Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary
Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary
4.5
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Welcome to Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, international home to rescued big cats. Come meet these majestic animals, learn about the feline species known as Panthera Tigris and find out how you can help to ensure their future in the United States and worldwide. We started Tiger Creek for a very specific purpose: "To provide rescue and rehabilitation of big cats that have been abused, neglected or displaced. It continues to be our guiding mission, and as we continue to expand, we are working to establish large natural settings for the big cats.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
176
Very good
48
Average
25
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Lisa
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Tiger Creek is home to several species of big cats and a few other animals. It had been raining for days when we visited, so the tortoises were roaming the information area for exercise. All the animals appear healthy and well cared-for. We enjoyed reading the backstory of each animal prominently displayed at each enclosure. The entrance fee is worth helping this heartfelt endeavor.
Written 15 March 2020
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.
Crystal J
Leonard, TX34 contributions
Jun 2020
The site is easy to find, marked well. We had a guided tour and he was very knowledgeable and was passionate about his internship. The facility was clean although there was some smell. My biggest concern was when he told us that they make the cats fast for 2 days a week. When I asked why he said that they don't eat every day in the wild. My response is perhaps however in the wild that is their choice and their meals are larger than just a tray about the size of a cookie sheet with hamburger and vitamins. They look a little thin and some of the cages look a little small. It's an ok tour but didn't leave me overly excited.
Written 23 June 2020
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.
Charlie D
Centreville, VA7 contributions
Jun 2021
Love this place and the animals! Came here in June with my wife for a tour. Best tour guide EVER, Kayla King. She knew so much about each animal made the tour so interesting! Would recommend her, the tour and the refuge to ANYONE!
CD
CD
Written 26 July 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.
Jeff P
Chicago, IL17 contributions
Apr 2013
The owners seemed like rednecks who found a way to keep tigers legally. These animals belong in a zoo or real refuge, not with trailer trash looking for handouts in the name of animals. The pens were dirty and small and the animals themselves looked miserable.
Written 17 June 2013
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.
globeseeker007
globeseeker0073,255 contributions
May 2011
This wildlife refuge is located about 10 miles north of the north loop in Tyler. The place contains lions, tigers, mountain lions, and even bobcats. Many were confiscated from private zoos while others were obtained from owners who neglected or could no longer care for them. The most famous of all of them is the tiger, Thriller, who was owned by the late Michael Jackson. I noticed that it was the only one that paced back and forth in its cage. Perhaps the years spent with the pop star took its toll on the poor creature. There is ample parking and a gift shop. Admission is $10, which is tax deductible, and includes services of a guide who takes the visitor around and explains the history of each animal.
Written 19 May 2011
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.
StaceyNDevo
Larue, TX181 contributions
May 2013 • Family
This is not a circus or a Siegfried & Roy show. This is a home for abused, abandoned and neglected big cats. They are not stocking up on animals to display for our pleasure, they are providing a home and care for these amazing cats. I have no problem paying to see them and love to try and come in every spring and fall when they are more likely to be more active. If you are looking for a "show", this isn't the place. But if you are looking for an informative and up close experiance about the lives of these beautiful animals- get over there!! People have made comments about the place not being bigger and "nicer". I honestly would be upset if my donations went to "accomodations" for us instead of caring for the tigers. This is about them, not about the quiality of the restroom.
Written 27 August 2013
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.
spilarsrest
1 contribution
Mar 2013
I took my 4yr old and my 2 yr old to visit, their hats kept falling off....they got fleas from the tigers, I took my kids to the doc sense their heads had red dots all over and a big flea jumped out....and doc confirmed it, beware!
Written 2 April 2013
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.
MartinFamilyKV
Kirksville, MO68 contributions
Apr 2011
The reviewers that mention the conditions that the animals are kept in would do well to remember that these are rescue creatures, who came from captivity to this place in order to make their lives better. You can't take a tiger that has spent it's whole life as a pet and release it into the wild to "be free". The staff here obviously love these animals and work tirelessly to provide them with the best life possible in the circumstances that exist. The place is clean, the animals look healthy, and if you are concerned about the level of care, take a moment to speak to an employee about the animals and to hear the love in their voice and see the devotion on their face. We had a great time, were very impressed, and still talk about the people we met and the animals that we saw more than a year later. It's worth a trip.
Written 23 March 2012
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.
RetiredSalt
San Antonio, Texas35 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Took my two boys here since I was hoping for an opportunity for them to see a big cat somewhat close. Was pleasantly surprised to find a good number of cats! Admission fee gets you a 45 minute to an hour tour, which provides lots of information and the history of all their animals. Animals are about 10 feet away from you, which is unnerving and amazing at the same time. First and foremost, this is a place for abandoned or mistreated cats and the work and care being provided here is fantastic. The planned upgrades for the enclosures (some are already completed) is very impressive! The boys really enjoyed seeing the big cats, especially a couple of young ones that were playing with a big plastic barrel. Good place to visit and support!
Written 11 August 2013
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.
Dapger
McKinney, TX370 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Let me start by saying that I DO NOT like any zoo or SeaWorld.
I always walk away sad. NOT HERE
The Refute is nicely laid out and the animals well cared for. The kids loved the Tigers and they were all out. We went right after they opened before it warmed up.
The stores of these animals are sad but the Refuge provides a haven.
I always walk away sad. NOT HERE
The Refute is nicely laid out and the animals well cared for. The kids loved the Tigers and they were all out. We went right after they opened before it warmed up.
The stores of these animals are sad but the Refuge provides a haven.
Written 16 January 2018
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.
No. They are all behind cages and still very wild.
Written 29 April 2019
We spent about 2 hours but our grandbaby loved to just stand there and watch the tigers. You could see it all in an hour if you kept moving. I would allot 2 hours.
Written 20 November 2018
I've been there a few times, but I can not remember if the place is stroller friendly? I have a 2 & 6 year old granddaughters. I can not carry the 2 year old and she runs around too much for me.
Written 6 August 2018
I also would rate it stroller friendly, but a little strength will be needed on the sloping areas.
Written 7 August 2018
Hello enam63. You complain about the price to see beautiful animals being well cared for. Check out their daily food bill, not to mention all the other costs associated with caring for them. Oh, and don't forget utilities and staff wages, etc. Grow up!
Written 14 July 2018
Actually, if you look at its Form 990 (tax report), it is a very small charity, bringing in less than $4 million gross in a year, none of it from government grants. Apparently most of the money it spends comes from donations and admission fees.
Outside of its program expenses (cost of operating the refuge, maintaining it, and feeding/caring for the animals), the greatest expense is fund raising. For an operation that small, that doesn't receive government subsidy yet has overhead costs that must be met (the animals do need to be housed and fed), that is not unusual.
Looking at the information available, I don't see any clear waste or excess reserves. Actually, for the last year (Fiscal Year 2016) expenses exceeded income by about $90,000.
Refuges are not cheap, if run humanely.
Written 15 July 2018
Adults $18.00, children $14.00, seniors 65+ $16.00. Go to their website for more info including days, hours, etc. You can search tiger refuge in Tyler, Texas on your computer.
Written 26 December 2017
My parents are in their mid80's. Is it an easy walk? About how far? Resting areas if they need to sit a spell? Even ground?
Written 9 September 2016
It's got areas to rest for sure but there are some hills so I could see how that might be difficult for older people. If the temperature is right then it should probably be ok. Just might need some help getting up and down the hills. The ground was pretty even and it's not too incredibly long.
Written 12 September 2016
These are the only dates it is closed
Closed on the following holidays
New Year's Day
Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Holiday (closed Thursday)
Christmas Holiday: closed December 24, & 25.
You are good to go for Sunday
Written 13 June 2016
James O
White Sands, New Mexico
I am looking for animal "encounters" at local zoos and parks across the US. We enjoy being able to play and have photo ops with wildlife and various animals. Please let me know if you offer them. Thanks!
Written 22 February 2016
They do not offer photo ops. Now there are places in Texas where you can volunteer to clean out cages and their habitats and be close to the animals but no sit down and have a lion or tiger sit next to you. Liability issues.
Written 23 February 2016
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