Big Cat Rescue, Tampa

[Angua]

Anyone been to Big Cat Rescue in Tampa (formerly known as 'Wildlife on Easy Street&#39[?]

http://www.bigcatrescue.org/

This organisation rescues all types of felines (Tigers, Bearcats, Ocelots, Jaguars - to name but a few) from mistreatment at the hands of their former owners, whether private individuals who kept them as pets(!!) or Zoos and Circuses.

It sounds like a great place to visit as your entrance fee helps take care of these magnicificent beasts but you also get to interact with some of the smaller cats as well, I understand.

Anyone had the pleasure of visiting this place to verify what I've heard[?]

[blott]

Sounds like a great place to visit Sarah so thanks for telling us about it - could well be on our next trip list. Although I'm not sure my nerves would be strong enough for the night tour! [msnscared]

[Angua]

Yes, I was wondering about that. I don't know if I like the idea of "becoming the hunted" on a night tour! Even if they are still safely out of reach.

Wouldn't mind sleeping there though. You would hope it would be like a little tiny slice of Africa. Imagine the peace of the night, the chirriping of crickets, eyes gleaming in the dark and the odd rustling in the undergrowth and nearby roar. Okay, perhaps not!!!!! [msnwink]

[caseyd]

BTW- if you are in Tampa to see the cat rescue, there is also a very nice wild bird sanctuary south of Clearwater Beach (I think it is in Indian beach- about 15 mon south of Clearwater). It is right on the beach. Wonderful operation, many huge cages where they rehabilitate all kinds of big and small birds.
There's one like that (bird) on Longboat Key just outside of Sarasota also, bu it is more organized and nicer bigger facility w/many inddor exhibits and birds as well as outdoor areas. They also have sea turtles and other animals being rehabilitated there.

[Angua]

The bird sanctuaries sounded interesting so I did a bit of research. Are these the ones you were thinking of, CaseyD[?]

http://www.seabirdsanctuary.org/location.htm

http://www.pelicanman.org/index.html

[caseyd]

Yes. Boy, you work fast. Both of those are a fun and educational thing to do. Kids loved it. Would return again to both. Both are committed to educating the public about the animals and their rehab.

[blott]

quote:
Wouldn't mind sleeping there though. You would hope it would be like a little tiny slice of Africa. Imagine the peace of the night, the chirriping of crickets, eyes gleaming in the dark and the odd rustling in the undergrowth and nearby roar. Okay, perhaps not!!!!! [msnwink]

You have to be joking! [msnoo] Mind you, it sounds just like sleeping in our Animal Kingdom room (but very thankfully without the creepy sound effects!).