Big Cat Rescue is NOT open for tours so visit us virtually

Click for google map link to Big Cat Rescue

Due to the double punch of COVID-19 and the negative impact from Tiger King, Big Cat Rescue closed to the public on March 15, 2020.  There are many ways to see the cats however as we have dozens of LIVE web cams at BigCatRescue.org/cams and we go LIVE daily on Facebook.com/BigCatRescue and we go LIVE weekly on YouTube.com/DailyBigCat

Big Cat Rescue is located in sunny, Tampa, Florida on the central West coast.   We are 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport and 25 minutes from the St. Petersburg Municipal Airport.  We are approximately one hour and 15 minutes from Orlando and Disney World and are only 9 miles from Busch Gardens.  People tell us all the time that they had more fun here than at either of the before mentioned attractions.   Most people who have visited here say it is the “best time we ever had!”

We are within walking distance of Florida’s largest and newest mall, called the Citrus Park Westfield Shopping Center and are one half mile from good restaurants, like Olive Garden, Chili’s, Smokey Bones and Longhorn.  We are 10 minutes from Ben T. Davis Beach on the bay and are 45 minutes from the world renown Clearwater and St. Pete Beaches.

Getting here just got easier!  Howard Baskin, our Advisory Board Chairman was successful in purr-sueding the county to erect 5 green directional signs directing visitors to Big Cat Rescue.  Some of these signs were removed in the aftermath of the Tiger King craze that caused people to descend on the sanctuary looking for a selfie with our signs.

From I-275 in Tampa, get off on the Busch Boulevard exit and go West (away from Busch Gardens) 9 miles.  Busch Blvd. will become Gunn Highway.

After you pass under the big green overpass of the Veteran’s Expressway you will see a McDonald’s on the left.  Take a left at Citrus Park Lane, drive to the end and make a right onto a dirt drive that drops you off at our wrought iron gate.

From Tampa International Airport:  Take Veteran’s Expressway north, exit at Gunn and go left.

You will see the new walking bridge and immediately on your left you will see a McDonalds. Take a left at Citrus Park Lane, drive to the end and make a right onto a dirt drive that drops you off at our wrought iron gate.

From Orlando- Kissimmee St. Cloud take I-4 West toward Tampa.  1-4 will dead end into I-275, go North on I-275 and then follow directions above for 1-275.

GPS: Lat:28.06043 Long:-82.57155

We are located at 12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625

How to Get to Big Cat Rescue

Closest hotel:

Courtyard Marriott is right outside our front gate.

For bus schedules see Hartline’s Rapid Transit System.

For Tampa Weather go to: http://weathercenter.com/

For a taste of our local flavour, check out cool things to do while you are here at:  Our Partners or www.neighborhoodfind.com and www.TBO.com

If you are traveling with pets, you cannot bring them onto the property.  Florida law (and common sense) prohibit you from leaving them in your car, even with the A/C running.