Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue
Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue
4.5
About
This is a non-profit organization. Is listed as a zoo, but it is more educational. They rescue Lions, Tigers, and Leopards. They have night tours, and morning feeding tours. You can buy a meal [a chicken] which they will feed to one of the big cats. When that 4-wheeler comes by, all the big cats are at attention. It really is a great experience. Barb
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
172 reviews
Excellent
139
Very good
25
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Big Cat Lover
1 contribution
May 2023
We've visited several times over the years but our recent stay in one of their cabins was WELL WORTH it! It was great to hear the big cats at dusk and in the morning plus a morning feeding tour was included with our stay. What a great opportunity to see the big cats' personalities up close! The Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue is a great place to visit but staying there supports them even more and is worth every dollar. The cabin was very spacious and we loved the deck, picnic table area and fire pit option too.
The rescue isn't very far from Wisconsin Dells so we drove there to do some fun things and returned to a much more relaxing and quiet spot than you can find anywhere in the Dells!
The rescue isn't very far from Wisconsin Dells so we drove there to do some fun things and returned to a much more relaxing and quiet spot than you can find anywhere in the Dells!
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candace B
Wisconsin Rapids, WI28 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
We were in the Dells for a girls weekend and decided to check out the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue. It's very clean and you walk a loop with several big cats to see. I am happy this rescue exists to take in these cats that through no fault of their own, are in need of rescue. I would definitely visit again and recommend it if you are in the area.
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eileenmcginnis
Wisconsin Dells, WI12 contributions
Sept 2022
Jenny gave us the tour while feeding the cats. You can see her compassion when she talks about her cats. This is a must see when travelling to the Dells area. They take excellent care of their cats. Highly recommend.
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kris S
1 contribution
Aug 2022
Wonderful wonderful place! Was a great experience to see all the big cats up close. The staff were crazy super friendly and took time to discuss some of the cats with us as they did their rounds! I cant wait to go again! These cats all looked very happy and most were playful as we were there. I cannot wait till i get to go ack again!
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sbel_T727
Plymouth, WI52 contributions
Sept 2021
This was a cool stop while on a day road trip. A couple people in our group weren't interested in stopping but ended up enjoying it.
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules K
Wisconsin Dells, WI60 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
First time visit for us, we booked the morning feeding tour by calling ahead. It was raining but the facility offered umbrellas as a nice surprise.
Was a wee bit hard to hear the tour guide/owner due to rain but we still had fun! Especially enjoyed the time after the tour to just watch all the majestic cats and see a bit of their personalities.
Highly recommend!
Was a wee bit hard to hear the tour guide/owner due to rain but we still had fun! Especially enjoyed the time after the tour to just watch all the majestic cats and see a bit of their personalities.
Highly recommend!
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Internet Person
Chicago, IL4 contributions
Oct 2021
We stayed overnight at one of their cabins to celebrate our 7y old's birthday and had a fantastic experience. You can hear the king roar in the distance through the darkness as you sit around the fire. As the location is rural, the stars really come out.
And the morning feeding tour is unbelievable -- the animals are looked after really well, and it is a high integrity operation -- but the cats are 600 lb apex predators who want the meat and want it now! They roar and chuff and growl and give you this intense look that makes your hair stand on end.
You will be really grateful for the multiple levels of mesh fencing separating, and overall for civilization generally, that we are not part of their meal plan!
On a more serious note, it is a decade and half long labor of love by the family that cares for these cats. It really underscores how irresponsible so many other tiger "attractions" are, in just wanting to make $$ off of cute cubs, but making no plan for what happens when they outgrow that to become simply dangerous and magnificent but not cute any more!
How to safely and humanely manage the 15+year and huge expense of caring for these massive predators that need to be protected from each other, and where unlike with herbivores, many health interventions require a life-threatening (to them) sedations and so on. Definitely worth a visit if in the wisconsin dells area.
And the morning feeding tour is unbelievable -- the animals are looked after really well, and it is a high integrity operation -- but the cats are 600 lb apex predators who want the meat and want it now! They roar and chuff and growl and give you this intense look that makes your hair stand on end.
You will be really grateful for the multiple levels of mesh fencing separating, and overall for civilization generally, that we are not part of their meal plan!
On a more serious note, it is a decade and half long labor of love by the family that cares for these cats. It really underscores how irresponsible so many other tiger "attractions" are, in just wanting to make $$ off of cute cubs, but making no plan for what happens when they outgrow that to become simply dangerous and magnificent but not cute any more!
How to safely and humanely manage the 15+year and huge expense of caring for these massive predators that need to be protected from each other, and where unlike with herbivores, many health interventions require a life-threatening (to them) sedations and so on. Definitely worth a visit if in the wisconsin dells area.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J D
Milwaukee, WI1,060 contributions
Aug 2021
Have been to this Big Cat Rescue site three other times and found it to be interesting, well kept and enjoyable with other groups. This time, we brought our kids, and grand kids for their first visit there. It was truly disappointing because...
We paid the full fees for everyone.... then discovered that only 4 cats were even remotely visible .. all others were inside structures in shade .. only one was actually out walking where movement could be seen and only one was laying on a culvert where it could be seen looking around. I did not request any $ back because it's basically a donation BUT... if it's HOT out, you might as well make the donation and save yourself the trip.
We paid the full fees for everyone.... then discovered that only 4 cats were even remotely visible .. all others were inside structures in shade .. only one was actually out walking where movement could be seen and only one was laying on a culvert where it could be seen looking around. I did not request any $ back because it's basically a donation BUT... if it's HOT out, you might as well make the donation and save yourself the trip.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sadie J B
Cazenovia, WI5 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
We had a very good experience on the morning Feeding tour. Our group ranged from families with young children to couples and all were engaged. Tour guide shared the animals’ rescue stories & how they care for them. We will definitely be back & bring guests.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristine K
125 contributions
Sept 2021
A place for all ages to visit. Easily accessible by car. Should you not be mobile, one can drive car thru area safely. Restrooms on site. Area was clean and neat. Staff was friendly and willing to share/educate about the facility as well as the stories behind the animals on site. $10 entry or there is a tour option as well, but we did the $10. Will go back again. Check their website for feeding times. Expect about an hour visit time. Well worth the stop.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can we bring in or purchase any special treats for the animals? Price? Not able to come to the morning feeding tour.
jeff k
Rock Springs, WI
Yes you may purchase chickens here!! (They Are Not Live)
So how much is the "donation"?
jeff k
Rock Springs, WI
$9 for adults $6 for children.
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Claim your listingWISCONSIN BIG CAT RESCUE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue
- Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue is open:
- Sat - Sun 10:00 - 16:00
- Hotels near Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue:
- (7.70 mi) Best Western Baraboo Inn
- (9.18 mi) Ringling House Bed and Breakfast
- (8.98 mi) Tamarack Wisconsin Dells a Ramada by Wyndham
- (9.30 mi) Fox Hill RV Park & Campground
- (8.09 mi) Valley Springs Farm Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue:
- (9.00 mi) Little Village Cafe
- (9.27 mi) Driftless Glen
- (9.00 mi) Broadway Diner
- (8.97 mi) Ishnala Supper Club
- (9.76 mi) Jose's Authentic Mexican Restaurant