McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary image

McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary

Animal rescue service

A sanctuary for over 170 animals offers tours & hands-on programs for kids. Reservations required. People often mention animals, tour, guide, care, experience, sanctuary, knowledgeable, recommend, clean, animal,


Address

12943 61st St N, West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Website

www.mccarthyswildlife.com

Contact

(561) 790-2116

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (741 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 1 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 1 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 1 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 1 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: animals (44) tour (21) guide (18) care (11) experience (10) sanctuary (9) knowledgeable (9) recommend (8) clean (8) animal (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Kassandra R. 2 years ago on Google
    Great sanctuary! Things were well organized, plenty of parking just outside the main gate. Our guide was well informed about the different animals, and there was even a chance to get up close and personal in the reptile house. There are restrooms, and a gift shop on site.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sharon C. 2 years ago on Google
    I saw the reviews for this and they were so right! This is better than a zoo! You get up close and personal to the animals and Alexis our guide loved the animals and you could tell how they loved her as well. They had lion, tigers, Jaguar, leopard and others. Beautiful animals. It was cool to watch when she fed them. Alexis told us about each animal and how they came to the sanctuary. Highly recommend coming here. You also get to touch or hold some of the animals too.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Lisa M. 1 year ago on Google
    For people who don’t know what they’re looking at this place probably looks like a great home for these animals. But it’s not. It’s not a “sanctuary” it’s a prison. With extremely small enclosures for huge wild cats. And where I myself am most educated is reptiles, I was APPALLED at the care of the reptiles. Completely incorrect substrates, enclosures, lighting. I asked the tour guide if the leopard gecko had any calcium since it had horrible metabolic bone disease. I was shocked when she said they have a “special sand” that has the calcium in it. That’s called calcium sand and it’s one of the worst substrates you can possibly use for this species. There was no moist hide and it had stuck shed all over its toes and feet, licking at its tail that is clearly in pain. The ball pythons husbandry was completely wrong and there were two housed together, they are SOLITARY snakes. Some tour guide tried to pass this neglected gecko off to me as old, unfortunately for her I’ve been keeping them for 15 + years. It was an excuse to try and explain the horrid husbandry. Completely outdated care. Don’t go here, don’t give them your money, don’t let them make you think they are some sort of “haven”. I wouldn’t surrender anything to this place. You guys really need to get your stuff together, or give these animals to people who actually know what they are doing. That leopard gecko will be dead within months or suffer even longer because they tend to hold on. If I wasn’t 1000 miles away from home I would have asked to speak to the owner and take that gecko off their hands and give it the life it deserves. Whoever this “Mark” person is who I guess owns this place. You have no business to keep these animals. And you have NO business doing anything educational ESPECIALLY with reptiles when you are so clearly uneducated yourself. This was an all around sad, disappointing trip, and a reminder to me that most of these “sanctuaries” are just places that grab animals that have nowhere to go and show them off for profit.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 U A. 1 year ago on Google • 19 reviews
    We had the best time! Jeremy was our guide and he made the tour so much fun and educational! My three boys LOVED being able to learn about the animals at the sanctuary and interact with them! We can tell that Jeremy sincerely loves and cares about the animals there. The enclosures were clean and the animals appeared well taken care of- which made us happy. I appreciate the sanctuary takes in the animals that their owners abandon, and their efforts to educate people to be more responsible when choosing to have exotic pets, and about finding a way to coexist with wildlife in harmony. Human is the number one cause of extinction of many species, and we need more places like this sanctuary to remind people of the importance of conservation. We would definitely come back when we visit the area again!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anthony M. 7 months ago on Google • 79 reviews
    Great experience seeing the animals, including a number of big cats. It's not setup like a traditional zoo, so your tour is just a handful of people and you can get very close to the enclosures which makes for excellent photos. Proceeds from tour go to helping care for the animals so it's a great cause as well. They also engage in animal rehabilitation. Highly recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eliana F. 8 months ago on Google • 21 reviews
    We took our kid as a birthday gift from family members. We absolutely LOVE IT! Bianca was our tour guide. She was AMAZING! The whole family will enjoy this experience. You learn so much and will see animals that otherwise, you would probably never encounter(like a liger). The stories behind every animal are also so incredible. Bianca is very knowledgeable and kept the visit very fun for all the kids. We got to held and touch different animals. We've been living in the Palm Beach area for years and we didn't know about this place. I'm happy we got to see it. I highly recommend it!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carol H. 1 month ago on Google • 318 reviews New
    What a great find! Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The guided tour was fantastic. Will definitely be back!

  • 5/5 Crystal A. 9 months ago on Google
    This Wildlife Sanctuary is amazing!! Our tour guide, Bianca, was the best. She was very friendly and informative. I would definitely return.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica H. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is awesome and all the animals definitely love Alexis! She was so awesome and it was a very informative tour. You do not get to touch any big cat but you do get to hold the baby gator, snake, and tarantula as well a touch a cute fluffy animal (sorry, i can't remember its species) If you're worried about it being stinky, it's not. You may get a whiff of stinky for a couple of seconds but it's very clean there. Everyone is so nice and the animals are so gorgeous! Just go!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kealani-Nicole Young (Mango S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very clean and healthy looking animals! organized and kind workers. It was a fun experience and I would recommend checking this place out if you want a little more personal setting Signed up for the tour on Friday. They have restrooms here but if you need to go during a tour you'll be escorted back. You stuck together as a group and are not allowed to wander off alone. Looks to have plenty of parking outside the premise. once inside, they have tables to sit underneath the shade as well as water bottles to buy You're allowed to touch the animals and handle them at your own risk as stated by the sign A very cool place that takes care of the animals here
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 debora h. 1 month ago on Google • 220 reviews New
    Amazing tour of the facilities. Super clean, fantastic animal encounter. Friendly host/guide. Definitely a must visit place. I will be back again.

  • 5/5 Bette M. 2 years ago on Google
    A wonderful animal sanctuary. Animals are well cared for. Small group tours. Our tour guide, Laura, was very knowledgeable. Well worth the price. All the $$ goes to help take care of the animals.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrea B. 1 year ago on Google
    We had Such an awesome experience today at the McCarthys wildlife sanctuary. I highly recommend it. We took a two hour guided tour and learned so much about all the animals. Our guide was awesome. You can tell she loves the animals. They are all well cared for and their habitats are all clean. Thank you, we will be back again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 a s. 2 years ago on Google
    I couldn’t believe we hadn’t been here after living in the community for more than a decade. Now that my youngest daughter is a snake enthusiast we had to go. I have never seen such well cared for animals, clean cages, and knowledgeable staff. Mr. McCarthy was even outside welcoming us as we entered and saying farewell as we left. They even have a wonderful gift shop. You can tell that this is a labor of love and they are doing this for all the right reasons. Olivia was a fantastic guide as well!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patrick G. 5 months ago on Google • 80 reviews
    Amazing wildlife refuge. Had such a great time on the tour with Alexis as our tour guide. Very friendly and informative. You get to learn not only about the animals but their individual backstories and how they arrived there. Such a great place. I can't wait till my son turns 5 next you so I can bring him as well. Did I mention they let you hold some of the animals. Super cool experience for a family or a date.

  • 5/5 Lisa B. 1 month ago on Google • 76 reviews New
    Found this little suburban sanctuary on Tripadvisor and it did not disappoint. Tours are only available by calling them direct and only a few days a week at limited times. If you like small group tours, this is for you. The animals are very well cared for, even spoiled and I’m glad they have a place like this they can call home. Definitely a must see in the West Palm Beach area.

  • 5/5 Shannon C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great little park. We loved that the animals were all rescues. You can tell how well taken care of they are.

  • 5/5 Toby B. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful place!! Lisa was an amazing tour guide and we had a wonderful time there. She answered all our questions and the animals clearly were happy and treated well. I would strongly recommend.

  • 5/5 corinne g. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful experience. The tour was fascinating, the premises terrific and the variety of animals in their care was inspiring and impressive. Lisa, our guide was amazingly patient, entertaining and knowledgeable.

  • 5/5 DaLena E. 1 year ago on Google
    I would highly recommend visiting McCarthys Wildlife Sanctuary during your stay in south Florida! The staff were very knowledgeable and amazing, it’s easy to get to and the grounds were clean and beautiful. Not to mention, the animals seemed very happy and enjoyed us visiting!

  • 5/5 BrOkEn 9 months ago on Google
    Our family signed up for a guided tour and we had a wonderful time. Our guide Alexis was very knowledgeable, friendly and all around amazing. I feel that McCarthys offers a far better experience then going to a zoo. They offer a more personalized experience for all animal lovers. We were able to get very close to all the animals and were even able to interact with some of them. All of the animals were in very good health and you can tell they are very well taken care of and loved. We will definitely visit McCarthys again. 10 out of 10.

  • 5/5 Empress V. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful place and the animals seemed well cared for. My kids enjoyed every moment and so did I. A good variety of animals and our tour guide was amazing. I won't post all pictures to spoil it but it's a def yes!

  • 5/5 Genevieve R. 1 year ago on Google
    The experience is both educational and magical. It is evident that the tour guides and staff have deep, loving relationships with all the animals. There are opportunities to hold all kinds of different animals from furry to slimy! This is a wonderful way to support the rehabilitation and conservation of a huge variety of exotic animals.

  • 5/5 Mira S. 7 months ago on Google • 16 reviews
    The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and you can tell that the animals are very well taken care of. Super informative and fun experience, regardless of age. One of my top must-see places every time I'm in West Palm Beach.

  • 5/5 Bruce T. 5 months ago on Google
    This is our 2nd visit this year with different family members and 3rd visit overall. Jayme was an excellent guide knowing about all the animals and answering our questions. This has been the case with each of our guides. The animals are all well taken care of and you can tell staff interaction is constant. Animals are rehabilitated and released when able, or become permanent residents of McCarthy's or like institution. You are able to handle a snake, tarantula, small gater and honey bear if you would like. We will continue to visit and support this place so they can continue the work they do.

  • 5/5 Marie C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to go with kids. Sanctuary is unbelievably clean and the animals are very well kept and cared for. Tour guide is knowledgeable and very friendly. Definitely would recommend.


Call (561) 790-2116 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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