A very cool place to go… Big Cat Rescue

(www.bigcatrescue.org)

Imagine playing with Lynxes, Bobcats, Caracals and Servals. Or listening to a lion roaring throughout the night? There’s a magical place in Tampa, Florida where you can do just that. I surprised my husband Dave with a weekend at Big Cat Rescue. This place is unbelievable, and I’d recommend it to anyone going near Tampa. Most importantly, they're a legitimate organization that rescues abused, neglected, and abandoned wild cats. 

Close up (all right, too close!) of Caracal.

Here’s the deal: if you stay at one of their four cabins, you get to hang out with the cats!  Each cabin has a cat-a-tat surrounding it, that is, your very own cat(s) to visit and play with.  There are three other cat-a-tats that aren’t attached to a cabin, and you can visit any cat you want.  Cool, huh?  Plus, you get the run of the 40 acre sanctuary.  That means when the tour is over, you can continue wandering around to your heart’s delight, at least until dark. 

Check out how close you get to these gorgeous tigers!  These two came running over to us from the other side of their 3 acre habitat and started playing.  We were in awe that these creatures were so comfortable with humans, they actually came up and talked to us (it’s called chuffing)! 

 They have lions, cougars, lemurs, leopards, snow leopards, ocelots, bear cats, swans, and a few roosters (who didn’t know they’re only supposed to crow at dawn).  Too many kinds of cats to list here; suffice it to say there are a lot of cats.   As we sat in our cat-a-tat, we had a bobcat on either side of us, a cougar nearby, and a cage full of lemurs and a baby bear cat…such entertainment!  The feed tour is fun, too.  Just watch those fingers!

 Behind the magic of the sanctuary, though, is the reality that most of these animals got there because someone thought they’d make a good pet.  When they realized that wild animals don’t often make family pets (especially when they reach a few hundred pounds!), they had to find another home for them.  Thankfully the Wildlife on Easy Street folks were kind enough to take them in.  Some of these animals, like one of the black leopards, came via the carnival circuit after being beaten for not performing.  Wildlife on Easy Street is a non-profit sanctuary and rehabilitation center and welcomes donations and/or volunteers.  Check out their website at www.wildlifeeasyst.com.  You can call them at 813-920-4130.  They have tours, cabins, and photo tours available.  Be aware that children under the age of 10 are not allowed on the premises. 

Check out www.barbarylion.com , too.  The woman who owns the barbary lion at Wildlife on Easy Street has an informative web site on these magnificent creatures.