Big Cat Rescue, Tampa

It was hot, but that's to be expected in Florida, and all of the enclosures are outdoors. Bring water with you! Some of the cats were sleeping, but some were still out and active. You can get very close to the lion and tigers, and even the smaller cats too. Beware, they can spray, far! The tour guides were lovely (a number of posters below commented on staff being "rude" but everyone we met was extremley nice and helpful). The tour was only an hour and a half, which was ok by us because even though we would have loved seeing more animals, it was hot. Most of the tour is in the shade, though.

It's great to see the cats up close, lounging and enjoying life... many of whom came from abusive situations. Tour guides educate on where the animals came from, as well as give facts on the species and the particular cats.

I heard all the "stories" about these cats on our tour also, only to find out that many of them were lies! For instance, a black leopard we were told was a former pet who was forced to walk on a lead...come to find out he was born there, declawed there, and was the owner's pet! The tiger who was supposedly rescued as a cub who had been horribly abused? There is a video investigative report online showing this cub as a happy healthy baby and the owner is narrating that he came from a loving and nurturing home. A cougar that was rescued from a pet owner? Born there, declawed, and rented out to sleep with guests in their cabins. These practices may have stopped but the lies have not. Do not support this place. It is no more than a roadside tourist attraction! They take in millions and the place looks like they don't have a dime. There are websites that tell the real story and they will send you information if you ask for it. Research it. There's even claims that this woman may have murdered her husband! Bad people!

We have been to other big cat sanctuaries and this is one of the best ones I have seen. We really enjoyed meeting all the beautiful cats and hearing their stories! So sad that they have to be in a cages but most of them were saved from horrible conditions! Those lucky cats have everything they could possibly need to be happy cats: trees, plants, pools, caves, sunshine, food, toys and the love and devotion of all the employees!! It was so sweet to see the cats greet our tour guide and respond to her! I dont understand what these other reviews are all about! I found it to be a very clean santuary, didnt see any feces or bones in the enclosures! The enclosures are good size and the cats certainly did NOT look thin at all, they looked happy and relaxed!! Cant wait to visit again! Please come see for yourself, dont take anyone's word for it! If you like cats, you will love this place!!

The place was no different than the Old type Zoo set ups that were criticized for years for being too small for the animals. The only difference is they are on dirt. There is no landscaping, grounds upkeep and the paths are just dirt. Like another review stated, the staff must be Lazy. When I asked about the landscaping, I was told "We're trying but the funds just aren't there". BS! It doesn't take much funds for a Volunteer to take a Rake to the place or a pair of clippers to some of the trees to allow some sunlight to the cats. They claim cats are abused before they get them but their own newspaper tells the story of the 5 servals that were Family pets for 14 years but the owners were both old and sick and could no longer care for them. So, what's the story? Abused or not? 400sqft to 1200sqft... big deal. Now they get no love and affection! That's abuse. $30 admission is Far too much for what the place offers. Save your money or go to Busch Gardens

Liked the cats hated everything else! If this is a sanctuary then the zoo must be heaven! They say they leave the cages in the conditions they are in because they want it to be as natural as possible for the cats well if they had ten acres per cage then you might get away with that think its pure lazy people working there! You cant keep an animal captive in such a small area without going in an cleaning up there was feces everywhere, leaf litter and over grown weeds and the people that work there must be use to the smell cause it was awful to me! Cages were very small and the cats looked thin and miserable wish they could all be free! Wont go bavk especially for as much money as a theme park!

My wife and I thought this was a long way out of our way but thought we would drive out and see the place. We stopped by at 11am to just check things out. There were already a dozen or more cars parked there when we arrived so we assumed it must be a special arrangement. A lady greeted us and told us they were closed and to come back at 2:15pm because they don't open until 3pm and they do not sell tickets early. We went up to a Nature Preserve and didn't make it back until 2:45pm at which point they were ready turning ppl around. The place does not open at 3pm, they are full at 3pm. This is probably a great place if you are a local or visit this place regularly but if you are not staying near by don't bother. It's a long drive for nothing. They need a better system besided a lucky guess.

Big cat rescue owned by Carol Baskins goes after many other facilities and falsely accuse them of acts of animal abuse that she herself does. She has had 118 cats died (that we know of) at her facility and it has been proven that she has taken the dead to a taxidermist to be skinned. She lies about how they died (one tiger was strangled to death during transport but she said that it died from cancer). She is still collecting money for several of the animals that are now dead. She is also collecting money for animals that she is not getting. I have seen picture of skinny, malnourished cats living in tiny, rusty, weakly made cages that are never cleaned out (except for what the poop stick can reach). She collects millions of dollars for the cats but then spend it on things such as big diners and parties. She then attacks other facilities for taking in donations that are actually used for their animals and not for their own selfish wants. I hope that people will start seeing the light and stop supporting her. I also hope that she is shut down and her animals are sent to a better facility, or someone more qualified takes over there after she is thrown in jail.

We discovered the truth about this place. They rake in millions in donations and at the gate for cats that in many instances were bought as pets or born right there. The cats are given made up stories of abuse so people will give more. They also feed innocent domestic rabbits to the cats as treats. Where are the treats for the rabbits? Find out the truth at the big cat rescue lies blog spot.

bigcatrescuelies.blogspot.com read over 25 reports compiled from over 400 documents donate to the smaller, honest sanctuaries that really need the help not this scamtuary that lies about it's background and it's rescues