This Hidden Gem Wildlife Sanctuary In Jacksonville, Florida Is A Must-Visit For Cat Lovers

When planning a trip to Florida, the first must-see ideas that come to mind are probably to visit the stunning white sand beaches, one of many amusement parks, and maybe a boat ride in the marsh. But there is one underrated Florida vacation spot located in Jacksonville that is perfect for lovers of cats, both big and small. Plus, if you're looking to visit an organization that will use your money for good, look no further than Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.

This inspiring wildlife sanctuary is a nonprofit animal rescue specializing in big cats, with the largest group being tigers. Animals that were once bred in captivity and did not receive proper care are now protected by Catty Shack with a loving forever home in Jacksonville. The sanctuary prides itself on not selling, breeding, or trading its animals to ensure they live happy lives free from neglectful captivity. While mainly serving tigers, lions, and other big cats, Catty Shack also takes care of foxes, horses, and coatimundis. Since these animals were rescued from dangerous instances of captivity, it is unfortunately not possible for them to return them to the wild. However, Catty Shack has a strong group of trained handlers, dentists, and veterinarians to make sure the animals are receiving specialized care as they live out the rest of their days.

Catty Shack's educational tours inform guests about the threat endangered animals face in captivity. As of 2020, the World Wildlife Foundation reported that there are more tigers held in captivity than there are left in the wild. With just under 10,000 tigers left in the world, they are considered an endangered species. There is a major captivity problem in the United States, leading to poor living conditions for these animals under inexperienced owners. Breeding and selling of captive tigers further endangers their species, as the sheltered tigers will never be able to live in the wild on their own after being captive. Because the animals that Catty Shack rescues are unable to be returned to the wild, they do focus on giving them a comfortable and safe life in the sanctuary.

Founder, Curator, and Executive Director Curt LoGiudice has built a mutual respect between himself and the animals. The care put into the sanctuary is clear through the passion the staff put into making sure the animals receive the best treatment. The animals receive plenty of enrichment with the countless recycled toys, pools, and balls they are able to play with in their spacious enclosures.

The ranch is open to visitors daily from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with Night Feeding Tours offered on Friday and Saturday evenings. Adult tickets start at $15, a small price to pay to support these majestic animals. Stop in to see the carnivorous cats at the sanctuary receive healthy servings of raw meat, play with each other in the pool, and release ground-shaking roars. Guests are also welcome to take pictures of the photogenic animals so you can remember your visit to the sanctuary forever. The tour guides share personal stories and interact with the animals on the tour so you can see the ins and outs of the big cats' personalities.

Catty Shack is family-friendly, so your kids can learn what it means to take care of these big cats. One reviewer on TripAdvisor praised the lessons them and their children learned by saying, "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." When you stop in at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, you can rest easy knowing that these once neglected animals are now in safe hands.