Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary Reviews

Do you want to visit the single most interesting animal facility you have ever been to. This is it, amazing animals rescued from certain abuse. I cannot tell you the feeling you get when you see this all volunteer force of caretakers work with these animals. You will never experience the number and diversity of animals that this facility cares for. The visit left me asking what can I do for them, money, time, getting others to participate. I will return, I will help, I will enjoy these animals.

Isn't it a sin that animals are abused for the profit of humans?
Ever here of elephants going bizzerk, and and then killed because of it?
It has disturbed me since I was a toddler, to see anything/anybody abused.
Especially animals of any size.
Blessed are those who relieve the suffering of the helpless.
Beautiful, enlightening visit.

The Octagon, is a little old but the workers and owners do a really good job at upkeep and maintenance. However every penny will help! Support!
We saw lots of tigers and lions that had been in captivity, several bears, a few smaller animals, plus more. A very nice place to visit if in Punta Gorda.

We decided to visit with my parents and young daughter last Sunday. Since they were having a community appreciation day, it was free! An extra bonus! We enjoyed seeing the many animals close up. We saw many tigers, ligers, Bobcats, black leopard, coyotes, bear, hyenas and various other exotic animals, many of which had been confiscated due to previous owners obtaining them illegally. It was a very pleasant experience. Nothing fancy, but the animals looked healthy and well-cared for, which is the most important thing. Fortunately there are shady areas, too, since it is completely outside. Hopefully we can return.

It was a fantastic center and my wildlife loving daughter who is 10 was in heaven! I would recommend for families wanting to see wildlife but save money by not doing the zoo

Went to Octagon on a Saturday in the late morning. What a wonderful place. It is so refreshing to see wild animals treated so humanely. The enclosures are large, clean with large water tubs and all have shade and nice sturdy dens to get out of the elements. Can't say enough about what a GREAT JOB this place is doing and definitely worth a visit.

No road sign for Horseshoe Road so we had a little trouble finding it until I turned on GPS. Somewhat depressing to see these animals in relatively small, old zoo type enclosures but this is better than the animals were receiving before being located here. Many were abused or had no place to go. All animals looked to be in good condition and receive good care by all volunteer staff. Many of the animals will not play nice with others because of the way they were raised is the reason for individual enclosures. The facility is clean and all volunteers were polite and helpful. You could take a tour or walk around by yourself.

This wildlife sanctuary is run totally by volunteers. The animals were abused or abandoned before they got there. They are now well cared for and comfortable. Most of them aren’t native to Florida so you won’t see them everywhere. I took some of the grandkids (in their 20’s) back there after close to fifteen years and they thought it was even better than before.

Very cool, enjoyed very much, they have a lot of animals, and are doing an awesome job!!!! Was visiting from Wisconsin

This non-profit rescues exoctic animals, which is wonderful. My husband and I came across the sanctuary on Group On and are so glad we went. You are so close to Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Oh, my! The have rescue from many different environments and situations. Do check it out to help continue support of these beautiful animals.

I had purchased a Groupon for Husband and I to visit. We spent a great morning here. The volunteers really love what they do and the animals. All the animals were waking up and very vocal when we parked the car. It is kind of fun to hear a lion roar as you are entering as well as the tigers.

It was an interesting visit and really sad how humans mess up animals by trying to keep them. Each animal had a plaque telling about them and how they can to be at the sanctuary.

We also saw our first Ligers. The pair is beautiful. It was fun to sit and watch the ligers watch small children by the fence.

We spent an hour and a half here. It was a warm day but we will visit again.

Wonderful Sanctuary, guided tours provide an informative up close and personal experience . Animal enclosures 10’ away. Not a ZOO a “ forever /retirement home” for exotic animals: lions, tigers, bears, wolves, parrots , alligators, hyenas…

This is not a zoo! This is a wildlife sanctuary. Cash or check only. This sanctuary is run by volunteers. All donations go to the care of the animals. See white tigers, bears, a black leopard, birds, orangutan, panther, fox, etc. These animals have been neglected, abandon or seized. They live out their lives in the sanctuary. The experience is very up close. The animals are beautiful, but unfortunately they cannot be released. They have a wonderful and caring retirement here. Bring your own snacks. You can get water and soda at the front desk. Open Saturdays and Sundays 11- 4. Horseshoe Road is right across from the main entrance of the Babcock Ranch planned community on RT. 31.

Very clean cages and the volunteers were working really hard and obviously cared for the animals. SO heartbreaking to see them in this environment after being so mistreated by their previous owners.

We had a great time here we found it accidentally while visiting the Solar City.
The lady that runs this place is awesome and we really enjoyed our self guided tour.
Call first the hours vary

Found out about this place while browsing Groupon for stocking stuffers for my granddaughter this past Christmas. Finally got there today. So totally surprised to find such an amazing place less than 20 miles from home. This is not a zoo. It is indeed a wonderful place for animals to live out the rest of their lives in safety and free of mishandling or abuse. The animals all look well taken care of and all people working with them seem to love what they are doing - as volunteers. Once you visit, you may want to include Octagon in your list of charities to which you donate. They truly do need donations to continue to survive. If you visit with children, I'd recommend only taking well mannered kids.

Enjoyed seeing all the animals. Especially like the Ligers. I’ve never seen one in any zoo so this was a first. I also really appreciate the rescue work Octagon has committed to.

I highly recommend this place for an afternoon of educational fun. I look forward to bringing my guests here. They do an amazing service to these abandoned and neglected animals.

So glad I visited Octagon with friends and family. This is such a wonderful haven for displaced animals. The care and dedication shown by worksers is heartwarming. Visiting with employees learned that many are volunteers, giving numerous days of their time to this sanctuary. On observation, one can tell that the animals are well cared for. The kindness extended to these animals can certainly be felt by any observer. The facility is very clean. Many tables are available for resting and watching the animals. At these tables there is sunscreen and mosquitoe deterrent for use if necessary. On the day of my visit there a variety of ages enjoying the environment.

Wasn't sure what to expect. Totally amazed that there were so many large wild animals. We thought maybe a couple of bears and a couple of tigers. What a huge collection of both! The grounds were well organized and fairly well maintained. Animals appeared to be well taken care of. There was no animal smell. This sanctuary exists on their donations. Please support it and visit it frequently. They do very good work there and rehabilitate old or injured wild animals.

Well worth the trip, which is a bit off the beaten path, to view the variety of animals this sanctuary has saved from an unhappy fate. Many big cats, and other animals to see up close and personal.

The sanctuary is so beautiful, well taken care of, and beautiful! The sanctuary is run purely by volunteers, and everyone there is so nice! All of the money goes to the care of the animals, and at the entrance there’s bug spray and sunscreen. I would definitely go back again!

This is an amazing place where exotic animals can be rescued, cared for, and live out their lives. It is not a zoo; the owner, Laurie, and the volunteers love these critters. There are many tigers, lions and bears, but also smaller animals to watch and wonder

We took our 3 and 6 year old granddaughters here late on a Saturday morning. The staff was friendly and several times took the time to point out an exhibit that we may have missed. The girls loved it and it was a great opportunity for us to educate them about the bad practices that caused these animals to end up here.

This is a no frills place where you can get fairly close to animals that you normally would not see. It's self guided, there is no food or drinks available onsite and they do not accept credit cards but the cost for admission is a bargain. It is only open Saturday and Sunday without an appointment. They do have picnic tables available but you need to be able to overlook the smells. We brought a picnic lunch but waited until we were leaving and ate in the car.

If your looking for entertainment go to Disney. This is not a zoo or attraction. It is a sanctuary for abandoned, neglected and unwanted exotic animals. These folks get no government support and the entire staff is volunteers. It is so sad that there is a need for a place like this but thankfully the people at Octagon give their time and talent to help these awesome animals have a comfortable life.

We were very disapointed at this place, it took about a hour to do the self guided tour, no shows, or anything else to do but look at the animals, they smell was awful, and the animals did not look well taken care of.

We were told that Octagon was a wildlife rescue for exotic animals. Not exactly! It is a place where exotic animals have been taken to when they've been taken away from people who no longer wanted them or were violating laws by keeping them. If you like cats, you'll love Octagon! There is a cranky old lion, a black leopard, a couple of cougars and about 10 beautiful Siberian tigers! There are also a number of bears, some monkeys, birds, a gator, etc. It is definitely a worthwhile cause and is worth seeing. You can get quite close to the cages and the animals.

There was hardly any staff there so not great for getting questions answered but lots of good signs that tell the stories of most of the animals. They really need to invest in some road side signs to make it easier to find! There is nothing on highway 31 that shows you where to turn. (Onto Horseshoe Road, west). Seriously, if you'd like more people to come, put up some directional signs!

Take your time and wander through the sanctuary. Take lots of pictures and enjoy all the wildlife. There are some fascinating stories! Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda is also worth the drive. It is a great place to visit and support.

It makes me sad to see the people who left this place less than 5 stars. They don't understand that this is not a place for your entertainment. In fact I'm sure the only reason they let people in is to collect money to take care of the animals and to raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals. This is a sanctuary, not a zoo.

It IS sad that the animals have to be in a place like this. But for all of them, this is a better place than they came from. Most of the animals have placards telling you their story, some are from overcrowded zoos, some are pets that ignorant people got didn't want anymore.

I was comforted by the fact that most of the animals seemed very content and relaxed. In fact the ONLY animals I saw pacing at all were "in estrous" or in heat, so that was explained.

While we were there we saw many volunteers cleaning cages and feeding. They were working so hard and knew so much about the animals. They were all very kind.

In response to other reviews that complain that the place isn't "shiny", again it is a not for profit retirement home for animals not something made for your entertainment. Everything is in good working condition, who cares if the tables and chairs that are set out for you to sit on are mismatched?

DEFINITELY go here, make a donation and say hello to these animals!

This place is amazing. They take in animals that have been mistreated and abused and give them attention with kindness.

We arrived early before the gate was opened. This was not a good idea because we needed to park on the side of the road. There is literally no place to go off the road unless the gate is open. We always wanted to visit the Wildlife Sanctuary and with a granddaughter and her BFF visiting it was a perfect time. This is a non-profit organization and there are no frills but it proved to be a most worthwhile visit. The animals are quite endearing and it is 'after all' the animals' sanctuary after abuse, abandonment or injury. We are allowed in to perhaps have a glimpse of something we have never seen and appreciate a form of life that is for the most part at the mercy of humanity and unfortunately inhumanity. The volunteers are dedicated and knowledgeable. It was well worth our time and donation to share a couple of hours with these animals.

Amazing...followed by ten more adjectives. This is a must for locals and the top of the list destination for visitors. I would describe Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary as zoo meets a tranquility garden. Instant relaxation. Limited hours daily. Weekdays 9AM - Noon. Parking is outside the sanctuary. Easy access for handicap and elderly. No animals like dogs are allowed. This place is peaceful and no matter how much your dog’s bark is cute to you, one bark would destroy the serenity. Please don’t leave a barking dog in your vehicle. The lot is 100 feet from the animal cages.

Fees are low. $5 for seniors and children. $10 adult. The walk from vehicle to entrance is a long city block. The staff is super friendly. The place is not that big, but big enough to see many different types of animals. What we liked were the many tables and chairs scattered everywhere. Each table also had complementary sun screen. Water is $1. I would suggest a picnic or beverages and take time to sit and relax. The many birds make for a wonderful audio experience.

The animals here are loved. Unlike a zoo where I feel sorry for the trapped animals, this rescue setting is much different. These beautiful animals are lucky to be at Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary. Everyone from visitors, volunteers and the animals are happy!

It’s located officially in Punta Gorda but that’s misleading. It’s not far from the Lee Civic Center and located across the road from the new Babcock Ranch (it’s worth checking out Babcock Ranch. There are a couple of great restaurants and an ice cream shop). Enjoy!

What a cool place to see lions, tigers, bears, monkeys!!! It's true they are very close to you! Small with lots of animals to view up close. Very impressive!!!

Easy to access. Get close to the animals and see beautiful rescued lions, tigers, coyotes and many other animals rescued from bad situations. Very reasonable admittance and just a very nice way to spend about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Tables and chairs are available for people to bring their own snacks or lunch. Simply a very nice way to donate to a very good cause. Easy access for people with disabilities.

Learned of this place on Strange Inheritance and glad we did as this was an unplanned visit and so glad we went.
Off the beaten trail and not commercial. They are not funded and solely rely on donations and volunteers.
These animals are well taken care of and happy.
It was amazing just getting out of the car to hear the roars of Mufasa, in the parking lot.

To be able to see the animals so close and be able to interact with them priceless.

This was a great visit. As long as you don't go in thinking this is a zoo you will truly appreciate the dedication of all the volunteers that take such good care of that animals there. We were the only visitors there for the first hour. Lucky enough to hear the lions 'talking '. Which meant incredible roars to hear in person. Almost all the animals had their back story written near their enclosures, that part was sad. But glad to know there are facilities available so they can live out their lives in peace. Seeing a Liger (Lion and Tiger) was very interesting, even if unnatural in nature. You won't be disappointed.

My Family enjoyed every minute of it. It was very interesting and sad to see different animals and read about there background. But you see the animals in a better place they look so happy and relaxed and they are being well taken care of. Its so much better than any zoo you'll ever go to and your up close and personal. We will be coming back. Great family trip!

This is a wonderful rescue that is definitely worth the visit. One can tell that this is a labor of love. The animals a well cared for and loved. Octagon is doing a GREAT job.

This is a great place to go see or bring company. Through truly philanthropic work of the owner as well as the tons of volunteers the work being done to save these animals lives is truly inspiring. This is very well laid out facility that showcases animals that have been saved from horrible situations and given a safe healthy environment to live out the remainder of their lives. Each habitat has a plaque that tells each animals story. Sometimes they are difficult to read as your heart goes out to these defenseless victims. This wonderful facility is run on donations from the public and very little if any government funding. Not only a great place to support but an inspiring day out.

I've been to the Octagon several times; always take family when they come to town. The cages are within 8 feet of you and its a little scary! I love it everytime!

This is where you get to see big cats up close. Just an amazing selection of big cats and wildlife on display at Octagon. It's not a zoo and is well worth the money. Not a fancy place because it's maintained by dedicated volunteers but well worth the trip. Admission is $10 and the money is used to buy food for the animals and keep the place up to help the animals.

This place is well worth a visit. The work they do is all on a voluntary basis and well worth the $10 admission. The animals are obviously well looked after and it's so heart warming to see people helping animals that have had a rough life. There were a lot more animals than I expected, the staff were really friendly and the little biographies of each animal helped to understand their backgrounds and behaviours.

If you want to see wild animals, huge wild animals. This for you! We lived our visit and highly recommend it!

I have been several times! The love, care and tretment these aniamals receive is remarkable! They have dozens of different species from birds to donkeys to panthers to bobcats to lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!!! I love this place!!!!!!

It's a great place to take little ones. They take great care of the animals and the volunteers work really hard. I wish they would sell cold beverages and have more shady areas to sit. It's not fun when it's summertime in Florida.

Although the place looks slightly worn from the outside and is off the beaten track, it is well worth a visit! The experience was truely unique as you get to see the animals up close and see how your money really benifits the animals. As this is a sactuary for abused and neglected animals it is extremely eye opening and the volunteers and staff there are more than willing to answer any questions, making it a perfect trip for all the family! I will definitely be going back!

We visited this sanctuary on 3/26/17. Beautiful sanctuary and wonderful people that volunteer their time to help the animals. All of the animals are rescues and while their stories are sad it's so awesome to see these animals get a second chance

They have a great story to tell about their purpose and it's nice to see these animals well cared for. They have a really nice selection of various species and you can see them well. Easy to walk around.

great place. so nice to have a rescue place like this. very interesting to read about the animals there and know why they had to be rescued

This is an ideal place to teach your older children about wild animals. The animals are here mostly because they lost their homes or were mistreated in the past and you can learn about their backgrounds and stories. It is an excellent Nonprofit for donations or to buy something from to help support the animals that live out their lives their. It has been around for years and years. Unfortunately, it can flood during the rainy season and of course, can be very hot visiting in the summer. Seniors 55 and over are just $5!

Like seeing them in the wild close up. Volunteers are very informative about the animals, where they were taken in from and feeding time is something else to see. Animals are very well taken care of. You can even hear the roar of the lions up close.

We had a great time. It was nice being able to get up close to all the animals. Much better than a zoo! It’s not an all day event- Maybe just an hour or two. We purchased the groupon.

We drove up to Octagon from Bonita which was a pretty long drive and the kids were restless. Luckily, as soon as you walk in, there's plenty of animals to see. Lions and Tigers and Bears...oh my! It's cool to see all the volunteers there to help care for the animals. It seems that the enclosures are pretty small and I'm not sure if that's done for a reason or if it's just a funding issue, but for the size of the animals - they seemed a bit cramped. A lot of these animals were abused and given up by owners who didn't know how to care for exotic wildlife. It's easy to see that the folks at Octagon really do care about the animals and have developed a relationship with them. The kids enjoyed seeing the animals closer than at a regular zoo and we read them the information about the animals and what happened to them. I wish Octagon all the best in keeping these animals safe and happy!

Dirt paths and minimal cages. But the five of us, ages 9 to 72 were all fascinated by the stories of the volunteers who care for these animals. The animals are fascinating, too; some are aggressive, some very passive, some friendly, some not, but you sure feel for our fellow travelers who have come from "broken homes," illegal possession, and too big to care for. Octagon is not too far from Fort Myers, about 30-45 minutes.
I will go back with most of my winter visitors to see this sanctuary. Lions, tigers, panthers, and a lot of things you might have to ask "what are they?"

I’ll just go ahead and say it. You can’t walk through the gates of Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary on a guided tour and come out the same person you were before. Not if your heart is beating.

Nestled in a secluded animal mecca near the Babcock Ranch proximity of Punta Gorda, live 57ish forms of wildlife who have found their forever home in Octagon, most of whom would not be alive had it not been for the compassionate hearts who saved these sentient beings.

Yes, of course, this Disneyland For Wildlife has lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! (admit it, you saw that one coming), but so much more, including species you would not expect to see at a wildlife sanctuary.

For example, the homing pigeons who landed at Octagon because they were orphaned and have no knowledge of how to forage for food.

As well as the alligator who grew up in a bathtub (don't even get me started).

How about the pair of Macaws that were rescued from a dentist's office after the patients were teaching them one too many curse words ?

And the monkey (cue the waterworks, it’s ok to cry along with me) who was abandoned in a cage and left at the gates to Octagon on Thanksgiving Day.

We can’t forget the baboon who spins gleefully on three legs when he thinks no one is watching, which is extraordinary when you learn that he came to Octagon because of a history of being mentally abused.

The one thing they all have in common? They’re all rescues. All of these majestic creatures have been rescued and offered a New Beginning to live out the rest of their lives in a place where they are happy and well-cared for.

In fact, Octagon was rated as one of the Top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in the country for the happiest animal residents. Now, that’s saying something.

Octagon even has resident "squatters", i.e. animals that don't need to be here but choose to be, for example Blue, the handsome peacock who hangs out to spread his beautiful plumage for the lady hens (hang in there, pal, one day you might get lucky) and the ibis who travel in and out to the sanctuary, to score a free meal and to swap stories with their friends.

The feeling of joy is palpable as you walk along the path, as every animal resident (humans too) was thrilled to see my tour guide, Tracey Pirozzi, chuffing at the fence to gain her attention.

No animal is ever asked to do anything it doesn't want to do. Every enclosure is arranged to make the animal as comfortable as possible. In fact, enclosures are often customized to the resident to work around any historical triggers they may have.

In addition to the opportunity to see these precious animals thriving at their new beginnings, the tour also was extremely educational. I learned so much, as did the others in my tour group. Tracey kept things light and informative, engaging everyone in fun games and quizzes along the way.

While fielding questions and engaging us with the animals along the way, Tracey speaks earnestly and passionately about the purpose, about the origins, of Octagon. I shed a few tears (maybe more than a few) when I saw how dear this place is to her heart. And it's easy to see why.

Every animal here is given some sort of enrichment, something to keep their mind stimulated, which is critical to their overall well-being, whether it's a large ball that they can push around, a hanging crate of meat that they have to unpuzzle to claim, or a TV to watch their favorite cartoon. And marshmallows! Psst, Tracey, how about another marshamllow, puhhhhleeeeezzzzzz?

As a 501(c)(3) nonrprofit organization, Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary depends entirely upon donor support, with no government assistance. As you can imagine, Octagon has a hefty expenditure in just keeping their doors open. Their food bill alone, as you can imagine (we saw one tiger tackle five chickens for breakfast), runs in the tens of thousands of dollars every month.

Not only that, but there are no paid jobs here. The facility is managed by a 100% volunteer workforce, and every volunteer we encountered had a huge smile on their face, and a fierce passion upon their brows. We could feel it. The animals could feel it.

The guided tour is suited for people of all ages, a terrific way to spend the morning. One little boy in our tour group was so engaged and so spot-on with the answers to Tracey’s questions that I’m pretty sure that he'll soon be a tour guide 😝.

For Southwest Florida residents or for visitors from out of town, I highly recommend this opportunity to see nature at its best. I give it four paws up. To make your tour extra special, make a reservation for the 9:30am tour on Thursdays, so Tracey can show you this magical place!

This place is awesome. It's like a retirement home for animals. So many tigers. We spent about an hour here.

This place is awesome. The stories behind the animals that are being saved and protected makes this place even more amazing. Recommend this to any animal lover.

love it here. lots of animals. lots of tables and chairs so can bring a pinic lunch. soda and water available for 1 dollar. look on groupon as thry have good deals for here

This is a well operated animal sanctuary. the animals all appeared very happy. self guided tour, $10 bucks is a steal to see this place.
Saw several exotic and natural animals such as Tigers, Bears, Lion, bobcat, a bird sanctuary, tortise, coyote and more.
the animals all had "toys"! You can see how they love to play with them too!
They do ask that you keep children under supervision and control at all times. Remember, You are in those animal's Home now. they like quiet and respect. offer them that, and they will respect you in return. maybe a playful show even!

wear a very decent pair of walking shoes or better yet, hiking/mud boots. parking lot and walking path can be dirty or even muddy at times. its crushed sand and shell rock.

This is a hidden treasure off the beaten path. Extremely friendly and dedicated volunteers make it a laid-back and pleasurable time strolling along the path between the animal enclosures. There was a small bus load of students there but because they insist on adults with every group and extreme quiet with the animals it wasn't a problem. Quite shaded and even on a hot day it was pleasant. You never get this close to these type of animals in a zoo. And for the most part they were interested in the people watching them and even some of the primates interacted with you a little bit.

Most of the enclosures had a small write-up about the animal and how it came to be at the sanctuary. And then they had an extensive write-up about the species including all that General background. Quite well done. We thoroughly enjoyed the couple hours that we spent there. We did not feel rushed or crowded the entire time we were there.

It reminded both of us of the movie, 'We bought a zoo'. You can see that all the animals are extremely healthy and very well cared for.

Octagon is an ideal family excursion for the whole family. Our guide,Candy,was very knowledgeable about each of the animals there. She provided Interesting stories about them. I was impressed with the size and design of the cages.The volunteers are a dedicated group,who genuinely care about each animal's welfare.

I have lived near here for years and never thought to go I guess because it was in my own back yard. But so glad I finally did. There are many animals to see, more than I thought and they are obviously well taken care of and have clean enriching environments. The place itself is a little down and dirty but it's a private sanctuary after all in the country, so it doesn't have a slick corporate feel. Broken statues, no manicured lawns, but look past all that because the people are very nice and the animals amazing. Just down the road is the Babcock Eco Swamp Buggy Tour with a great restaurant, so make a day of it and do both. Highly recommend.

Found this on trip advisor and glad we went. This sanctuary takes in neglected animals and gives them a safe home. We saw lots of lions, tigers, bears and monkeys. Each had a plaque which told their story. Some came from zoos and circuses and others were pets whose owners obviously couldn't care for them. The animals were clean and well cared for by volunteers. Parking was free, you can bring in food and drinks as there are no concession stands and bathrooms are port o potties which were clean.

We really enjoyed our visit here. You could see the animals up close so much easier than at a regular zoo. This place is for such a great cause and absolutely worth the visit.

when I first walked in, I was in shock at how small the cages were for such large carnivores. Half the animals had zoochosis, pacing back and forth in circles for hours. The lions did not look healthy. Volunteer Jackie said they only feed the hyenas every 3 days as if that was somehow educational 🤦🏻‍♂️. Pack animals were isolated. I left in tears. Every animal there needs to be rescued and put in a facility that cares and has the room to house larger carnivorous.

A rustic wildlife sanctuary with a large collection of rescued animals; big cats, bears, birds, hyenas, monkeys, etc.

What an extraordinary place hidden off a back road. Lions, tigers and bears (oh my) all of which have been rescued from abusive situations. Oh, yes, they also have apes, birds, ducks and a donkey. This is a bare bones operation, with no pretense of anything other than caring for the animals and plants on the property. The caretakers can tell you all about each resident's history and personality. Definitely should be on your bucket list for this area.

This is not a zoo, or a petting zoo. Don't look for ice cream, soda, and popcorn. It's a true sanctuary for big abused animals. The animals are very close as you walk through. It's a good lesson for all families to see what not to do when shopping for pets! There are stories of each tiger and bear and how they got to Octagon. It's very sad how abused some of these "retired circus" animals and "pets" got here. We are now regular visitors and donors to the Octagon Wildlife center. There is no entrance fee but they ask for a donation, which is totally worth it!

Amazing experience to see lions and tigers and bears up close and personal. Thank God for the caretakers, who do this as on a volunteer basis. It cost $10 to get in, but I gave more on the way out because I saw children of all ages, and adults who were in awe of these majestic animals. The animals are well taken care of, and are animals that were rescued, either from abusive situations or the owners couldn't take care of them anymore. Well worth a morning and early afternoon adventure. God Bless the Keepers.

The volunteers are so kind and there’s an abundance of rescued critters at the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary

Octagon was something of a surprise in that there were more tigers than I expected. In fact, there were more tigers than any other animal. You are fairly close to the animals in their cages and can get some great photos. And, the tigers all didn't look the same in coloring. Our granddaughter likes white tigers and they had a couple of white tigers. The photo is of two tigers who were sisters, one a white tiger. The facility looked clean and one tiger reacted very positively to one of the worker volunteers. The staff (volunteers) was friendly and helpful.

We saw Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary on BayNews 9 trip on a tankful and decided we wanted to come and visit the lions,tigers and bears! What a pleasant visit all the animals are well cared for and it was great to see and learn all about them. This is a great place for adults and children to visit.

This place is worth the trip. I expected to see a few animals but they have LOTS. Tigers, lions, bears, fox, and some critters I’ve never heard of before. And such a worthy cause. They are taking care of all these animals that have been abandoned or mistreated. And it’s all done with donations and volunteers. Amazing. You can bring your own snacks or lunch - there are lots of tables and chairs spread throughout the park.

Friends took me there, I am from NJ and love taking care of the animals I found this to be a small but interesting place to visit so up and close to the animals, beautiful tigers, bears, cougars, turtles, etc great for a family visit. I would go back enjoyed seeing all the rescues there.

It was a privilege to see these magnificent animals close up. Kudos to the owner and her team of volunteers for providing a safe haven and a forever home for these animals. The Sanctuary is clean (yet modest in accommodations), the animals all look well-cared for, and there is an excellent effort toward educating visitors. You'll not only read about the sad circumstances that brought each animal to Octagon, but also information about the particular species. A hidden gem practically in our backyard! Support them!

This exotic wildlife sanctuary is inspirational and educational - A welcoming home for abused and older animals whom are well cared for and loved here. All age visitors can learn about these beautiful, awesome and powerful creatures and where they come from and how they are now cared for. You can get up close! Great passion and care come from the folks and vets that care for the magnificent and beautiful animals here. I highly recommend a visit, this is a spot not to be missed. Upon my first visit a few years ago, I am now a regular 5-6 times per year, the donations we provide support this wonderful sanctuary!

Looking for something to do when we came across this place wow it was so neat to be able to come so close to the animals that were there it's great saying abused animals and animals that may have been neglected so well taken care of thank God for these rescue places and sanctuaries and for all the volunteers that give up their time to help and make this place what it is thank you to all the volunteers I definitely will be returning for another visit

It was nice to see all the animals. They have added some new ones since we were there last and it is much cleaner. There were 2 sister bears playing with each other and enjoyed that.

Nice place to visit on a day trip. Well maintained and animals are taken care of. This is where injured or abused animals can go and have a safe, secure and friendly environment to spend out their lives. This is not a zoo, these are animals that can not be reintroduced to the wild and are either injured or have previously been abused in some way, so they're taken in here to be taken care of.

Visited with my granddaughter who is 3. It had mostly tigers. The viewing is definitely up close and worth the visit

I did not know what to expect? But the people that run this place love the animals and you can it by the condition of the animals. They look healthy nice fur and are in very clean cages. All the animals are rescues from Zoos and people that buy the animals and think they can just keep wild animals as pets. Hat off to them we will return with our Grandkids next week,

We visited on a Sunday afternoon. The Sanctuary has virtually no signage so it can be hard to find. It’s family owned and operated and seems to have a good reputation in the industry, based on the animals' stories printed on the signs on each cage. All the cages are very clean and the animals have a variety of toys for enrichment. Most of the tigers and ligers also have a big concrete water tub to play in and they seem to love it. Most of the animals are active and moving around, not just laying in a corner like you see in zoos so often. Several of the animals had pumpkins in their cages to play with, which was fun to watch. We watched a keeper put one in a tiger cage and then hide it inside a big tube (maybe 18” diameter and 4’ tall) so the tiger had to work to find it. That drew quite a crowd of watchers. A lion was having a great time with his, rolling it down a ramp, tossing it in his pond, and then retrieving it. Their animals included lions, coatimundi, bears, hyenas, bobcats, a serval, another cat of some kind, macaws, peacocks, pigeons, a baboon, a couple monkeys, two wolves, some coyotes, an iguana, and others I'm sure I've forgotten. It's clear that the family works hard to keep the animals happy and well cared for. The Sanctuary can always use volunteers and donations, which you might want to remember when you visit.

My wife and I visited today with a group. Fantastic work these volunteers do. This is certainly worth a trip to see these rescued animals who are well taken care of. All proceeds go directly to animal care. Our volunteer "guide" was very informative and showed that she truly loves the animals. I recommend not only a visit but support of this worthwhile animal rescue facility.

A wonderful, clean,impressive rescue. All of the animals seemed relaxed in their environment...the three bears were enjoying their oversized pool while the tigers seemed very content. This is a great place for a stroll, we walked around it twice so that we didnt miss anything. A lot of tables and chairs to sit and watch your favorite animal.

This was a nice place. Really sweet animals. Their stories were really sad. Not sure why people think exotic animals would be good pets? It seems like the care takers at the sanctuary take good care of them and at least they are in a good place now

Decided to take the 45 minute drive from Port Charlotte to see this place based on the very good TA reviews. The volunteers that work here are very friendly and personable. Parking is free and the admission was 10.00 for adults, 5.00 for seniors and I didn't really pay attention to the children's prices as we didn't have any with us. The grounds are very clean and the animals appear to be well cared for although their caged areas seem to be very small for the size of some of the animals. It was really something to be up close to the lions, tigers, bears, hyenas, etc. Most of the cages have literature on the history of the animal with some of the signage unreadable and old. The hours are very short Mon - Fri 9-12 and Sat 11-4, I believe it is closed Sunday. Highly recommended day trip if you have little ones. Pet are not allowed however I am not certain about service pets.

What a wonderful place and great people. All these animals are rescued for one reason or another and brought here to recover and live out there lives. Few can ever be returned to the wild.

We were so glad we went over to see this. This is really a place that is an act of love. We saw bobcats, tigers, lions, bears, peacocks, monkeys and turkey vultures. Go early in the summer due to heat.

With the purest of hearts, the owner has chosen to house, feed and provide a "retirement home" for all of these beautiful animals. So many various stories of how they ended up here...go and enjoy and learn. Appreciate the stories of each and every one of these "retirees"...hopefully be inspired to contribute to the never-ending task of finding food and medication for the inhabitants. The large array of animals is amazing...and their stories are endearing. Don't miss this wonderful venue in Punta Gorda!

If you enjoy seeing Tigers,Lions, Bears etc. this venue is for you. There is an abundance of Tigers of all kinds. You can watch them being fed. Call ahead for feeding times. Amazing, how many they actually have there. The staff is very friendly and informative about each animal. This is not a zoo and is a refuge for animals where previous owners can no longer care for them. Many other animals are on display and cared for. This is the best place to view these great creatures. Rustic location across from Babcock Ranch. Limited hours of operation for the public.

So glad they have these kind of refuges of mishandled and old animals. The Volunteer are great and they are always in need of things to keep this place opened. Ask the about the story on her started it. The cages are so clean and the people do so much in giving care for these big animals. We went when second grade school bus came in and they love the animals and were so excited, there goes the peach and quite but it was worth all those children smiles. Make sure you call first, because you just can not walk in. They have certain hours. I was surprise to find out that a Big Brown Bear has Demetria . My guest took me so now I will take any guest to it . It is so sad but you can tell they are well taken care of now. a lot of work goes into them and all the people will talk about it. There is plenty of places to sit down on the paths.

You will fall in love with the dedication and work the staff does for these animals. They provide comfort, care, compassion, dignity, and respect for these wonderful creatures. This is a learning experience when going there. When you talk to the volunteers you understand how much they love these animals and how they feel about what they are doing. Always check their hours and days before you go. I would highly recommend this experience. Takes only a few hours to walk through.

If you want to get really close to Tigers, Tigons (I never knew there was such an animal as a Tigon - a combination of a Tiger and Lion that was illegally bred) and other incredible animals - this is the place to visit!!

We watched with our eyes wide open as a 2 year old Tigon stood on his legs and stretched to about 10 feet high - just five feet away from us. The signage teaches you about the animals, and all the staff are super friendly.

We all enjoyed out visit! Better than any zoo.

This is an incredible facility staffed by all volunteers. All animals in the facility are rescued from many bad situations. It is incredible to see the bond the volunteers have with the animals and how well they are cared for. The only bathrooms are porta-potties but the experience is worth the inconvenience.

Unique habitat upclose experience variety of species good size lots to see. Id definately go again good time

This is a great experience for animal lovers. It allows you to get very close to some very magnificent animals. Not the cleanest place but i enjoy it very much.

Every visitor to our home and area gets the opportunity to visit this place!
Always a greAt experience and always encourage the donation to help the burds

Love it here we try and go twice a year. The animals are adorable and the mission of the sanctuary is EXCELLENT!! Great for kids and adults and love the message!

The Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is a great way to spend an afternoon for those who love animals. I was blown away by how close you are to the animals. We went on a Saturday and the day was rather cool, so most of the animals were rather active and gave us a good "show". I would recommend wearing closed-toe shoes as the walking paths are dirt, or shoes that you don't mind getting a little dusty and dirty. There are places all around the inside of the sanctuary to sit and gaze, we spent around 1.5 hours walking around (we really took our time). Also the restroom facilities are porta johns for those who are concerned. Hand down this is the highlight of my vacation!!!

It was nice. The price was right. I was truly surprised by the amount of exotic animals that was there.

This is not a major tourist attraction. It is a labor of love. These are all rescued animals being taken care of by volunteers. Please vist and donate to the care of these animals you will be glad you did.

We just happen to find this place on Groupon. It is not an impressive set-up but it is impressive with the amount of big cats and bears that you see. There were about 20-25 different big cats and at lease 10-15 bears. Not to mention a number of other animals that were rare to see. We spent a good 90 minutes here and could have spent more time. Vary impressed!!!!

Note, it is a little out of the way and the hours are limited so make sure you check in advances. Also, there are only portable toilets so make sure you go to the bathroom before you get there.

A great place to take family and friends. Make sure to wear sunblock :) Glad to know they are giving these animals a second chance after being neglected. Friendly staff!!!

This is the best Wildlife Sanctuary I have been at so far here in FL. This place if off the beaten path, but definitely worth seeing. It is a small place but they have lots of animals, especially Cats (even more than the Big Cat Habitat). The cages are set up very close together in front of each other. So in order for you to see the animals you have to walk between the cages and you'll be really close to the tigers and bears. A little scary, but awesome! The entrance fee is $10 for adults, seniors and kids $5 (under 7 free), but all of the money goes to taking care of the animals. If you go during feeding time you'll see that the animals get lots of meat, fruits and fresh vegetables. If you are driving from Fort Myers/Cape Coral to Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte make sure you stop by and check out this place. Very important, they only open Saturdays and Sundays 11-4pm.

My husband and I spent an afternoon at this unusual zoo. It really is a rescue center for our large wildlife that have been abused or abandoned. You can see what a struggle it is for the owner to care, nurse and feed these animals and she deserves a lot of credit along with the volunteers. There is a small charge as well as donations if possible. Cold beverages are for sale and you can enjoy a picnic if desired. What I found most interesting about this refuge was that it was a feature story on FOX TV "Strange Inheritance " featuring Jamie Colby. The previous owner was ill, married his partner and left the Zoo to her when he died. None of his family wanted it and would have sold it. His partner loved the animals and wanted to carry on his work. A worthwhile visit.

We went to the open house as the admission is free. There were about 1,100 taking advantage of this. They are open weekends and normal admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Not many animals all in small cages. There were 4 tigers, 1 lion,
a couple of bears, turtles, peacocks, coyote and some geese. A lot of the cages were empty. Lots and lots of mosquitoes so felt like we were getting eaten alive.There are only two portable toilets for restroom. Photos of animals are hard to get as it is all fenced in. We don't think we would go again.

I have visited nearly every animal sanctuary and zoo in Florida and Octagon has definitely now risen to the top. It was amazing to be within feet of these majestic creatures. I could smell the main lion’s breath as he was constantly asserting himself by grunting and roaring to seemingly make his alpha status known to his neighbor lion and all others. Our hearts were tugged by the animals’ background stories but then relief settled in once you see how well cared for they are here. The front greeter, Art, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the sanctuary and surrounding area. I would allow 2 hours for the tour as it isn’t a big place. There are many covered seating options to stay longer and peacefully observe the array of animals. There is also a small souvenir shop at the entrance/exit where you can leave a much needed donation and further help the sanctuary by purchasing a reminder of your visit, such as a beautiful onyx bracelet with a lion head pendant. We will definitely come back!

Love this place. As all the other reviews state, you get to see amazing animals up close. The had an array of different animals. We spent over 4 hours there and will be going back. Could not believe how inexpensive it was. Seniors and children is $5 and adults are $10.

It is a treat to see animals that are usually seen in a zoo. Those here have been rescued as they were wrongly assumed to become pets.

Was looking for a different way to spend some quality time with my daughter, 6 years old, and came upon Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary. She loves animals so we checked it out.

Very impressed with the number of animals at this sanctuary. All animals are rescues or retired performers. Many cats, bears, and a few monkeys.Enclosures were easy to view and still provided the animals with room to stretch out and find privacy.

The staff is 100% volunteer and are willing to answer any questions they can.

These rescued animals are lovingly cared for. When I went there was no entrance fee.
I liked the cleanliness and the staff was very informative. It is only open weekends.

Great experience overall. Our tour guide Candie was amazing. She was knowledgeable on the animals. She made the tour fun. She provided us with great animal specific stories regarding their circumstances. I left with a greater appreciation for the animals.

We decided to make the drive from Orlando and it was definitely worth it. The place is in the middle of nowhere, down a private road. I found a Groupon which gave us a discount, so it was 6 bucks for each of us. The staff was very nice. You can tell they care about their rescues. They had a variety of animals including bears, tigers and monkeys. The animals all look well cared for. They each had their sad story of what landed them there.

Little known sanctuary for abused or neglected wild animals...big cats, birds, etc. that people should never attempt to raise or train. Very clean. Kind, dedicated folks care for the animals and their environs. Not fancy. Nice history with each animal.

A wonderful place for all ages. Animals are well taken care of by all volunteers who genuinely care for these animals. Run on donations so please give a little extra when you visit if you can.

A place where rescued animals are rehabilitated. A good place to visit as it contributes to these lovely animals wellbeing. These animals have gotten hurt by humans in one way or the other.

There are mostly large cats, such as tigers,lions, ligers but also hyenas, bears, alligators etc.
Our kids loved to see them up close!

We stop by when we go to Arcadia. Right off of hwy 31 and across from Babcock Ranch. This is a nursing home for wild animals that were bred in captivity. All volunteer staff.

Really good and clean facility. These animals are beautiful and the staff is friendly. It is impressive. I wish we could have spent more time there. Will definitely go back again!

We had a great time today at Octagon. The animals were so well kept and all looked in great shape. We really liked the many tigers and lions. The bears were fun especially when they were playing in the water. A great place for kids.

Wonderful experience, tour has to be booked in advance. The animals looked well cared for. Able to see then quite up close and the tour incorporated feeding times. Tour guide was lovely and knowledgeable.

Our snowbird relatives have been coming to Port Charlotte, FL for 14 yrs. but had never been to Octagon. My husband and I had been there a couple of years earlier when the grandkids came to visit. So last year the 4 of us adults went and had a grand time. Because we are older, we strolled the park slowly, but no one hurried us along and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all these beautiful animals, in cages, but being pampered and taken care of, so well!

I recommend visiting Octagon when you have a chance, either with someone who is visiting you or on your own.

This place was a Great Experience!
The children in our group range from ages 7-18 years old.
It was neat being so close to wild and endangered animals.
Although each animal had a biography posted outside their large cages, it would have been nice to have someone guide us through and talk to us about the different animals. The volunteers were able to answer any extra questions we had in mind, but at the same time, the children were hesitant to ask too many questions because the volunteers were busy at work cleaning the cages and feeding the animals.
All of us were mesmerizing & had deep thoughts about the conditions these animals were rescued from. Overall, everyone in the group was happy we took the time to visit the Sanctuary.

This place is worth the trip. Fantastic place to see exotic animals. It is not a zoo but a rehabilitation learning facility and forever home for no longer needed or wanted and mistreated exotic animals. First time I have ever heard a lion roar. Well worth the trip

We came across this Centre on the website and decided to reserve a spot to come for a visit. There is a small donation requested for each visitor to help offset the costs of the food. Most of the work done are performed by volunteers (there are signs up asking for volunteers!!)
The caged animals seem very content and well fed. You can see the "love" the volunteers have for the animals as they seem to be very caring.
The caged area around the small lake is quite noisy with the various types of ducks and other birds.
it is sad to see the need for this rehab centre but certainly glad to see someone step forward and being supported by so many visitors.

Special little sanctuary where they accept donations and volunteers are their mainstay.
They do amazing beneficial work here. It was rather emotional - sad/happy. Sad that so many of these animals had to be rescued from abuse, neglect etc but then happy they are now safe and as healthy as possible. Amazing volunteers to do all this work with only donations to support. So glad there is a place like this to help animals that would not survive out in their natural habitats. Of course you always wish cages could be bigger, more this/that but it is great what they have accomplished here. Lions, tigers, bears, wolves, fox, gators, birds, monkeys, & so many more! It is small and you can walk around in about an hour or so. Can be tricky to find - it is a short drive out of town but worth it. Great family spot and educational - a must go.

Great way to see some rescued Wildlife. The staff take a lot of pride in these animals and it shows. There is a nice variety of animals to see at this wonderful sanctuary.

What a delightful surprise forty minutes from downtown Punta Gorda. The Octagon Sanctuary is home to neglected and abused exotic animals. Some have been beaten to perform in circuses, others obtained as "pets" not thinking they would grow and wild animal means wild animal as opposed to "normal house pet". Our club made reservations for a guided tour. We were led by Sandy, a wonderful compassionate volunteer with tremendous knowledge of each animals background. The "staff" of volunteers is amazing with the amount of cleaning, feeding etc. that they do. We have been to a number of zoos and this facility was a first with no odors rather a distinct odor of bleach. Some of the animals have TV's, all have toys, many have pools. It is a unique establishment. We would strongly urge anyone traveling this area to visit the area. Call ahead to get the times they are open. Due to USDA regulations no house pets are allowed. Tables (under a shaded tree) are available to have a picnic and enjoy peace and tranquility. The entrance is a flat,dirt road which can allow wheelchair access. There are two large "portable bathrooms".

An awesome amount of animals here in the sanctuary and a nice place for them since they’re not able to be in their natural wild habitat. Lions, tigers, bears, hyenas, coatimundi, birds, goats, and others live here in nice sized cages. Its nice to support their endeavors. We visited in the early afternoon and most animals were asleep. I imagine their active time is early morning and evening but not sure they have open hours then. Got some good pictures though and enjoyed seeing the different types of tigers and bears.

I went to visit Octagon, and it seems like the animals are very cared for. Had a very nice visit there. This would make for a nice Family visit, or to bring out of town guests.

Short distance from Fort Myers. The volunteers were very interactive and loved talking about the animals! They would talk as they were feeding and cleaning after the animals! Monday and Thursday morning is a great time to watch the animals eat since they are getting a bigger feeding. The animals were pretty active considering the Florida heat! A treasure for all! They rely on donations so please consider visiting or leaving a donation! They are doing great work for the animals under their care!

Octagon is doing excellent work with rescued animals, and it's a rare opportunity to get close to tigers and lions and bear without having to go to a zoo. The place is run on a shoestring and looks it, but the proximity to wild animals and the knowledge that they have been saved makes this a heartwarming experience for all ages. I'm with Andrea N. who called it "the best $10 I've spent in a long time."

Bought a groupon and enjoyed about an hour of my day seeing the exotic cats in their retired environment.even. Even without the groupon this is a very inexpensive place to visit. I think I will go again with my other grandchildren. They take very good care of these animals and the cages are very large.

Wow! What a marvelous experience we had on our tour of the Octagon Sanctuary. The incredibly dedicated staff were knowledgeable and very friendly to our group. The unpaid volunteers do it all and appear to be happy to do even more for the animals they care for. It was patently obvious that our guide Tracy, was not just a tour guide but also a loving caretaker of a spectacular array of animals. Her knowledge of each animal’s history and particular traits was indeed impressive and added so much to the experience. The excellent care and living conditions provided by the staff was exemplified by the engagement, and obvious well-being, of all of the resident animals. Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! And so many more… I cannot recommend this place enough!!

We heard about this place from a friend. It is not a zoo. It is not fancy. It is not expensive. But what it does do brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. They take injured, mistreated, and unwanted animals that would otherwise live a miserable life and die prematurely, and THEY TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AND CARE FOR THEM. Everyone who works there is a volunteer who loves animals and is giving them a better life than they had before. There is nothing more to say. The people here are angels to these animals.

We have visited the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary three times now. What a great place. There is absolutely nothing fancy about the Octagon, but the love of animals is obvious. When you arrive you'll park in a dusty parking lot. The Sanctuary is dated, rustic and the perfect place to spend some time relaxing, learning and viewing some of the greatest animals that you'll ever see. Most of these animals have been abandon, uncared for by previous owners, gotten too big for someone to take care of or someone simply couldn't afford to take care of the animals any longer. The Octagon takes them in and cares for them. Tigers, Bears, Birds, Monkeys Etc... This is a great place to visit with your family and take your time to learn what it can mean to take care of an animal when no one else wants it. Rustic? Yes, Dated? Yes, Dusty and Simple? Yes Rewarding Visit? YOU BET.

Purchased tickets on Groupon. Made plans to go, arrived at gate and they were closed for Covid.

I understand the closing part but I can’t wrap my head around selling on Groupon if you are not open! Disappointing!

This is a non profit organization which has been taking in rescue animals for over 40 years and vows to be their "forever home". These are not animals taken from the wild, Some have special needs both physical and mental. Volunteer efforts and generous donations keep the sanctuary going. While the brochure says to ask for admission prices, I think it's a "suggested donation". (My husband gave for our group.) This would be a great family trip and ones the kid in each of us can enjoy. There's a wide range of animals which are stimulated by daily enrichment.

A cool place to see some big wild animals up close. The best thing about this place is that they truly care about helping displaced and/or mistreated animals. The staff is very friendly and informative. There is a good variety of animals, the grounds and cages looked clean, and it's just a cool place to stop in for a quick visit.

This was our second time visiting the Octagan. My boys (ages 9 and 12) remembered each animals name and story from the year prior. Staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Animals are very well maintained and have been saved from tragic situations. Each animal has a plaque with their name, a little bit about their native environment, and how they came to be at the Octagon. Up close and personal experience. I have never had the opportunity to see such big cats that close before. Highly recommend for all ages. There are chairs and tables to sit in the shade and observe animals. We could've stayed the entire day just walking around and seeing what each animal was up too.

Tried to visit a few years ago, but it wasn't open. Glad we made it this time. Such beautiful animals! This sanctuary is a must see. Lions and tigers and bears.. oh my and much more!

Your donation is well spent at this sanctuary where there are dozens of previously abused or illegally kept animals living comfortably and well cared for now. It’s bigger than it may look when you enter. Go straight ahead, turn right then zig zag your way back to the entrance so you don’t miss any animals and their posted stories. You can get very close to the big cats and bears. Admission is ridiculously cheap so leave an extra something to help keep it running. Use your GPS to find it and it’s easily located.

It was entertaining, but also educational. Each animal has its story posted in front of the cage. The stories are varied and not necessarily something you'd think about in your everday life. The place operates through donations and volunteers and is pretty amazing. Would certainly recommend a visit there.

Great place to view many animals especially large cats up close. You do need to be quiet so you do not agitate the large cats. This place is only open in the mornings. You will get to see animals getting feed. This is not a fancy zoo. You can tell that dollars are spent on taking care of the animals and making sure they have a safe healthy place to live. You can ask the staff questions and they will answer - very friendly place. Would recommend for anyone to visit. Looks like a great place for school groups as well.

We LOVE this place! We went by ourselves the first time and enjoyed it so much we take all our "visitors to Florida " to it as one of our 'must see' activities. The animals are mostly large: think lions & tigers& bears, oh my. Plus you are up close; just feet away. The stories about the animals are posted, some rescued from abusive situations, some simply too old or over crowded at other facilities. This is a donation entrance fee. They were struck hard by the recent hurricane (lost food, cage damage, etc) so we try to give each & every time. Kids & adults will enjoy themselves.

Grandsons were visiting so we thought we'd go have a look at the sanctuary. It is very low key and run mostly by volunteers that work hard to keep the cages clean and the animals well cared for. Mostly bears and tigers but some others as well. Very caring people, I could see that. Just makes me sad to see the poor critters caged up. I'm not a PETA guy but a hunter and have shot black bears but these guys made me sad. They mostly pace back and forth and I imagine they'd love t be free. It "might" be possible to relocate some of them to very remote places that have a lot of food like Vancouver Island and maybe they'd do okay. Not so for the lions and tigers. Remember, it is NOT a zoo. Directions are fine except there is no street sign saying Horseshoe road. Look on a map and remember the streets before Horseshoe or you'll ride by it. Reasonable donation on the honor system. For the work they do I'd give them 5 stars but the place is kind of old and run down so I gave it 3 stars.

A "must do" if you have children! The animals are well taken care of and have their own stories. You cannot take your pets into the attraction. Clean venue with plenty of free parking. Admission prices are reasonable.

Great place to visit while supporting a great cause. All the people running the show. I believe they are all volunteers were super friendly and informative. They really want to educate people not just entertain. Reasonably priced so people can afford to visit. I highly recommend!!!!

I took my three boys here, ages 3 to 12 and we all really like it. It's not fancy but I say more big cats up close here than I have ever seen at any large city zoo. I was really impressed. They also had some large bears. Definitely worth the money if you like animals. You can see all they have taking your time in a 2 hours or so.

We had a great time. It was easy to walk around at our pace. The animals were amazing to see. The volunteers were helpful and knowledgeable.

Such a great mission going on here for the anamals they are saving and taking care of. What impressed me the most was how clean the facility was and all the animal enclosures. You had a great view of all the animals and we got lots of great pictures. I would recommend this fro all ages.

This is a wonderful place to take children or guests. You will see large mammals such as lions tigers bears up close. It is a little sad knowing that the animals were neglected but good to know they have a good home now.

This is nothing fancy but well worth the visit. Volunteers are all very friendly. The information boards tell each animals story are nice to read. Great rescue and sanctuary work is being done here. A must see!

It is kind of out of the way, but a great destination if you like zoos. Each of the animals has a history of being a pet or being in a circus and no longer has a home. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the animals among the cages. Bears, panthers, lions, peacocks, monkeys, donkeys, birds. You are really close up to watch their habits. BUT Octagon is only open on Saturday and Sunday.

Good layout with a wide variety of various birds. Easy to navigate, with helpful, available guides to answer questions not covered by signage.

Went a year ago and can’t forget the experience, best place to see if animals ever , can’t wait to go back

This sanctuary is off the beaten path but we'll worth it. We combined the drive with Babcock eco tour. Everyone that worked at the sanctuary was super friendly and very engaging with the kids. It was amazing to see large animals up close and personal as well as read about their journey to the sanctuary. Really interesting place that gave the kids a different perspective on wild animals.

We arrived around feeding time for the big cats, boy can they eat. They are well cared for by dedicated volunteers who also like to give you more background on these animals.

Hard to find but wow - what an amazing place. Tigers, lions, bears and more. Animals rescued from bad situations.

Myself and three friends visited this place and we all had mixed feelings about it. The fIrst thing to remember is that this is NOT a zoo, I wish it was because I think the animals would be so much happier in more natural settings. The animals are kept in cages like zoos had a looooooooong time ago. It seemed obvious that they were all well cared for and everything was clean (not spic and span - clean). The people who worked there seem to really care. I felt bad that the animals did not get to socialize. The good they do is very appreciated, as most of these animals come from abusive environments due to humans and I am sure could never be released back into there natural environment. I really feel that the group that runs this place does the best they can with the little they have. I enjoyed our visit and think a visit would be appreciated just to show your support for the people/organization running this place. I am not sure if kids would like this place - there were kids there and they seemed to enjoy there visit, but most of the visitors were adults.

Having been to Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, we were not expecting so much, as we knew nothing about it. Upon arrival we were greeted warmly and told all about the sanctuary. The animals were amazing! Literally Lions, tigers and bears! And ligers, hyenas, bobcats, baboons. All rescued from circuses or private owners or other zoos. All looked healthy and content and it was amazing they are run by volunteers. They only draw back is it is only open in the mornings during the week. But such a great experience for all the family- even my teenagers were impressed!
Highly recommend and encourage all to support this not for profit sanctuary!

Knowing this was a retirement place for exotic animals who were confiscated because they were owned illegally, mistreated by commercial agents (i.e. circuses) and/or unwanted by private licensed owners, I really only expected a few animals. I was certainly (and unfortunately) wrong! The majority of the animals were lions, tigers, and bears. But, there were lots of different and unexpected animals here as well; such as hyenas (seriously, what kind of person thinks they can adequately raise a hyena ...in an apartment nonetheless!) This is why WE MUST HAVE stricter legislation to control exotic animal ownership!!!
Soapbox aside, I appreciate the work Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary AND all their many volunteers are doing! There were no less than 15 volunteers working on the morning we visited-cleaning cages, raking the grounds, & working the front desk. THANK YOU!
This place is MOST DEFINITELY worth the admission price and then some.

Our family visited this sanctuary on a Saturday. It was a fun day trip for us. I think my favorite thing was watching the bears. It was muddy and we had flip flops on but I think it was worth it for us. They had porta potties so if you don't want to use them, I suggest stopping at a gas station prior to. Seeing all the animals and reading about them was fun. We even hear the Lions "talking" to each other. I've been to zoos before but never hear lions roar/talk - it was pretty cool to hear it.

On the one hand, it is so sad to read about these animals' histories and to know how some people can be so callous and ignorant to mistreat them and abandon them. On the other hand, it's very heartwarming & gratifying to know that Octagon has taken these beautiful animals in. I'm not a fan of zoos but this is different. This is a sanctuary for animals who shouldn't have to be here but they needed a place to go to live out the rest of their days in a safe place where people genuinely care about them.

Octagon is a not a fancy place because they run on donations (please help out) but it serves its purpose well. You can get very close to some big animals, like tigers, lions and bears. Closer than at a zoo, where oftentimes the big cats are sleeping in the shade, out of sight. Great for families with kids, and everyone else. We went with our neighbors and their 3-year old son, who really enjoyed it.

We took our grandkids and ended up enjoying it so much ourselves. Definitely recommend it. They have a nice assortment of wild animals and get close up to see them, often within feet of the cages.

This Wildlife Sanctuary is amazing, they have tigers, lions, panthers , parrots and other assorted wildlife. This is set as a no kill sanctuary and some of these animals were abused, turned in by owners who did not realize the kind of care they would need and from zoos and travelling circus'. I must admit the place has seen better days, but we were there on a very hot day and there was no smell at all. Those animal cages are kept squeaky clean. Do yourself a favor and give them a visit. If you have small children that would be an extra treat. There are animals there that the children will never see again. I saw my first Carcal and was captivated by the way he twirls the top of his ears when excited. Go see for yourself.

Early morning best time to go and during winter months. Wonderful to see. The first time I seen a Florida panther.great experience.

What a wonderful group of people taking care of these majestic animals tending to their existence and nursing them back to health. We thoroughly enjoyed the two visit at Octoagon Sanctuary. Keep up the good work!

Took advantage of a Groupon, this sanctuary runs on donations. It’s not at all a zoo. But, you get closer to these animals than in any zoo. Majestic creatures! Go early, as the heat increases in the day, the animals get sleepy and inactive.

What they are doing here is wonderful. The fact that these abused and left for dead beautiful creatures get a second chance at life is amazing. The only thing I wish I could’ve seen better were the birds and goats around the water, it was very difficult to see them... however the exotic animals were beautiful, we went bear feeding time and you could tell they are loved and taken care of the way they interact with staff.

Loved this place while visiting with family. Kids and grandkids loved this place. Great variety of animals especially the big cats. Price is right abd grounds kept well by volunteers.

Every animal has been rescued and has a story that will tear at your heart. These beautiful animals have been rescued and are well cared for.

Really nice place. Very happy animals that are no longer abused. Animals were well taken care of. Learned a lot.

I was so glad we visited this place. It gives one hope to see such compassion for abused animals. This is Not a zoo. They call themselves a "nursing home" for abused animals who were born in captivity and can not live in the wild. Cages were clean and most animals had access to other animals. Monkeys had childrens' toys such as big wheels and slides as well as televisions to occupy them! Almost all others had pools and balls at very least. Calming music was playing and tables with bug spray and sunscreen were everywhere fir visitors. Volunteers were friendly and seemed to know the animals well. Some of the animals had very sad stories but I was happy to know they ended up at Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary. This is the kind of place I wish every town had!

Great place to take the family, especially the little grandkids. Very well done. The animals seem very well kept.

What an amazing sanctuary this was, love that they are rescuing these animals and we are able to see such amazing animals up close such as Ligers! Would definitely reccomend!

This is a must see place. They are open on Sat and Sun from 11-4. I think you can call to arrange a visit during the week if you have a large group. A resue place for wild animals and it is amazing. A lot of tigers, several lions and some bears along with all kinds of other wildlife. Very up close and personal.

Loved to talk to the workers and learn about the animals more in depth while seeing how the animals react to the workers as well. Seems to be a well taken care of place overall and that they really care. Hard to see big cats in cages but they all truly loved their pools. Enjoyed learning about the whole place as well. Will return with others.

Octagon was a wonderful place to visit. Waaayy better than the Naples Zoo. This place is a beautiful sanctuary operated mostly by a group of dedicated volunteers. All the volunteer workers my family and I spoke with were very friendly and informative. Most/all of the animals are rescued from abusive/neglected homes and brought here to thrive. At each enclosure is a placard that describes where the animal came from and under what circumstances it was living. The enclosures are kept clean, appear to in ample size for the residents (animals) and most enclosures provide a large water/swimming area for the animals. There are a lot of big cats (lions, tigers, cougars and ligers!), a few bears, as well as some other smaller mammals. I would HIGHLY recommend anybody to visit this sanctuary. We went in the morning, approximately 930-10am and were able to watch a lot of the animals eat or in the process of being fed. Very fun time!

Wonderful opportunity to support animals that have been abused or neglected by humans. Good stories put humanity into their lives... So glad my 10 year old son and I went.

Octagon is a true wildlife sanctuary, rescuing wild animals that are no longer wanted and caring for them for the rest of their natural lives. Each enclosure describes how that animal came into their care, as well as general information about the species. The guide that I read said 1-2 hours, but we were there for longer than that! There are tables and chairs for picnicking in several places among the enclosures, so bring your lunch! Walkways are unpaved and can be muddy after downpours (this is Florida, after all), and hours are limited to half days during most of the week - be sure to check the website before you go.

What a wonderful place that takes care of animals. These animals get a second chance here. We absolutely loved it, you can see the animals very close. It's very laid back, you can take a picnic lunch and eat by the lions and tigers and bears! Highly recommended!

This is a very low key "z00". Lots of tigers. Bears, birds and other assorted wildlife. Small and not so easy to get around but I think it was worth the trip.

We visited this sanctuary this morning, it was such a special place very tranquil the animals all look in fantastic health ,what a privilege to be up close to so many tigers ,bears and lions. The greeting we received was excellent ,let their fantastic work continue ,don’t miss visiting!

It is a wonderful place where animals are cared for. these are animals that were rescued from poor conditions.

Beautiful, well cared for animals who each have a story telling how and why they are here. This is not a zoo. It is a sanctuary and rehab center, or as one of the workers said "a nursing home for animals". Lots of shaded seating throughout the facility. Great leisurely stroll and you get up close to these animals. Here they are loved and well cared for. We got there when they opened and watched them feed the animals. Temperature was hot but the animals were up and moving. Mufasa the Lion was roaring. Many respond when you talk to them and call them by name. Worth a visit.

If you’re in the Punta Gorda area and love to see Tigers, Lions and Bears oh my! This is a Sanctuary that has those animals along with other exotic animals. Some of the Tigers, Lions and Bears were born in captivity and some were trained to act for tv, movies or entertainment purposes. Most of these animals weren’t the performers they expected to be and were going to be put down until this place stepped and rescued them. All the animals have a name and a background on them.
It’s pretty small so you can walk this in maybe an hour. There are shaded areas, chairs for resting and even sun screen. This place is more in the country so you have to drive maybe 20-30 mins from downtown. All the animals are very close to the walkways, you can get an up close and personal look at them. Some of their stories are sad but they are in a better place and are getting treated better from where they came from. It’s worth a trip out especially if you have smaller children.

This was definitely a hidden gem.would highly recommend, this is not a zoo it is a sanctuary for rescued animals to live out their lives well taken care of. Runs solely on volunteers and private donations.

It is out of the way near Babcock ranch. The displaced animals are all in cages and it was both wonderful and depressing to see these mistreated animals finally being cared for. Worth a visit if you're in the area

This is a wildlife sanctuary for big cats, bears and other rescued wild animals. Well cared for animals, old Florida feel.

It was great i had a wonderful time with the the family and kids...wasnt to small and wasnt to big...definitely we will be coming back

We visited Octogon wildlife sanctuary twice during our trip. All of the staff and volunteers were incredibly friendly and obviously love all the animals. The stories of the animals will touch your heart. The enclosures were extremely clean. We were suggested to come back the following day so we didn't miss feeding the big cats! Well worth the time and support!

I took my 8 year old granddaughter. They had about 3 bears that had no luster on their coats...sad. Maybe 4 tigers that looked pretty healthy. Three old lions that had good roars. The place is hard to find...use a GPS and when you pass it, turn around. Some people 'acquire' exotic animals and then find they are 'problems' and want to dump them. Fortunately, this sanctuary has taken these animals. It costs approx $10K a month to feed and care for the animals. All volunteer staff.

I was surprised by this hidden gem. I was expecting a place to see some beautiful animals. But what you get is more valuable especially for kids. This place takes in and cares for abused and neglected animals. There are knowledgeable volunteers to walk through and teach you.but you will learn plenty on your own each habitat has a brief history of the type of animal and then a biography of the actual animal. THIS IS NOT A ZOO....by that I mean these are beautiful, but in some cases sadly abused and mistreated giants. Their stories will break your heart but also teach and inspire. Some of these animals are just being given a nice place to live out the rest of their lives in peace. Some are being rehabilitated. In any case this place is run on donations. And they are VERY reasonable. You will definitely want to give more than they ask. I urge everyone should take responsible children to this place for the chance to learn some important things about animals. If you love animals you will love this place and what they are doing for these beautiful animals.

A great place to see the animals up close. I enjoyed reading the backgrounds on each animal, sad but happy now that they have a place that takes good care of them. Definitely worth a stop.

Lots of up and close with the animals. We have been to other sanctuary's just like this and they are in much worse shape. We were there when the animals were being fed. They are well fed animals. Whole chickens were thrown in with the tigers and they were more interested in sunbathing than eating. A good sign. Lots of tigers, lions, bears and very reasonably priced.

They have many loins tigers and bears here. They also have a couple of primates and many birds. Its worth the trip to help support these people with their efforts to give these unfortunate creatures a good home.

We spent a leisurely and interesting (self paced) walk though the Sanctuary. Lots to see and a variety of animals. Not crowded and off the beaten path. Took 40 min to get there from Deep Creek area but well worth the drive. Not touristy or cheesy but real and interesting to view the animals up close.

Volunteers with knowledge about the animals take you on a tour to see animals that have been rescued from carnivals and circuses. They are in large cages in this natural area which covers several acres. They are fed and cared for by volunteers who obviously love the animals and the work that they do. It was an awesome tour and definitely great for kids.

Although the Octagon is only open 9:00 to 12:00 noon on the weekdays, this is a hidden gem. Located off Rt. 31 near Babcock Ranch, this is better than going to the zoo. There are more lions and tigers including white tigers than at any zoo that I have seen. Bears, parrots, wolves, foxes and even a Florida panther reside at this sanctuary.

This place is amazing. There were many tigers, lions, ligers, hyenas, bears, monkeys, and others. This sanctuary takes in exotic animals that are no longer wanted or needed or have been mistreated. The animals all look like they are taken care of well. We were lucky to be there as the large cats were being fed as well as the alligator.