until the feeding started and they were impressed. My only warning is that when we went the ground was very wet and there are no cement paths so expect to get muddy and your shoes dirty.

This was the second time that my husband and I came for the evening feeding, and we were just as impressed as the first time we visited! We were shown a short video, then given a tour prior to the feeding, introducing us to each animal and telling us the story of how each animal came to their facility. This is an amazing place with amazing volunteers taking care of them. Catty Shack is big cat sanctuary (they have non-feline residence as well) where they will live for the rest of their lives. They are all well cared for, getting proper medical attention and as we observed, getting plenty of food supplemented with vitamins stuck into their food. We saw the owner in the cages, and in one case, petting a big cat’s head as he was feeding. Wow! This is truly a testament to the relationship he has with these wild beasts. The aggressive growls and roars around dinner time were impressive. Catty Shack was, once again, the highlight of our Jacksonville trip!

Lots of big cats in a clean environment. Owner came around and walked into the enclosure with the cats and they seemed to know and love him. This is for sure a jewel for the Jacksonville area and you need it on your list of must do's.

Walked around. The animals weren’t active. But, I enjoyed the experience anyway. Loved seeing the lions.

Not 5 but 10 stars sanctuary. Me and my kids enjoyed 2 hours stay.Great and friendly employees are there to welcome you and answer all your questions. Highly recommended.

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!

We were visiting my brother in Jacksonville and he recommended that we check this place out. I’m so glad we did. The night feeding was amazing to watch as all the cats were active, unlike when you see them at zoos during the day. This facility clearly takes great care of their residents and the tour guide touched on the efforts the facility is making to ensure tigers and other cat species continue into the future.

We went for the evening experience. The close up view of so many big cats is awesome. Watching the feeding was fun. The staff and volunteers clearly care for the animals. It takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to fully experience.

Last night, my wife and I visited the sanctuary for the night feeding. It was a fantastic experience. They limit the group size to ensure that allows for social distancing and every one attending has an upfront view of these beautiful and very well cared for animals. Thanks to Kurt and son, and all the volunteers for what you do for these precious animals and sharing it with us. P.S. Dozier was my favorite.

Please visit Caddy Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary! It's out of the way and well worth the trip for everyone. The tours are very informative and I feel like I know each of the animals. My friend and I went to the nightime feeding which was such a treat. The animals are well cared for and it was fun to watch the staff interact with each of them.

We enjoyed our trip through this wild life sanctuary . I command people who help those animals for where else would they go? Donations are very much appreciated.

Our family was visiting from MN, and wanted to take them to something cool and never seen by them before. Did the day tour, and got to see them all feed, it was such an awesome site to see. Took so many wonderful pictures. The little ones had the tome of their life.

Be Sure to first check weather. Animal feeding happens rain or shine.
It was awesome to see the animal up close. We went for the night feeding. The animals were all pacing and running around. I find when you usually visit a zoo the animals are either sleeping or hiding. This was a treat. The staff was very informative. You take a quick tour of the facility. Tour guide tells story of how the animals got there. would recommend to families.

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.

Hard to believe in Jacksonville

Let alone in oceanway lololo

A real cool spot well worth time !!

Hidden in Oceanway on Starrat Rd a real gem.

A friend and I were in Jacksonville for the weekend. We had read about the Cattyshack Animal Rescue. This organization receives no government or grant funding. However, they accept animals from federal, State and local agencies. The owner, employees and volunteers care for the animals out of love and compassion. The love and bond between the owner and the animals is genuine and deep. This is truly a mission of love and commitment.The animals are well cared for. Staff is knowledgeable and willing to share. We attended the evening feeding. The animals were active, beautiful and enjoyable to watch. It is a must see when in Jacksonville.

A smaller facility but you can really see the big cats as well as a variety of smaller wild cats very up close. I don’t have the stamina to walk a zoo due to a bad. But this was a perfect size, very walkable, and more fun than I thought it would be.

Great evening! Wheelchair accessible. Lots to look at so many animals in this sanctuary. Interesting to watch the feeding in the evening .

As a Jacksonville local, this is one of my favorite places in town. We bring out of town guests here whenever they are visiting and always have an amazing time. Definitely the must thing to do in Jax!

These cats are well taken care of. They are all rescues and have lived in captivity since they were born and are unable to live in the wild. They are all from illegal pet situations or zoos or other rescues or urgent situations. They do not trade or sell the animals. Once they are there at Catty Shack, they live there for life. They are healthy looking and some have health issues that have nothing to do with Catty Shack. They have a good home and I will definitely return. They run on 100% donations and it’s an amazing place. Night time feeding is the best because all the cats are awake and you can get a good ,close look.

If you are in Jacksonville I would absolutely recommend you going to visit this place. It’s great what the guys for Catty shack are doing for these Cats. Me and my Family enjoy learning about the cats and seeing them close up.

The people here are amazing and super friendly. Way better than any zoo and the animals are friendly

How this place takes care of their animals is what makes this the best place in Jacksonville. The love can be felt from the moment you park your car. The animals are clearly very happy. They are active and lively. CSR does not breed, sell or exploit their animals. They are the forever home, protected and loved. Curt is the curator and he is amazing!

A truly memorable experience while visiting with my daughter in Jacksonville, together with my son and his wife and my granddaughters!

This place is so awesome! You learn about all the cats and other animals they have. The feedings are super cool. Definitely for families and friends! Would definitely come back!

The animals are loved and well cared for, go see their feeding tour, worth the visit. Volunteer staff were kind and knowledgeable.

We went to an evening feeding. The lighting was poor and only restroom facilities were porta potties. No real gift shop. Person leading the tour had a microphone full of static, so it was extremely hard to hear. Renovations were said to be forthcoming.

We showed up about 1245 and parking lot was about half full already. Gentlemen guiding traffic in parking lot was very nice and had a nice parking spot for us in the shade as I had my service dog with me and we were not taking him in. We walked to the entrance and were greeted by a lady that was very warm and informed us about the Sanctuary. We paid and watched a video then walked through the Sanctuary. We meet several volunteers and staff though out the Sanctuary and they were all very nice, informative and thankful for our visit. We enjoyed our walk and seeing the animals. Looks like they are working on improving many parts of the Sanctuary and building new enclosures. I would highly recommend a visit and supporting there work. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will return.

This is one of the coolest experiences I have had in a while! You are within 6 feet of tiger, lions, bears, and other big cats! That said, it is very safety done and the animals are well cared for. Highly recommend the Friday/Saturday night experience to witness the feeding time.

The go to place to learn about the variety of cats they have. Dr. Stuart gave a thorough tour. The whole staff was very kind. It was amazing seeing the beautiful Siberian tigers, cougars, lion, Panthers and foxes. I suggest attending the day and night feedings. I will return with my family soon.

The animals were well cared for and all looked healthy. The handlers seemed loved by all. We went on a night they allowed guests in to see the animals fed. It was well worth waiting for. We brought our grandchildren. It was informative and worth the visit. I would encourage all to visit and help support this worthwhile cause.

Today 10/6/19 my brother and I (both 30yrs-35yrs old) visited without knowing what to expect. We are nature/animal lovers and visit many sanctuaries, zoos, etc. This place is a hidden gem with a great mission. The animals are beautiful and the staff/volunteers are friendly and informative. Kudos to what they do!

Friendly accommodating staff. Great place to see big cats up close. Does require some walking but not too bad. Nighttime feeding never disappoints.

Catty Shack Ranch is a forever home for rescued big cats and other animals. You can see the passion and love for the animals in the faces of the volunteers, and in the way they care and talk about the animals. My daughter is a budding photographer and she also loved this place, as did my younger children. Thank you for doing what you do and educating people on the big cats. We can't wait to visit again. This review is from both Denise and Ru Huot (Ru's View Photography).

This place was fabulous!! The go above and beyond for the animals in their care. Very informative and will answer all your questions. So glad we stopped on the way to the airport .

We first pulled up and didn't know what to expect. From the 1st impression I was unsure what we spent money for. Then we went inside and was blown away by all the big cats and little ones too. The night feeding so cool and the family loved it. We got to see several cats show off their power and hear their roars. Will be back!

We drove down from Savannah for a night feeding. That's 2 hours one way - and if it were twice that, it would have been worth it.

I can't recommend this place enough. It earns 10 stars out of 5. Probably one of the best experiences I've had on vacation...and I've been all over Europe. (Disclaimer: I'm a crazy animal lover, so this kind of thing would rate higher than Disney, etc., for me in general any day - if you're not an animal lover, this might not be utterly amazing for you like it was for me.)

In short: the cats are magnificent in every sense of the word.

The tour guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and far more patient with people than I could ever be. (God bless them!) (Thank you, Gail!)

How can you not love standing 4' away from a gorgeous tiger sunning herself, or 4' from a sweet lion, or 4' from big cats playing with big balls in a pond w/a waterfall? Like seriously: how does it get better than this?

The answer: it doesn't.

It's rustic (wear mosquito repellent: my legs are all bitten up). But there are nice restroom facilities (my porta-potty was immaculate and had air conditioning: who puts ac in a porta-potty? So appreciated when it was 90 degrees outside!). Also, cotton white shoes aren't such a good idea - they'll get pretty dusty (and so will your feet if you wear flip flops: can't recommend them, either.)

They sell bottled water and light refreshments - note this.

Go.
Just go.
And get there at 5:55. Honest. Trust me.

SO recommended! <3 <3 <3

I visited the Shack for the second time (visited first 4 years ago) with my 16 and 15 YO daughters. It was HILARIOUS!! Started the evening tour at 6pm and stayed for the night feeding at 7:30. Worth every minute and $$. Left a nice donation st the exit, as it’s such an important place to reserve the wildlife!!

100% a must see if you are in Jacksonville! And be sure to be there at feeding time. The whole experience was perfect, just enough structure to be educational but you also got to take your time as well.

Not what I expected is a bit of an understatement.

I appreciate the fact that the animals are being cared for and that there is no breeding program.

Volunteers were great at sharing info.
It just left me somewhat sad to see the cats in such small quarters, pacing. Perhaps it is more about the opportunity to get a good look - close up. In that regard it delivers.

Confused why it scores so high - maybe I missed something.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon and had a really enjoyable visit. We learned some and saw lots of volunteers and staff who clearly care about animal welfare. The animals are well cared for and clean. Definitely go for feeding time/enrichment activities and bring water.

They were just amazing with our senior group. All the staff were attentive and they drove us around so our senior didn't have to walk.

Much larger than I had remembered. Many tigers, bears and even a black panther and various smaller animals. Good place to make a donation - you can see where your help is appreciated.

Catty Shack Ranch offers a completely unique experience! You are able to view tigers up close and personal. The staff (which are mainly volunteers) are a wealth of information and passionate about caring for the animals. As a visitor, you roam among an array of gorgeous and majestic animals that are obviously secured in large and spacious enclosures. This is a great day or night trip for solos, couples, and families. It's educational and very enjoyable. They have a limited snack bar and very cool gift shop.

I really enjoyed my visit and plan Togo again. I went to watch them be fed and really not as exciting as I expected but I do plan on regular visits in the future

We were visiting Jacksonville for the first time since 2001 when sightseeing research was non-existent. Enter TripAdvisor which recommended Catty Shack as one of the top attractions to see in Jax. After navigating crazy Jax traffic for three days, it was a pleasure to find CS on quieter Starratt Road.

Do not be put off by the entrance.
This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, open to the public since 2004, has plans to not only expand the sanctuary but to build a welcome center, add paved roads, expand the habitats and renovate some of the older habitats. The love and commitment of the volunteers belie the simple entrance. While online tickets are available, walk up tickets can be purchased for $12 per person. Do not miss the short introductory video (looped) before entering the sanctuary.

We appreciated the volunteers stationed throughout the sanctuary who were available to answer questions; we had lots of them! We visited in the early afternoon on a very hot day. Many of the cats were in various stages of activity: napping, pacing, yawning or ignoring us. According to the volunteers, the true cat personalities emerge at the 7:00 p.m. feeding time (we watched it on Facebook Live later that night. Check it out!).

Siberian tigers seemed to comprise the largest number of cats in the sanctuary. We learned about their personalities from the volunteers (Spiderman is the most aggressive while Athena is the most docile). Maddie, a black bear, arrived in early September. She was about to be moved to her permanent habitat the day we visited. She seemed to be anxious; one of the volunteers mentioned that she enjoyed showers which seemed to calm her.

Plaques are placed at each habitat with the cat's name, breed, birthdate, arrival date and information about the breed. There is an obvious bond between the cats and the volunteers. More than once, we observed volunteers 'snuggling' with the cats at the fence. While protected, the cats can be harmed. A volunteer told us about a tiger that was bitten by a water moccasin, lost its eye but is doing well.

Do NOT miss Catty Shack on your next trip to Jacksonville. Just as important, please consider donating to this very worthwhile organization! COVID has dramatically affected the numbers of visitors; every $12 helps.

My boyfriend took me here for a date and it was so fun! Learned about all of the animals and how they are helping them. Saw them feed the tigers which was really cool to see! I would go back!

Wonderful sanctuary! The handlers had a ton of love and respect for the animals. This sanctuary is very well maintained and are in the works of renovating some new spaces for the big cats. Kids of all ages would enjoy the time of coming out and seeing the animals.

If you like exotic cats, this is a sure spot to visit. Very cool to be so close and experience all the moves these cats will make. I recommend you visit when it's not extremely hot nor raining.

Excellent tour given by Steve and Sue Kearney; each big cat has a story and their passion for these rescued animals was very apparent.

Highly recommend for groups and families with a special note to inquire and reserve tickets for night feedings.

Having a big cat rescue center near Fernandina Beach as well as the Jacksonville area is great for both visitors and residents.

Most of the tigers were sleeping in their enclosures because of the heat. That was until the staff brought them "popsicles" (chunks of meat frozen in ice). They were then all at the front of cages waiting and pacing for their turn. Beautiful animals! They have both Siberians and Bengals. They also have two black panthers (leopards). several coatimundis, both white-nosed and ring-tailed, a bobcat and a lion and lioness. Several volunteers give each group great presentations. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our visit, we would still recommend going during cooler days.

Awesome Experience! Loved seeing all the animals and they are very interactive. Nyra and the Cheeseheads were our favorite! Can’t wait to go back!

This is not a wonderful activity for your time in Jacksonville. The cats are in small cages, were either asleep under their platforms or inside their houses and there is little shade for you or the cats as you walk around. I can't imagine why they're only open from 1 to 3 during the hottest time of day (and when the cats were taking naps) rather than later in the afternoon or earlier in the morning (although there are weekend events that are much more expensive and later in the day). I had really hyped this place to my grandson and he was ready to go after 15 minutes.

Who knew right in our area was a wildlife sanctuary for beautiful big cats.
Something enjoyable and educational for anyone if any age. I highly recommend this sanctuary.

What a great experience! Beautiful animals that are well cared for and loved. This organization rescues animals that might not survive otherwise. They are true heros! We will definitely go again next time we visit. ❤️❤️❤️

We went for a night feeding. The place is run completely by volunteers and they were all great. Everyone is extremely friendly and very informative. We arrived at 6 for the 7:30 feeding and had plenty of time for pictures. They lead you on a tour and talk about each animal and you are free to wander. It was built in the 1980s and a very large expansion is in the works to build bigger habitats with built in pools for all the animals. Cant wait to see when its complete.

What a fabulous place! It's so great seeing the big cats up close and reading their stories. It looked like they are doing some renovations to the park. It wasn't as big as we expected but it was a nice visit. If you are in the area it's a must-see. You can't beat the $12.00 admission fee and knowing it goes to help these beautiful cats is great.

Go right when they are doing the feedings! It's worth every penny, we had so much fun visiting and learning about these big cats.

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.

What a great place! The wonderful staff & volunteers are very knowledgeable, and take lots of time to talk to you. The big cats are very well taken care of and their habitats are clean.

Thank you guys for all you for the critters, looking forward to my return visit. I wish I lived closer so I could volunteer and help you guys!

BLUF: Fun way to spend an hour, clean facility, easy to view the animals.

This was our second time visiting, with the first being roughly 6-7 years ago. Not much had changed, which was good. The animals are up close and easily visible. It's a good place to spend about an hour, but it's a fairly small place without much variety. It's not a zoo, but the ticket prices reflect that.

In the COVID era, there was almost no interaction with staff. The "you have to book online" on the website is not enforced. There was a line for people who had booked, like us, and a much shorter line for people who hadn't. I guess on busy days maybe they sell to capacity, but it looked like booking ahead of time was actually a negative for the folks in the back of the line.

We visited this big cat sanctuary. The animals are treated humanely and with great care. I've never seen tigers UP CLOSE like this. I highly recommend visiting this place. It's a nonprofit organization.

Our children loved the experience. The animals are well taken care of and you can tell they enjoy their enrichment time. We went for a day tour and are wanting to go back for a nighttime feeding.

We love Cattyshack. Even as locals we go a couple times a year and love seeing all the animals. My kids love to go and pick their favorite of the day. They are also extremely welcoming of community organizations and volunteers. It is clear the mission is truly to help care for and raise awareness for these amazing animals.

Very unique opportunity to see incredible cats up close, and feels more interactive than a typical zoo. Does not disappoint. The employees care about the animals, and you can see how the community has come together to contribute to making this place what it is through donations, volunteer, construction of enclosures, etc. Sad that these beautiful creatures have to be in captivity, but thankful places like this exist to keep them safe.

Catty Shack was wonderful! It is outside and Covid-friendly. We went during the day. There are no tours right now, but the volunteers were very friendly and more than happy to answer our questions and tell us about the animals. So many beautiful big cats and other animals too, including a bear. A great place to visit!

Incredible experience, lovely people running it. Effeciant and a fun evening out, can push wheelchair arount with some/minimal difficulty.

Highly recommend the weekend evening feeding experience. The animals are so animated waiting for their food.

All of the workers and volunteers were very informative.

So this place when you drive up seems rather fly by night. There is like a house and a couple of sheds, a muddy parking area, but plenty of signage.

This place is a shelter, or a reserve, for big cats. Turns out big cats are a lot like small cats - I am pretty sure I could have watched them for hours. Many of them were very active - the mountain lion and the bobtail especially. The bobtail would jump up on the fence and the cougar would go nuts running from one end of its enclosure to another jumping over all kinds of stuff. They were not reacting to us - but to each other. I did see a volunteer walk up to the chain link fence and this cougar rolls over and shows it’s belly, like it’s waiting for a scratch. It was awesome.

Most of the animals are in their own enclosures. Some are extremely interactive, others were looking to catch some snooze time in the sun. Most of the animals were just 4-5 feet from us most of the time. They were absolutely magnificent and your entry helps fund this rescue - you really cannot go wrong here. Highly recommend!

Whenever you go on any sort of "Safari Tour" at a theme park or visit a zoo, you never really get to see the Majestic big cats. But here, you are no more than 10 feet away from these amazing creatures. And there aren't just cats. It was a treat to see the founder interract with each cat just before feeding, and even cooler to see the big cats act just like a domestic kitty, begging for attention. This is truly an amazing place, and a place that needs all of the support you can give it. It is a must visit, and I will be back.

This place is soooo cool. It's great for kids and adults. We went during the day and saw them eating their "snacks" which was great. It's an up close experience and I've never seen something like it. I cant wait to go back for a night time feeding

I did 2 tours in 1 day, first one was the day tour, got to see them in the day however like most cats they are lounging around or naping, but the evening "feeding tour" was awesome. They do a guided tour while feeding the big cats, you get to see them in action. I learned a lot. Keep it going.

We came to the ranch not really knowing what to expect, and left feeling so happy that we made the trip! The animal feeding is not to be missed!

Have lived in Jacksonville for years and finally went to the Catty Shack. Wished I had gone a long time ago. Took my granddaughter who was 2 1/2 and she loved every minute of it. Definitely worth it.

Oh my goodness - the night feeding tour was worth every penny and more! We had 3 adults, a 2 and a 4 year old and everyone loved it! I would go back again. When we first walked in I wondered what it would be like, but the animals have habitats and are definitely loved and well cared for. They are in the process of upgrading all the large cat areas. But watching them have dinner was a highlight - each cat responded differently. One prefers only drumsticks first:) I would highly recommend this for all ages and abilities. The terrain would easily accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.

Awesome place. Kids will love it and the staff was very professional and put on a great show. I give it two thumbs up.

Went to the night feeding with my dad and two best friends. Dad almost got sprayed by tiger urine and it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. The cats and other animals are obviously very well taken care of and loved. I'm local and now I'm seriously considering volunteering at this wonderful establishment. I almost never write online reviews but this place was so good I had to write one. Please support this incredible nonprofit organization if you are ever in the area.

This is a rescue effort by a charitable group. All of their animals were somehow abandoned and need a home for life. They not only provide a home, but give them room to live and enjoy. Lions, Tigers, (no bears...) and other interesting animals. Try to go when they are feeding. It is amazing to watch. Great to educate children, but I'm 61 and it was exciting to see these wild animals react to feeding. They are NOT pets.

I had high expectations based on their website alone. However when I pulled up there was a bunch of mobile homes and I thought it was a huge joke. My husband insisted we still visit only because he was under the impression we were going to see domestic house cats. Our tour started at 6 and was over at 6:30. The cats were fed at 7:30 which we did not stay for.

Probably more impressive for young kids. For adults it’s no different than a zoo for a few specific breeds of cats.

Family came to visit & we ventured up to Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. We went at night to see the animals feeding. What an amazing,well run place. The folks who run the ranch are VERY well informed & seem to know & love every single animal.Our guide was friendly,took her time explaining things & when she went by the tiger cages,most greeted her by chuffing (tiger greeting) & coming up to the fence.We noticed that of the other guides also. They interacted with each animal & were so very well informed.Seeing these beautiful,healthy tigers up close was a thrill I will never forget.Each member of our clan enjoyed our evening there.Our 7 year old granddaughter had several questions & was treated with respect,as she asked. Even though it was pouring rain,the night we went, it was a fabulous experience! We hope to go again soon. 5 stars for Catty Shack!

You have to be here to appreciate the animals and ALL the hard work and dedication of the care givers!

Everyone was welcoming and friendly. Dr. Fred answered questions and provided some educational information. Volunteers carefully interacted with these beautiful wild animals, and they responded with chuffing and happy cat noises.

What an awesome hidden gem in Jacksonville! My niece lives here and didn’t even know about it! The $15 entry fee was well worth knowing that it would go to take care of these amazing rescued cats! This was the closest I have ever been able to be to tigers... they are so special!! Perfect amount of walking, nice informative tour, got to see the cats a little more playful and rambunctious because we went to see the night time feeding tour on Wed night. Definitely worth a visit for an animal lover!!

The Director-Kurt-actually gets into some of the enclosures and feeds the tigers by hand-awesome to watch. A must visit place-bring your kids, your mom, your neighbor-everyone! Every tiger has a different personality. There are leopards, a lion and lioness as well as other animal species too! Very thrilling!

I stayed in town an extra day just to experience the “night feeding” and I WAS NOT disappointed. This family run, all volunteer big cat sanctuary is an amazing experience. The cats know it’s feeding time, so they are up and active. Even though you are behind two fences, you are still up close when dinner arrives. You can hear the crunch on bones and the director and staff offer a very humorous commentary. They are expanding and really improving the lives of these rescues. I’ll go back if I’m ever in town again!

Entertaining and soul satisfying at the same time. Catty Shack is a wild cat sanctuary in the northern part of Jacksonville. It is beautifully maintained and staffed by well trained and loving volunteers all appeared to be very knowledgeable as well as quite comfortable around these large animals. My family and I spent nearly an hour wandering around and enjoyed the entire experience.

good people doing their best to take care of these animals that have been abandoned by the rest of the world. you can see the effort that has been made to keep them comfortable and well cared for-

I went on a very warm weekday afternoon. I knew going in that the big cats would be hiding and/or taking a nap. Even so there were a couple of tigers walking around or laying visible for a photo opportunity. The story behind all of these cats is amazing and at the same time heartbreaking. Even if the admission cost were double it would be worth it because it goes to the upkeep of these beautiful animals.
All of the volunteers and staff deserve a hearty thanks for the wonderful work they do. If in Jacksonville you need to make time out to see this really fantastic place

We stopped by for the evening feeding and were not disappointed by the amount of beautiful, big cats to observe. The tour groups were a bit crowded due to understaff issues. Bring bug spray!

Great place to stretch your legs and get off the I-95 if you're doing a long-haul to Orlando! We got to see a bunch of big cats from fairly close. A lion even roared at us a few times! Just don't expect an amusement park... it's a sanctuary for animals with nowhere else to go. We stayed for about 30-45 minutes and they had a military rebate at the counter. You don't need to purchase your tickets online and there's plenty of room to park on site.

The reserve is open limited hours, so time your visit accordingly. All three of my teens enjoyed the tour, and we observed "snack time". Highly recommended!

Enjoyed seeing the big cats. Family friendly place. Simple self guided tour with volunteers. Price is good and volunteers are friendly and helpful. Nice simple experience to bring your family to or to just observe and watch the big cats.

We went for a nighttime evening feeding and it was really great. It started POURING rain while we were mid-tour and a lot of people got drenched. LOL! I went back to the car and got my umbrella and finished the tour. Most folks find the bone-crunching sounds to be the most memorable part. Ha!
There were more than just big cats there too which was good for some variety. I'd like to go again.
There's a small gift shop for souvenirs too.

Love, love, loved it! Went to an enrichment session on a Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lions and tigers and bear (yes, only one), oh my! Though two fences separate you from the cats, you still feel so close to them, especially those you see as you first walk in. One even sprayed urine and it was close enough to be a splash zone! To hear their chuffs and breath as they walk by, and see the size of their paws is just amazing. All of the animals are rescued from other animal sanctuaries or zoos that couldn't handle them, or from bad private situations--LIONS AREN'T PETS, PEOPLE! The sanctuary offers various tours: afternoon visits most days, enrichment day on Sunday (where you see them given toys or activities, like pumpkins stuffed with chicken) and a night feeding on Friday night. I spent 2.5 hours there. If you're ever in Jacksonville, check this place out! Special note to those with young kids: I noticed a lot of the young ones got bored quickly. If you're an adult wanting to enjoy the experience, bring something your kids like to do so you can watch the animals and enjoy.

What a wonderful non-profit sanctuary. All the animals have been rescued and it's evident how much the employees/volunteers care about these big cats. In the process of building all new enclosures, with their own pools, to make certain they are well taken care of.

This year for our annual trip, I gave my daughter the task of finding things to do. She found the Catty Shack in Jacksonville and being a fan of Big Cat Diary when she was little she really wanted to go to see the tigers up close and personal.

This place was amazing. The fact that it has taken no state or federal grants and has built up such a huge place so far and is only getting bigger and better is amazing. It is run by mostly volunteers and you can tell that they really love their jobs. They knew the story of each tiger we went by on the tour. They are so passionate about them.

This is a forever home for tigers, lions and other cats. They have been displaced or given up by personal owners and have found their way home to the Catty Shack.
Seeing the feeding was an experience. As many times as I have been to a zoo, I have never seen feeding time. Watching them get fed was a really cool thing.

They are going through some renovations and expansions, so it will definitely be getting bigger and better. I would definitely like to go back again if I am ever in the area.

It was the coldest night of 2022 when visiting the catty shack for the night feeding. Even though it was cold everyone was very helpful and willing to discuss the cats welfare. There were a few heaters to gather around, and there was hot chocolate which was perfect on the cold night, the explanations about the animals and their feeding needs were very informative and you got within about 6-8 feet of the tigers
Safely though with multiple fences between us and the tigers. This looks to be a fine organization where they provide genuine loving care for the tigers and other animals. Visit if you can

Saw the feeding and was great! It seems like they really take care of the animals. One great place to visit!

Amazing experience. We went for the night feeding and were very impressed with the volunteers and staff. Of course the animals were fun to watch and learn about.

So many Lions, Tigers and even a Bear! Staff were mostly volunteers and very friendly and knowledgeable. So great to see so many animals close up. Definitely worth a visit. We plan to return for an evening event.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Catty Shack! The 6pm-7:30pm time slot was the perfect amount of time and a great place to see the sun go down. From clearly marked arrival, ample parking, easy ticketing, nice staff, cleanest porta potty in town, yummy snow cones, friendly cat, free-roaming chickens and all that was before even seeing any big animals…. We absolutely loved seeing the animals so vibrant and active. This place gleams with such obvious love and protection for these animals!! Very positive experience.

Catty Shack is cool to go see at night to watch them eat. It is very small so do not expect to spend a lot of time here. It is a great experience and the animals seem to be treated well here so I did not mind spending the money to go.

Recent rains somewhat flooded the place but we were still able to have a great experience. We found the many volunteers to be devoted, knowledgeable, and very friendly. We highly recommend this attraction.

Fabulous place! Bring your family friends or just come by yourself! Explore the grounds and animals tigers, lions, bears, cougars, foxes, panthers and and much more! Watch the feedings explore the habitat ask questions! Friendly and informative staff! The animals look happy and healthy the place is clean and keep to great standards!

You will enjoy the visit! Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and concession stand!

! Donate please! The animals and the staff need your help for long term survival! Visit if you can so worth it! We went for the enrichment hours and had the best time! Learned so much about the wild animals and were able to enjoy feeding time extravaganza!

Amazing volunteers and employees! Sally and Steven were extremely friendly and helpful. We had a large group of kids and they were amicable and beyond knowledgeable throughout the whole experience. Highly recommend, awesome place to go. Cute shirts in the gift shop and parking is a breeze.

Catty Shack rescues mostly large cats, tigers, lions & panthers. Animals are well fed & cared for by professional & lay volunteers. They rely on public donations. We visited for the Saturday night feeding & it was awesome. I have gone during the day; but, since these animals are nocturnal, you don’t see much activity. The guided tours are very informative & educational. Don’t just show up without checking their website for day & night time schedules. It’s best to purchase tickets on line. Tour begins with a video. The paths are not paved. There is a small snack shack & gift shop.
It is a wonderful volunteer opportunity if you live in Jacksonville & love animals.

This was my second visit to the Catty Shack Ranch. I was glad to see that they are working to replace the metal tub pools with in-ground pools, one at a time as they can afford it. It is clear that they are working to improve the habitats. I have been very impressed with the volunteers. One lady, I wish I remembered her name, has been volunteering nine years and had probably already given several tours that day, but she took the time to tell a personal story about each animal, highlighting the animal's personality and uniqueness. It started raining but that didn't slow the volunteers one bit. It is great that these big cats and "honorary cats" are receiving care from such dedicated caregivers. I enjoy the tour and even more the open-ended time after the tour to walk around and watch the animals.

I absolutely love this place. Everytime I go back to Jacksonville to see family and friends I let them know I'm definitely going to see my tigers and lions at cattyshack. I have brought several ppl here and sent others that did know where this was. I love the way the owners and volunteers love what they do and love the animals. This is the first place I have gone that the cats are not just sleeping. The cats are happy and you can tell and they love to put on a show. This is fun for all ages. I would highly recommend going, you will not regret it.

The cats were looking great. We had a nice stroll through the park. You can visit and see all in approximately an hour. Would recommend.

The Saturday after christmas, I had guests from NY, California, Miami and Georgia so, after having read about Catty Shack on trip advisor for yearssss, I piled all my visiting family in the car and rode to the Ranch for the nightly feeds. I was uncertain what experience in jacksonville would be of interest to my family with so many different ages, educations, interests. love it. Well, heres the synopsis: EVERYONE LOVED IT. All of our cameras rolled nonstop to catch the activity of the tigers and lions and everytime you think you've recorded or captured "the coolest thing ever", another beautiful wild animal will show you something else that mesmerizes you! They also have other large wild cats like a black leopard, a puma and a bobcat!! The setup is cool bc you have a succint and informative guided tour at first but then, there is time to wander back to your favorite animals and see them independently. Volunteers, the health director, and executive director (and his family) are all over the place and so interesting and approachable for any and ALL questions. They are so dedicated to their cats and you can tell any donations or admission profits they receive all GO directly back to the cats and improving their enrichment activities, accomodations, healthcare etc. Seriously, the staff and volunteers' connection to the animals was so obvious to me. For any naysayers out there, all I ask you to consider is that these cats didnt ask to be put into the circumstnaces (serious health issues, domestic pets that were surrendered, zoos that were improperly run) that ultimately led them to NEEDING to be rescued by a specialized sanctuary to continue a healthy life. Thank you to the sanctuary for your humanity you display to these large creatures and thank you for educating us. Truth be told, my family had to be walked to the gate at closing time- we couldnt get enough of being in the presence of such amazing creatures each w/ a unique personality, story and beauty.

I went for a night feeding. The guide was very informative and knowledgeable. What they do there is amazing. Saving animals that were mistreated or people just didn't want. The lions were majestic and the tigers playfull.

A little backstory here.

October 2017 we drove all the way here only to find it was a Halloween event and not a night feeding as noted online. Left with 4 sad kids, feeling frustrated that the event was not more clear on social media. I felt I should not have to check 3 locations to find the 1 place they noted the event. However it stayed on my must visit list.

Fast forward to March 2020. We were driving home from Orlando and planned that drive around going to the Catty Shack for a tour and night feeding.

I had 2 teens and a 5 year old with me. We ran back for the little ones stroller bc the walk around property for the most part os stroller friendly which we appreciated very much.

There was a large group under the tent for the intro video but the group did not feel so large and overwhelming once we went out to the property.

I was immediately impressed that they had a golf cart to bring out for a gentleman who was unable to walk for the length of the tour.

As soon as you walk through the gates, there they are. tigers 10 feet away! The habitats are not huge, but they ecplained that some of these animals have come from poor situations and that they are now working on making huge enclosures for all on the property bit that takes time.

The guide told us about every animal and how it came to be on property.

We were able to hang back or jump ahead during the tour and after you are able to walk around anywhere you would like.

It was very cold and we were very happy to see a fire blazing to warm up by, and the food truck had hot cocoa!

Once feeding time is near, the owner comes out and gives a history and explains that not every visitor can have a front row viewing at every cage. He suggests you visit your favorite and then move around so you get a great view of a few feedings.

I am not sure what I expected, but have those cameras ready. They throw the meat in and those cats pounce and devour! There is lots of pacing and noise making before each pen gets their turn.

We were happy to learn that they have turned sanctuary with zero breeding and that they take in big cats and other exotics from all over the country.

This is a place we will definitely visit again.

I suggest late lunch in Jacksonville beach before you go.

Happy to answer questions!

@Kristens_on_Vacation IG

These people are doing great work and providing an educational service to the public. I would recommend everyone to go check it out.

What a depressing sight to see the big cats in small, chain link cages with dirt floors. So sad to see these majestic cats with hardly enough space to move around.

Great place where the animals are well taken care of and the staff and volunteers love what they do. It shows how much the animals are loved and they are expanding and making even better enclosures for the animals.

We went for a night time tour and feeding, and we were not disappointed. 100% operated by volunteers, this grassroots organization does an excellent job of introducing you to the animals - tigers, lions, bobcats, and the like - in a professional and folksy manner. We stayed for the feeding, which was very cool to observe. So much better than a zoo, you get to see the animals up close and in person. Highly recommend!

This place was amazing! I found it online while looking for "extra" thinks to do in our fishing trip in Florida. We did the night time tour and feeding. Animals were playful and friendly. The tour was educational and engaging. This was the best zoological type experience of our lives! Can't wait to bring the grandkids for a vacation! We also paid the extra $10 for a T-shirt and drink/snow cone. We are so glad we did. We will proudly wear our T-shirts and tell others about our experience. We were more than happy to make some additional purchases as well to help support such an program. Everything was very affordable.

My son & I made a visit to the ranch back in September. I was so impressed by the animals & caregivers that I have became a volunteer there myself. I have been there many times & can still spend hours watching all the animals. It is funded solely by donations. You can help by taking a trip there, make donations online, donate your time, purchase items from their Amazon wish list or add them as your charity on Amazon Smile. I have seen first hand, no matter the size of your donation, it is all appreciated & put to good use.

The Catty Shack Ranch is a great place to visit for young and old. They save/rescue tigers from irresponsible people who think a tiger is a great pet (yeah, some people aren't so smart these days). The cats all seem happy in their surroundings and at least they are getting a new lease on life. The staff is terrific. If you're in Jax don't pass this place up.

A great way to get close to big cats and some other wild animals. We took our grandkids for the feeding and they enjoyed watching the cats anticipate and eat their supper. This is a sanctuary and a good place to teach children about these beautiful animals. Its not fancy but worth a visit.

I had been wanting to visit here for quite some time. We finally went this past weekend and had a great time. Loved seeing all of the big cats. This is a must if you've never been.

100% worth checking out. We did the night feed & had a blast! We all had a great experience. Feeding started at 7:30 & was awesome.

We have now been to Catty Shack several times have loved it each time. We will be back in a couple of weeks with grandkids. Night feeding is incredible. Must see if you are in Jacksonville.

Catty Shack Ranch is a must-stop for visitors to Jacksonville or residents who have never taken advantage of this great wildlife sanctuary. You will never get so close to big cats as you will here. The ranch is a forever home to dozens of tigers. There are lions and panthers, as well as other species. Your visit begins with a short film. Next comes a guided tour. The tour guides are fantastic. Night visits are the best when the cats are active and for feeding. The $15 entrance fee is very reasonable. Plenty of parking. Limited food, but plenty of restrooms. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. The pathways are dirt and can be muddy after rain.

Visited CS and enjoyed the scenery as well as the commitment the proprietor is towards supporting distressed wild life. Admirable

I haven't been to Jax in over 25 years. When looking for something to do this option came about. We went and it was amazing. All self guided. They have beautiful cats and some bears that were rescued from bad situations. You can clearly see them in their habitats. We really enjoyed our time. If you're in the area definitely worth the stop.

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jacksonville deserves a full five-star review! This small zoo features an impressive array of lions and other exotic animals, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. The staff and employees are extraordinary, showcasing genuine care and knowledge about the animals. The entire facility is very clean and well-maintained, creating a pleasant and enjoyable experience for visitors. The friendliness and dedication of the staff truly make this place stand out. Highly recommended for anyone looking to spend a delightful day learning about and appreciating these magnificent creatures!

Hot Sunday afternoon and it was sort of crowded. And perfect. Staff are amazing and cats are what they are - wild and fascinating. Gives you something to think about and smile about. Need not take a lot of time.

We were visiting relatives and stopped by for a visit. The entire tour was really entertaining and a joy for us all. There is no other place that I'm aware of that has the variety of cats that are here. The restrooms were clean and stocked. The concession stand had some nice offerings and everything was affordable and enjoyable. Take the time to take your young ones here for a visit or swing by on your own and you will not regret it.

A wonderful experience! Highly recommended. Our family was very impressed with how well the animals are taken care of here. The staff has an incredible bond with the animals and you can easily tell that they live for these animals. Our family took our time and interacted with the staff and volunteers to learn more of the backstory on each animal. It took us about 1.5 hrs to go through everything. This is not the "zoo" or "theme park attraction". These animals are being animals, relaxing and enjoying life. The property is well maintained and clean. We will be back for sure!

The primary focus of the ranch is to rescue big cats from serious situations. Once at Catty Shack Ranch, they have a safe and forever home. There were about 2 dozen wild cats there on my visit and are well cared for mostly by volunteers. The volunteers provide guided tours through the tree-covered grounds, giving interesting information about each cat. Night tours include feedings which is quite interesting to watch. The executive director and volunteers have a love affair with these animals. Very unique.

Fabulous, knowledgeable. If you like big cats this is the place to go. Very cheap considering the amount of knowledge you get. Gift shop very reasonable too. Will go back again when I’m in the area.

This is the place to go to see tigers,cougar, foxes, lions that are rescued from zoos, hurricanes, owners, where they are better taken care of, and where this is their permanent home. This is a non-profit organization and is runned by volunteers. The admission goes directly to the rescue to take care of the animals. They are also in need of volunteers and sponsors of these animals. So please check their website, make a visit, and help them out if you can. Thank you!

The kids had a really really great time with the animals takkng pics & things but 4 me the, best part was thr natural trail

We have been for the night feedings, so much fun! Lately it's harder because we are staying home, but we love to check out their animal feedings on Facebook live. Worth a trip for sure!

We took our granddaughter for a day tour visit. What a wonderful experience. The staff is very knowledgeable. The cats are beautiful. They are so well taken care of. The Catty Shack is run by volunteers and the love they have for the animals really shows. We watched a video first to understand what to expect and then went on a tour. After the tour you are free to continue to visit the animals. The staff interacted with the cats and gave them a treat. So happy they will be expanding. This is a must do experience.

Absolutely wonderful place to go for since learning, some family together time, and some gorgeous critters! We took the evening tour, as the cats are more active in the cool. What an awesome time!! Great photo ops, learned a lot, very inexpensive!! You get more than just cats here too, so be prepared for birds and a bunch of other critters you wouldn't expect by the name Catty Shack! If you love wildlife, young or old, you should make this a must see!

Wonderful experience!! The animals were very well taken care of and very friendly staff. We were able to able to get a close up view of the beautiful cats and there were plenty of places to sit and rest in the shade.

Would suggest visiting this Sanctuary. It was definitely worth my time. They care about the animals that were saved.

The night tour with feeding was a once in a lifetime experience! Really educational, and you could tell all of the staff love the animals and the animals love their staff. An awesome and humbling place, I will definitely be back.

I had the great fortune of working closely with the Catty Shack team as my client, Earth Works, designed and built a water feature for three of the cats (Adrian, Rocky and Haley). Seeing the love and care the organization has for its animals from behind the scenes was an awesome experience.

The team works hard to create a peaceful, loving environment for these beautiful animals - it's a treat to experience!

While in Jacksonville my girlfriend and I only had a couple of hours free that we could find something interesting to do.... Catty Shack Ranch far exceeded all of our expectations!

The Catty Shack Ranch is a great stop for anyone who finds themselves in the Jacksonville area. It is an educational experience that both old and young will remember forever.

The added bonus is finding out that they are a non-profit organization so every visitor is helping all the animals by simply visiting and paying the small entrance fee.

I have no doubt that we will be back!!!

This place was absolutely amazing. It’s not super big. But they are expected to expand their size. My husband and I went and was able to see the lions get a nice little snack and hear them roar. It was hands down the best experience we’ve ever had. Also het to hear so much information about the animals and the environment they live in.

The Catty Shack is an amazing place to see MANY Tigers!! They had 22 tigers when we were there. The 7:30 feeding show is very cool!

Lovely day trip for myself as an adult but, my grandchildren were in Big Cat Heaven!
A hidden treasure for this time in our new normal. Outside, social distancing and fresh air.
The guides are knowledgeable and attentive to the childrens questions.
I would highly suggest this for a great outing and learning experience for the whole family.
And, a way to support animal rescue ❤

A visit to CattyShack has been on a to-do list from r a long time. We did an afternoon tour. It was well worth the time and the admission. We are fortunate to have a place dedicated to giving loving care to these big cats.

This place is great - the cats are the main attraction however they do have several other animals here. It is amazing how close you are to the animals here and watching them during feeding time is the best time to be there.

Very pleasant and the guide we had was awesome. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Rode in a cart but most will walk. Very unique opportunity. Highly recommended.

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.

The big cats were so active. It was very interesting to learn about the history, personalities and care of each animal. Don’t miss the cats receiving “enrichments” aka cat popsicles. Our grandkids loved and so did we! Wear tennis shoes!

Awesome experience. We did the night time feeding. Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. Learned many facts about wild cats and tigers. Would definitely recommend visiting again.

You probably know what Catty Shack is by the time to read this review. I enjoyed it. The cats are in large cages and they look content and well-cared-for. The organization / staff seem to care genuinely and deeply for these animals. Their animals are tigers, lions, (no, not bears), and a collection of one-to-three other species. I was surprised to discover coatimundis and foxes in their collection, too.

They are currently (2020) expanding and improving the cages for the animals, which I think is needed. The one habitat they have completed already looks much better than the existing habitats.

You don't get to pet or even get to the very edge of the cages, which is probably a good thing. However you do get fairly close to the cages and you can see most of the animals very well.

The place is only open to visitors a few hours a day. Check the schedule so you don't miss the opportunity

A nice place to visit. The staff is amazingly helpful and polite. It was great to see these cats up close.

We went with my grandson for the night feeding. It was a great experience. The cats are beautiful and the staff is very informative. Well worth it.

My daughter bought me and my grandson here because she and her husband thought we would enjoy it - and we did! We watched them feed the tigers! What an experience! This place is just a wonderful haven for big cats that were rescued. They are treated extremely well and to be able to see the interaction with the handlers is wonderful. My grandson is 6 and he LOVED it!

I've never been so close to the animals at feeding time. Big cats have rivalry and growl and fight! Wear boots, the ground was very muddy and uneven. The children lost interest and got tired because it does involve a lot of walking. OK to go once but definitely not worth a repeat visit.

Have wanted to visit for years. Glad we finally did! Wonderful place and beautiful big cats. The tour was informative. And the night feeding was great. Must see if you live in NE Florida or visiting. Can’t wait to go back.

We took our 3 1/2 year olds twin grandsons to a Wednesday night feeding at Catty Shack last week and they were mesmerized by the beautifully tended large cats they saw up closeand watched being fed. They are still talking about it after a week. We visit every time we are in Jacksonville. It just keeps getting better and better. The animals are happy, content and have great quality lives. Curt and his staff and cadre of volunteers are truly dedicated to their animals.

On a night where the temperature was hovering around 48, we visited the Catty Shack. Although the night was cold, we got a really warm welcome from the staff and a great tour with lots of information AND quite a show from the animals at feeding time. The place is everything it says it is and more. It's in the middle of no where, but is easy to get to. Admission is very reasonable. You need to go and see it for yourself. You will be amazed and not disappointed. One last note: Some of the tigers are HUGE!!

Just find out about this place even though we’ve lived nearby for a while. What a great place to see and hear about the rescues of these big cats and other animals. The daytime tour is only $10 and definitely worth it. The animals are beautiful and you can tell these senior cats are content and well taken care of.

We stopped here while staying in Jacksonville. Very informative tour and amazing to see the animals up close. Definitely support them by stopping by and taking a tour.

We have visited many times. The Grandchildren love the cats. Tours and night feedings are great. Kurt and everyone there is knowledgeable and truly care about the animals. Through my company, I have done volunteer work, and look forward to going back again

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.

Definitely worth while to see how well they take care of these majestic animals! The guide was very engaging with loads of information. The kids are still talking about all they learned and enjoyed seeing up close. A different off the beaten path outing but absolutely worthwhile to see.

This is a very worthwhile organization that also manages to be a wonderful experience for visitors. My husband and I attended the evening feeding and we recommend it for anyone, any age, who is interested in learning more about lions, tigers etc. Watching the tigers play in their water pools was fascinating.

What an awesome place.! Every time someone visits us I make sure Catty Shack is on our "must see" list. The owner and staff do such an amazing job of taking care of these rescued wild animals. Be sure to go when there is a feeding. Viewing is up close and personal.

We always love visiting wildlife sanctuaries. This is one of the ones I absolutely love. The staff were friendly and answered our questions. They aren't doing tours right now so you just go in and walk around but there were plenty of staff around to answer questions. The animals were very active when we went and it wasn't busy. We got there close to the time they first opened. By the time we left (which was probably 45 min to 1 hour), they were starting to get more people but everyone was social distancing and staff were wearing masks. We will plan to visit again when in town.

We are zoo members and have even done the behind the scenes night hike. This was far better (and more reasonable). You get a closer view of the animals and a real feel for their personalities; hearing them roar and chuff, and seeing them run, play, and swim. The night time feeding is excellent as they are even more active. We also liked hearing their stories. Although they never should have been in the situations they were rescued from, they obviously have a wonderful environment in which to live out their days. We’ll be back!

We went to Catty Shack Ranch for the daily evening feeding. It was very interesting and the cats are more active in the evening.

My husband and I visited at the 1:00-3:00 time on a Saturday afternoon. It’s self-guided, so you can take as much time as you like. Freddy the lion was roaring as we walked through, talking to the people. There are many tigers and also some other animals. It is outside, so wear your sunscreen and hats. We loved our visit. We even talked with one of the workers about the animals, and he was very nice. I would definitely recommend this as one of your stops on your visit.

We took our grandson and enjoyed this so much. Far better than a zoo. So informative and interesting to hear the guide explain the tigers behavior and to watch them go in with them and feed them. We would highly recommend this event.

Awesome place to visit!! Highly recommendable!! The admission fee is a bargain in comparison to what you get!!

This place is incredible!!!! Just a great way to spend the evening with family. The volunteers and staff are awesome. The night time feeding is by far one of the most incredible things you will ever witness!

They were decorated for Halloween ,
They have something special for the kids.
Very interesting to see the lions and tigers.
We definitely enjoyed ourselves looking forward to going back.

A positively incredible visit. An amazing amount of cats, etc. And a very informative and engaged staff. Can't wait to go back - all for a wonderful cause.

Great Sanctuary! There were lots of Tigers and other cats. The Bear look so friendly when the volunteer was feeding him. It’s a nice place and they are building bigger cages for the animals!

Such a pleasant surprise. So well maintained and the staff and volunteers have a true love and respect for their residents. The animals are healthy and well cared for. I am so happy to have found this adventure.

The animals here are so well taken care of and you get to hear each one's story. This is a good nonprofit organization and the place is AMAZING! Our tour guide Steven was very informative and funny. I have never been so close to a tiger 🐯 in my life. I would definitely go again to see the night feeding.

This is a hidden gem. If you are in the area or just traveling to the Jacksonville Airport, it's worth planning for an hour or two to stop and see the cats. I've been to several zoos and sanctuaries but have never had the opportunity to be this close to the animals; especially without bug crowds. The cats are well kept and gorgeous.

Wow what a lovely place.
I popped over just over some heavy rain but the cats were all out enjoying some sunshine.
It’s lovely to see these cats have found a safe home

This was fun. You can camp overnight and enjoy the sounds that would be scary if you were out in the bush.

This place isn’t fancy, but amazing all the same’. Employees and/or volunteers were great, and the animals look well taken care of! Excited for their remodel, and upgrades!!!

My husband and I are visiting Florida for our anniversary and stop out to the Catty shack ranch wildlife sanctuary. What a great place! We really enjoyed the animals, even the tiger who tried to spray me! Gotta watch out for that. Some of the tigers are real showers and like to strut up and down the fences like “ look at me”!!! Great place, definitely was worth the visit.

We took our niece to the Catty Shack for the night feeding. After a quick tour of the area with a guide and seeing about 30 big cats, it was time for the feeding. The animals, mostly tigers were beautiful. We highly commend the people that run the Catty Shack for their efforts to save this animals, however it was very sad to see such gorgeous cats in such small cages. None of the animals were born in the wild, so they can never be released and the people at the Catty Shack take very good care of the cats, but still hard to see them in cages.

An amazing experience for our family! Kurt the director and founder and Kurt our tour guide were awesome hosts for our private tour and night feeding. This was an experience beyond expectations. The Big Cats and their feeding showed the power of these majestic creatures and all the residents from foxes, bear, coatimundi, serval cats, bobcats, panthers….. were so well cared for and the personality and plight of each was explained as to how they were rescued. All the animals were rescued from domestic or zoo situations and the sanctuary focuses on making sure these animals live their lives well fed and with activities that provide stimulation and even on-site state of the art medical facility. The expansion of the sanctuary has already provided an even more beautiful place for both animal and humans! Thank you Kurt for making it your life’s work to ensure the sanctuary will help animals and for taking such good care of them. This sanctuary is completely self funded and we were happy to donate and to adopt a Big Cat, which was greatly appreciated by the sanctuary, to continue the work of this amazing nonprofit! One of the resident cats, Philip, was also a fun addition as he followed the kids the entire tour and seemed to get along with all the resident Cats who were all much bigger than him.
Hopefully more people will donate to this great cause.
This trip was better than any zoo we have ever visited and we have been to many.
The Marquez Family.

First time coming here and was not disappointed! Right off the bat we were able to watch as the tigers and lions were given a "pop-cycle' treat....and boy did they enjoy it!!! Then we were given a 30 minute walking tour around the sanctuary by a very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. All of the animals seem well care for and happy! After hearing their stories I'm so glad they found their way here to live out their lives happy and loved!!! So worth the small price of $10 to visit this wonderful place!!!!! Will definitely be back!!!!

A lot of volunteers work at this place, which is awesome. You can see the care and compassion they have for the animals and just want to give them a good place to live. Originally we thought it was just big cats, but they have bears and other animals there too. It was cool to see some we'd never seen in a zoo. They even had a tiger with my daughter's name, Amara. So of course, that became our favorite. One of the staff said that is their favorite as well. They are beautiful animals.

I did the Saturday night feeding tour. The tour guides were extremely informative and friendly. Really great place. They allow you to walk around and see the animals on your own which was nice. The feeding was very crowded because there was so many people there. But overall it was a really nice tour and I would definitely come back.

It was extremely warm, but it was wonderful to see these majestic animals up close, and we enjoyed the commentary during the tour!

Amazing thing to do for all ages. Clean and organized. Has great/knowledgeable/friendly volunteers. Food on the premises. Activities to participate in throughout the year. Great cause. Doing wonderful work!!! Enjoyed very much.

Best I’ve seen. Beautiful animals who are loved well! FEEDING TIME VISIT IS OPTIMAL❗️Presenters are knowledgeable and caring. Introduction presentation setting and presentation is “rustic”. Stay near the walkthrough guide to be able to hear his anemic audio amplifier. Walking pace is comfortable enough for almost anyone to maintain. Many photo ops. Great experience…kids of all ages will enjoy it…not particularly polished.

We love animals but we don't go to zoos or other attractions that exploit them. Visiting this sanctuary is a great opportunity to see big cats and support this NGO with its beautiful work.

While it’s a 30 minute trip by car from downtown Jacksonville, it’s certainly a trip worthwhile. From the amount of adopted wildlife that keeps growing, to the cleanliness of the facilities, the enthusiastic tour guide staff to the overall awesome experience.

We personally went to the “Night Feeding” tour at 6:00pm, which includes a tour with introductions of the adopted wildlife around the facilities until 7:30pm when the actual feeding of the entire family of big cats start.

It’s nice to see sanctuaries like this one start to gain popularity and support from locals and alike, considering they are fighting for a cause that dignifies and supports that life of such beautiful creatures.

Our party of four visited the Sanctuary for the first time yesterday in time for feeding. The walking tour lasted about 1.5 hours. Cold water was available for guests as well as a jitney ride for folks who needed a break from walking on the gravel surface. We saw a myriad of mixed breed animals being fed by a devoted bunch of all volunteer staffers who are knowledgeable about each animal and their unique personalities. Animals were lively and well maintained. Interesting and we learned a lot. 100% of your entrance fee goes to their maintenance. Definitely worth a stop.

The tour is informative and just enough to make you familiar with everything they offer. We really didn't know what to expect and we were blown away! The animals are so beautifully cared for and it shows. Very little animal smell. You can get SO close to th4 animals.

We love visiting the Catty Shack Ranch. ALL the animals are so well taken care of! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable! One of our favorite places to go on family night! 💕

Lions and tigers and coatimundi. A volunteer organization whose love and caring and respect for these big cats shines through. A well- organized tour culminating in the night feeding of what we are reminded are still very much wild animals. The tigers have swimming pools and they use them and I got to see it! And the black leopard oh so beautiful, the white tiger incredible as was the white fox. If I were local I would be a volunteer so I will have to adopt one of their animals

Long over due family fun night. We love the catty shack and the volunteers there are amazing. The love these tigers receive there is top notch

the most interesting thing is watching the tigers pee on people. Went during evening feeding and that was interesting in how different cats acted

Entertaining and fun for the family. Not overpriced. We spent about 2 hours there. My 6 year old loved the tour. All proceeds go towards the animals and facilities.

I went with a friend for the Thursday afternoon tours from 1pm to 4pm. Short video about the place is shown first and then we were led on a tour. There were maybe 20 people in our group. Mary was our tour guide and she was awesome in her knowledge of each animal and its history. All the cats are beautiful and the enclosures were appropriately sized with plenty of cover from weather and for exercise. Most of the cats were napping at this time of day except for a couple that were also fed some chicken on our tour. They have some smaller animals called "The Littles" and they were all interesting too. Foxes, cougar, panther, etc. Most animals have been taken in from situations that were not good, some were born here. All of it was very interesting and the sanctuary is well cared for. The owner and his son live on the property and most everything is done by them, a few employees and a lot of volunteers. They have certain nights open for feedings of the big cats. All these animals are in their forever home. Will definitely go back.

Amazing!!! Tigers and Lions are close up and may interact with you. I called Haley the Tiger by name and she looked at me. Highly recommend!!! Support how you can.

Fantastic! This is a sanctuary for big cats who were previously in captivity & this facility cares for them through the rest of their life. Tigers, lions, leopards. A tour guide takes you by the cats enclosures & explains each one's backstory & personality. We came for the evening feeding; the staff hand feed meat to all the wild cats.
This was the closest I've ever been to such magnificent animals! Wonderful experience & educational. I would recommend this for children over 8. The little ones on the tour didn't seem to like it.