Excellent in-depth tour of lions, tigers, bears, wolves, jaguars, and more! We got much closer…read morelooks at these animals than in other places my family has visited. The tour we took was 1.5 hours long. They broke us up into groups of about 40. We could always hear our tour guide easily, and she gave us a lot of information about each animal. The animals looked well cared for. For those who need a ride on the walking tour, there are golf carts. They provide bottled water, if you need it. Younger kids or those with shorter attention spans may get antsy or cranky, but I think it is a very enjoyable and unique tour. No photos are allowed on the tour for safety and logistical reasons. Honestly, it is nice to just enjoy the moment and not stress about optimal angles and lighting. A port-a-potty is available. The tour is a must-do in the area!

I took 3 of my grandchildren here mid-day on a late summer afternoon. We thought it would be a fun…read morefor the kids to see the animals in their natural habitats. While the staff can't control the weather, it seemed as though they could've done more so that the animals would be more comfortable in the heat! The day ended up being miserably uncomfortable for us, as well as the animals. Some were impatiently pacing in their cages. Some were just lying around in the dirt. Two were recovering from surgeries. All of the animals looked well cared for and some were enjoying some snacks while we were there. Our "walking tour" included a walk around the facility to each animal's habitat and the guide discussing multiple facts about the animals lives and journey to the Reserve. Start to finish, it took about an hour and included a bottled water. I'd recommend strollers for your kids. It's an unsafe place to allow young children to wander around. The "public" restroom is a port-o-let outside the gated entrance to the reserve. It was just as clean as the ones at a football game/concert! There is no gift shop but they do ask for donations and give you a t-shirt in return. In movie terms, the reserve is the equivalent of a low-budget film. It's saving grace is the effort to keep these animals alive, but as they all grow, I feel like this "low-budget film will not be able to keep up with the demand! Too few employees for so many demanding large animals.

The best experience for a minication. I was lucky enough to not know where I was going for my…read morebirthday and it was the perfect surprise! (My wife did great!) Not only is the location a perfect portal to a different type of Florida , but the wagons are all the way in the back so it's perfect privacy. There's also a tent outside to sit and watch pigs take a bath in the fountain. The wagon room we got was the Piggies room! Perfect decor and amenities inside(towels/shampoo/conditioner/tissues/coffee mugs /even games!) Huge bathroom with incredible shower.There is ac but we spent most of the time with the screen door and bathroom window open & it felt great. Included inside:mini fridge, toaster, coffee/tea (included),microwave and a small heater. Plenty of plugs to charge & a full length mirror. We love that there was no tv because we got to watch highland cows instead !! We also got to sleep to rain and it was so peaceful especially waking up every morning to new friends like pigs and sheep! We also saw: 4 highland cows!! , 2 different types of pigs, a family of sheep (+Anya the sassiest girl), cats, dogs, goats, turkeys (that like hugs but scared meee), guinea fowls, chickens and hens, mini horses and a peacock that sounds like Kevin from UP in the nighttime !! All the staff were super friendly including miss Elaine! Truly an incredible place to visit and get to feed pigs all day.

I've been to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary twice, and both visits were totally worth the 2 hour…read moredrive from Orlando. The animals are well taken care of, the people working there are so nice and helpful and booking a highland cow cuddling session was amazing. You can even stay on site if you want that real "outdoorsy" experience - but it's perfect even for a quick day trip. Can't wait to come back again!

I went there for a visit on a night time feeding. It was a neat concept. They have to feed the…read moreanimals anyways, so why not invite people to educate and raise money for the sanctuary. The animals seem well taken care of and happy. The have mostly tigers but also a lion and some smaller cats. They even have two foxes and two bears! This is different than a zoo, because they have these animals as a way to save them. Some of them were from private owners and some were form closed zoos. The workers and volunteers were all happy as well.

You've never been to a place like this before... and at first, I wasn't even sure what to expect…read more The sign outside is nicely done, but when you walk in, the tables and chairs look like they're 50 years old... clean and organized, but the area clearly needs an upgrade. But that's actually the point... every dollar this nonprofit earns goes directly to animal care, facilities, and expansion. Nothing is wasted on appearances. And that mindset defines everything about this place. We signed up for a tour and arrived early to walk around a bit on our own. By chance, we ran into Curt Logiudice, the founder and owner of the sanctuary... a remarkable man who has devoted his life to this mission. Hearing him explain how it started, how it's grown, and his vision for the future was inspiring. Watching him interact with the bear they have was priceless... playful, natural, and full of trust. You couldn't tell who was enjoying it more... Curt or the bear. What they're doing here is truly admirable. Their mission is the rescue of exotic animals from serious and often tragic situations. Once an animal arrives at Catty Shack Ranch, it has a home for life. They do not breed, trade, sell, or buy animals. The sanctuary is home to tigers, a bear, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, foxes, and coatimundis... all cared for with dignity and respect. The guided tour is absolutely worth it. The staff is knowledgeable, the experience is educational, and you get surprisingly close to the animals while still feeling completely safe. The atmosphere is calm, respectful, and not overcrowded. I noticed families with kids whose eyes were wide with amazement... it's that kind of place. This is privately funded, and even veterinarians volunteer their time to care for animals in need of medical treatment. If you see Curt on the grounds... and you probably will... stop and talk to him. His passion, humility, and genuine love for these animals is unmistakable. Please visit. Please support this place. What they're doing here truly matters. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

We had a great time the best farm in MILES ! Seriously they have really gone all out with the…read moreappearance and fun ! You can pet animals play many games food there is amazing !

It's tradition at this point. My family and I do our annual visit for their fall festivities and…read moreit's always a great time.

Amazing! Where else can you hold a baby kangaroo, an otter and tiny baby monkeys. What a great…read moreexperience and super friendly and knowledgeable staff/owners! It was very clean and the animals look loved and cared for. We highly recommend and will be back!

From the owner: Wild Encounters is a hands-on exotic animal experience located in Alachua, FL. We offer private,…read moreinteractive encounters with a variety of friendly and well-cared-for species, giving guests the chance to learn, connect, and create unforgettable memories. From otters and kangaroos to parrots and farm favorites, every visit is educational, unique, and tailored to all ages. Book a personal encounter and experience wildlife up close in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment. Follow us on social media: Instagram: @wildencountersfl Facebook: Wild Encounters Inc.

I absolutely love the Alligator Farm. Because of my previous experience with alligator farms in…read moreThailand, I thought the St Augustine Alligator Farm was going to be shadey. A place where you see alligators but you also eat them and buy alligator skin handbags. That was most certainly not the case here. I always recommend the Alligator Farm for people from out of town as I think it's something truly unique to this region. In the farm/zoo there's more than just alligators, there are crocodiles, birds, and other reptiles. The feeding show is a must see! How often do you see a crocodile eating in real life?

This was a cool place to take your kiddos for a structured trick or treating event. They have about…read more8-10 stations set up that kids could get a handful of candy and also pet a reptile. We saw tons of snakes, alligators and tortoises. One station gave you a piece of gator food to toss to the large gators in the water. This farm has tons of alligators and crocodiles and some Of the biggest I've seen besides gator land. The employees were all very knowledgeable of the animals and seemed to really enjoy their jobs taking care of the reptiles. Take bug spray! And if you're going for trick or treating I recommend an earlier time slot because when the sun goes down it's not super lit and difficult to see some of the exhibits.

Amazing experience! Great people and reasonable prices. The baby goat was our favorite. The alpaca…read morewas really chill

My granddaughter loved her experience at this cute little farm. Ty will need to make an appointment…read morefor your tour. We basically had a one on one tour of the farm as well as opportunities to feed the animals while learning all about them. I would definitely recommend this farm to anyone looking to take their toddler/children to a really awesome experience!

I recently chaperoned a school field trip to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and wow, it has…read morechanged so much since my last visit. If you haven't been lately, it feels like an entirely new experience. The Grand Entrance (VyStar SkyScape)The first thing you notice is the massive new entrance, and it completely changes the guest experience. It feels modern, open, and much more welcoming, and the huge video screen at SkyScape gives the zoo a true world-class feel right from the start. The Manatee River habitat is easily one of the highlights of the zoo. Seeing manatees up close is incredible, Bonus for parents and group leaders: the new walking loop makes navigating the zoo so much easier without all the backtracking. I loved how dinosaurs are tucked throughout the park leading up to the main exhibit, it creates a fun scavenger hunt feel for younger kids. Once inside, the life sized animatronic dinosaurs are impressive. They're bigger, bolder, and highly interactive, which kept our students engaged the entire time. Elite Tip: If you're visiting for the dinosaurs, get the Total Experience ticket since it includes Dinosauria. And wear comfortable shoes the new loop adds some steps, but it's worth it. Overall, the "Rezoovenation" project is clearly paying off. The zoo feels fresh, purposeful, and elevated, and it's easily one of the best family attractions in Florida right now. Highly recommend!

The zoo is great but it seems like a lot of the offered amenities are often overlooked. Some of the…read morestaff is also a bit rude... Those that are great, are very kind and go above and beyond though! The animals seem happy and well-taken cared of!