Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary Inc

This roadside zoo is a horribly depressing place. There are many varieties of large, beautiful animals locked up in tiny cages while tourists shove small pieces of meat on sticks through the chainlink fences. During the animal shows, the animals are talked down to and disrespected while being forced to perform circus like tricks. Please don't support this "sanctuary" circus. I am shocked by the amount of positive reviews for this dirty place. My daughter said to me, "this is a like a pound for big cats." That pretty much sums it up.

I loved everything, everything you guys are doing here for these animals are fantastic, I'll definitely tell everyone to check this place out

Had a really great time all animals are taken care of well. Very maintained .show encounter was amazing

Big Cat Habitat is a wonderful sanctuary for animals that formerly lived in zoos, traveled with the circus, or were owned by private individuals that should never have brought a wild animal into their homes. Big Cat's owners clearly love and give time and care to the animals. They hope to build a clinic in the future. Big Cat not only provides a wonderful viewing experience for visitors, but also educates them about the animals and encourages donations to local animal organizations and sanctuaries.

Big Cat Habitat is a wonderful sanctuary for big cats and exotic animals. Kay Rosaire goes above and beyond to connect our community, specifically other nonprofits and children in need, with the animals. She has such a huge heart. Kay is an amazing woman with an even more amazing vision and love for animals. Every business has their share of growing pains, but growing pains are what make a business better and stronger and teach us our biggest lessons. I'm a local and have followed the habitat since the beginning, I see nothing but rainbows ahead for the BCH family (animals included.) My little one and I completely support this organization and everything they do.

Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota is my favorite place to bring family and friends, when they are in town for a visit.
The owners are well loved and respected in the community, and constantly give back to the community (though they don't toot their own horn about the good they do). Over the past few years, they have conducted the most successful 'end summer hunger' food drive ever for All-Faith's Food Bank; hosted numerous Blood Drives, adoption events and meet/greets for local animal rescue groups, give free admission for underprivileged visitors, and done so much good for animals in need.

The staff and volunteers are amazing, and you can tell that the animals are well taken care of and greatly loved.

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a real treasure for our community, and serves its mission well: "to keep the human-animal connection alive in our world."

When I first entered the facility and saw bears and tigers pacing up and down their enclosures, this behavior told me that their area was much too small. However, I learned that the organization is often called upon by uneducated people who have bought an exotic animal and soon discovered that wild animals are not good pets. Big Cat Habitat takes these animals in to save their lives. Having been involved in animal welfare and rescue before, I know that money is always short and you do what is necessary to save the animal. We were told during the show that if we think an enclosure is too small, write a check and they will gladly build a bigger one. This hit home with me. The animals are well fed and the place was as clean as possible. As for the show, a lion was asked to sit on a platform and was petted a couple of times. A liger was asked to jump on several platforms which she gladly did. A white tiger jumped on a platform or two. Jumping and sitting are natural behaviors so I felt OK about the show. A chimpanzee rolled around and did flips and generally clowned around and again, these behaviors are seen in the wild. 5 trained dogs, all shelter rescues, did various dog tricks and all seemed more than happy to do them. I only gave 4 stars because they don't advertise and I think they could bring in much more money if they did. They obviously ask for donations because many companies sponsor them (whole foods, fresh market and winn dixie now donate food to them) so their manager of development should have no problem in getting at least some free advertising. All in all it was an educational and emotional experience to visit these animals and I will support this organization in the future.

I was very surprised after visiting this "sanctuary". The organization is run by an ex-circus family and the animals are still put on display and forced to put on performances. I've visited twice and the first time I was there baby animals were taken outside of their cages to have their pictures taken with visitors. It seemed very much like a roadside attraction. I think the people running the operation love animals and have the best intentions. However, they also don't see anything wrong with using their "rescued" animals for performances. Call a spade a spade- this is no "sanctuary"

I found the staff and volunteers very loving toward the animals. The animals were healthy and well fed. Facilities were clean and in good shape. I feel the organization is living up to its mission and is doing a great job in caring for God's creatures. It was an interesting visit and I have more appreciation for what they do after going there.

This organization is not exactly what most people would consider a true exotic animal sanctuary. The founders are retired circus people, and many of the animals are used in performance acts that are passed off as "education." While the people who run the organization no doubt care about their animals, it appears to be more of a stationary circus disguised as a sanctuary, rather than a true rescue.