Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary

"I was unsure going into this tour because any time I had gone to the zoo and seen animals in enclosures, I always left feeling incredibly sad. After doing the guided tour at this facility, I left with tears in my eyes at the amazing love each of these animals receives from all the volunteers. The care that is provided by everyone at the sanctuary and how much they genuinely love these animals is inspiring. They pay attention to all the little details and preferences of each animal and make sure that they are accommodated. With each animal’s different personalities and quirks, modifications have been made to every aspect of their day-to-day lives and each enclosure so that they are happy and feel safe. We got to watch them play in their own personal pools, the different toys for brain stimulation, eat, and even get some special treats from the volunteers (appropriate diet-safe treats of course). All the primates even had their own TVs to watch!! It is so clear that each animal is well cared for and feels safe. They would run over to say hi when they heard the volunteers voice or roll onto their backs, exposing their belly, and take a nap. As we were leaving, one of the volunteers was sitting and chatting with a Macaw! I loved every minute of that tour and my heart is so full. Thank you to all of the volunteers that take care of these animals!!!!"

"We appreciated the experience on the tour to see the volunteers engage with the bears, lions, tigers, monkeys and parrots and the tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable. It saddens me that people writing reviews are bashing this sanctuary. Although the enclosures at Octagon aren't the largest, the staff and volunteers rescued these animals (many were sick, traumatized etc.) when the animals had nowhere else to go. Octagon is clearly doing the best they can. If you have ever been to places like Big Cat Rescue, you'll see that the enclosures are not that much bigger than those at Octagon. Octagon is a credible sanctuary as well, and doesn't breed or exploit their animals. I understand feeling sad for the animals, but bashing the sanctuary is cruel and hurtful to animals themselves and affects their ability to be cared for. We should support their efforts and donate our time and money to help fund improvements in the enclosures. I would recommend visiting Octagon. It's a great opportunity to learn about and see up-close exotic animals. But please go with realistic expectations, an open mind and a loving heart. Be respectful and the cause it represents. It's a great day trip for your kids so they can learn about the life of exotic animals and what happens when they are bought as pets and exploited as babies, and the reasons they must live in captivity. At least in captivity they have a second chance to live a full life with love, food and enrichment."

"I’ve seen social media posts and photos of Octagon and always thought it was “a regular sanctuary” you could find all over FL. Let me tell you how wrong I was! I learned so much about the history and current methods of animal care and safety, which really showed just how much they prioritize animal welfare above all else. This place is run entirely by volunteers but it is maintained as if there’s a full time staff. The grounds and enclosures are in great shape and you can tell the animals are relaxed and happy. Some of them never knew a kind hand until they arrived here, so seeing them so settled and peaceful is heartwarming. For tours, they give the animals treats and enrichment activities so you get to see them active and engaged. If you go in the morning you’ll likely see the team of enclosure cleaners making their rounds…watching how much work they do to keep the enclosures clean and safe was an added bonus! This is the kind of place you wish you found sooner and can’t wait to go back to for another visit. My heart was full as I drove back home and now I want to volunteer there!"

"Definitely an amazing place to get up close with animals you rarely have an opportunity to see. It’s not a zoo - doesn’t even feel like one. The passion and care you see for these stunning creatures is so genuine - it’s all volunteer based, so you know these caregivers truly want the best for them. Tracy was so knowledgeable and friendly with our homeschool group, and welcomed our questions. It’s heartbreaking to know some of the backstories, but it’s heartwarming to know these beautiful, special animals are loved and cared for! They are 100% funded by donations, and proceeds from tours and their gift shop. If visiting or live in the area - I would definitely recommend booking this tour!"