Photo: ashly Goins
Photo: G T
Photo: Brendan Dana
Cat Tales Wildlife Center
★4.3(1,773 reviews)$$Zoo
🕑 1.5-2 hours👶 Best for ages 5 and up. Younger children may be frightened by the large predators and loud roars, while school-age kids and teens are fascinated by the up-close encounters and conservation stories behind each rescue animal.🧡 Saved by 100+ families
About
Cat Tales Wildlife Center offers families a unique opportunity to see rescued big cats, bears, wolves, and native wildlife up close in a sanctuary setting. This non-profit rescue facility provides guided tours where kids can learn about animal conservation while observing majestic tigers, lions, cougars, and other animals that have been given a second chance at life.
Highlights
- ✓Up-close viewing of tigers, lions, cougars, and other big cats in spacious enclosures
- ✓Meeting rescued bears, wolves, and foxes native to the Pacific Northwest
- ✓Educational guided tours explaining each animal's rescue story and conservation needs
- ✓Learning about wildlife rehabilitation and what happens to animals that can't be released
- ✓Photo opportunities with impressive predators safely behind barriers
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive early in your visit window as tours are guided and may fill up, especially on weekends during spring and summer
- 2.Bring a donation of raw meat or cash if possible,this non-profit runs entirely on donations and feeding these large animals is expensive
- 3.Wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers as you'll be walking outdoors on gravel paths between enclosures
- 4.Don't miss the white tiger exhibit,it's typically a crowd favorite with kids
- 5.Ask tour guides about individual animal rescue stories; the personal backgrounds make the experience more meaningful for children
Best Time to Visit
Visit on Thursday, Friday, or weekend mornings (right at 10 AM opening) for the most active animals and smaller crowds. Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures for walking the grounds, and animals tend to be more active in cooler weather than during hot summer afternoons.
What to Know
Admission fees are modest (typically under $15 per person) as this is a non-profit sanctuary, and donations are encouraged. The facility is mostly outdoors with gravel walking paths, so it's not fully accessible for strollers, though manageable with all-terrain wheels.
Seasonal Notes
Open Thursday through Sunday only, closed Monday through Wednesday year-round. The center operates in all seasons but winter visits can be chilly with outdoor walking. Summer can be hot, so morning visits are preferred. Call ahead during winter months to confirm weather-related closures.
Nearby Eats
Head back toward Spokane (about 15 minutes south) for family dining options like Twigs Bistro in Northpointe for pizza and pasta, or stop at Zip's Drive-In on Highway 2 for classic burgers and shakes that kids love.
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