Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington
4.9 from 117 reviews
Address 3111 E Harstine Island Rd N, Shelton, WA 98584
Phone Number +13604274466
Website http://www.wildfelids.org/
A Google User
Amazing sanctuary and rescue for big cats - our guide was knowledgeable and informative, and very hospitable. We arrived midday and it was a bit hot so some of the cats were sleepy... but many ended up coming out to say hello! The price of admission goes to running the sanctuary - all volunteer run, so 95% of the cost goes directly to cat care. Small group of 6, we paid for two spots and had a nice guided tour with lots of information about the origins of the rescues. For animal lovers, this place is a must. You get much closer than you ever could at a zoo, and the keepers are comfortable enough to show off the cats to you. 10/10!
A Google User
Jolie was our guide and she was amazing! She is so knowledgeable and curious and interesting and interested about the cats. My friend and I totally loved our 2-hour visit with the big cats, learning about the spices they like and so many other interesting behavioural details, origin stories, and so much more. The peak of my visit was about three minutes that the female cougar, Holly, and I had some silence together, just looking and looking at each other. It lasted right up until her brother Hooligan got jealous and jumped in between us to break the connection. Then he spent ten or so minutes just hogging my attention and making sure I got to admire how handsome he was up close, even though Jolie and the snacks were done with him for the moment (but what a privilege, right!?). After I mentioned I had a cougar purr to me outside my tent one night when I was in Arizona, Jolie also took us to another cougar, Harley, who came over and purred and purred and purred with us for maybe ten or fifteen minutes while we talked and listened and learned. It was wonderful. There are plenty of other big cats too - tigers and a leopard and servals and a tiny Geoffrey's cat and savannah cats and Canadian lynxes and Eurasian lynxes and bobcats and oh so many wonderful, wonderful cats.
A Google User
Wow! Amazing. The big cats are astonishing. It's worth the drive. If you get chance to see these magnificent animals, do it.
A Google User
A local hidden treasure. The volunteer staff is articulate and enthusiastic, the cats beautiful and well cared for, and the mission both noble and heartbreaking. For a family, entrance can get steep ($30pp in 2023), but it all directly supports the mission and the cats. You feel like you supported something worthy, as well as learned something and had a great time. The tour is basically a guided walk-and-stop journey among the cats, with an astoundingly well-informed volunteer guide. There's a small gift shop at the end, but really, the tour is the main (only?) attraction. Reservations must be made at least the day before, and there are limited times and days for tours. A ways out of the way on Harstine Island, but an exotic outing for sure. My kids (12y.o.) loved it!
A Google User
We had awesome experience. Mark was our guide and was very knowledgeable about all the different cats and they likes and dislikes. We were able to see most all the cats. We recommend this for all cat loves. Definitely coming back again.
A Google User
Amazing experience. We went during the feeding time. Cost about $50 a ticket. The tour was an hour and a half it was two adults and my 12 year old daughter. Minimum Ave for the night time feeding is 12 years old. The group size was about 10 people or less. They have different packages and one geared towards family of smaller children.The of admission goes straight back into the center. The volunteers were very knowledgeable about all the cats. They have 57 big cats living there. The most amazing ones for me were the 2 Tigers. During dinner they were able to get them to growl and snarl really loud. They have a no picture policy of the cats in order to protect the sanctuary and cats from people who get too close trying to take a picture-and injure themselves in the process. Also to protect the sanctuary from misrepresentation, to protect the cats from ingesting deadly foreign debris (dropped camera and phones), and to help visitors really see and experience the cats rather than worrying about getting the best photo. They have flash drives available for a nominal fee after your tour. I would strongly urge you not to try and take any photos while there. Posting them can send the wrong message to future visitors. I made this mistake recently and unintentionally sent the wrong message to those who read my review. It made it seem the leopard was kept in a tiny cage where in truth that’s just the spot she eats. The cats are very well cared and have large and spacious enclosures to move around. All the staff are volunteers and very passionate about their work. One of the volunteers drives all all the way from Seattle just for the experience of volunteering. There were signs for most of the drive but the side road to turn off into the advocacy center was not clearly marked, or I just missed it. Highly recommend going. Follow the rules of the park to ensure everyone has a good time. Enjoy!
Service options
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Categories
Latest Businesess
Mason County Search and Rescue
100 W Public Works Dr, Shelton, WA 98584
Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington
+13604274466
Adopt-A-Pet of Shelton, Washington
940 E Jensen Rd, Shelton, WA 98584
+13604323091