- Attraction: Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center
- Location: 305 Pine St, Rock Springs, WI 53961
- Industry: Animal Rescue
- Website: https://www.wisconsinbigcats.org/
Picture you’re standing just feet away from a 600-pound Siberian tiger as it devours a whole chicken, its powerful jaws making quick work of breakfast while you watch in complete fascination.
This isn’t some far-off dream safari – it’s your morning at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue, where rescued lions, tigers, and leopards live out their days in peace after surviving the dark world of private ownership and roadside attractions.
Founded in March 2005 by Jeff and Jenny Kozlowski, this remarkable nonprofit started with a simple but powerful realization: these magnificent creatures deserved so much better than being photo props or entertainment gimmicks.
What began as owners discovering the ugly truth behind big cat exploitation transformed into a sanctuary where apex predators get to simply be themselves – powerful, wild, and respected.
Unforgettable Feeding Tours & Big Cat Encounters
Morning Feeding Tours: The 8 AM feeding tour costs $25 for adults and $15 for children, lasting about an hour and a half. You’ll walk behind the enclosures on grass paths, getting incredibly close views as each cat receives their breakfast. When that 4-wheeler comes by with food, all the big cats are at attention – their eyes lock on you with an intensity that will send chills down your spine in the best possible way.
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Keep Exploring →Purchase a Whole Chicken: For an extra fee, you can buy a whole chicken that they’ll feed to one of the big cats during your tour. Watching a lion or tiger tear into fresh meat just feet away gives you a real appreciation for these incredible predators and what they’re truly capable of.
Night Tours: The evening experiences reveal a completely different side of these cats. The Night Tour takes in an hour’s worth of a much more active scene: the big cats are all awake and on the move, vastly different to day time observation. You’ll hear the deep, thunderous roars echoing through the darkness – a sound that connects you to something primal and wild.
Founders Tour: The Founders Tour involves visiting their oldest residents and learning their stories, which takes 45 minutes to an hour. Each cat here has a rescue story, from confiscated circus animals to former roadside attraction survivors, and hearing these tales puts their second chance at life into perspective.
Meet the Residents: The sanctuary houses lions, tigers, leopards, and even rare hybrids like ligers. You’ll encounter several tigers, lions, a serval, and a liger, each with distinct personalities that shine through during feeding time. Some cats are playful and energetic, while others maintain a regal composure that commands respect.
Peaceful Sanctuary Atmosphere & Natural Settings
Spacious Natural Enclosures: The enclosures for the big cats are quite large and are heavily vegetated, designed to mimic natural habitats as closely as possible. Unlike cramped zoo exhibits, these cats have room to roam, hide, and express natural behaviors.
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Discover MoreWalking Loop Design: There’s a paved circle path that leads around the cages for regular visitors, making the experience accessible for all ages and mobility levels. The layout allows you to see multiple cats without backtracking, and the path is well-maintained and easy to navigate.
Rural Tranquility: The location offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Wisconsin Dells. You can hear the king roar in the distance through the darkness as you sit around the fire if you stay overnight, creating an almost safari-like atmosphere right in Wisconsin.
Clean and Well-Maintained: It’s very clean and you walk a loop with several big cats to see. The facility clearly prioritizes both animal welfare and visitor experience, with spotless grounds and well-cared-for animals.
Other Considerations
Very Reasonable Pricing: Self-guided tours are just $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for children (4-12), making this an incredibly affordable family outing. The Morning Feeding Tour, Night Tour, and Founders Tour are all considered “specialty tours,” and are $25 for adults, $15 for children (4-12), and free for kids 3 and under.
Seasonal Hours: The rescue operates seasonally from spring through fall, with summer hours from May 26th through Labor Day, daily 10:00am-4:00pm, closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Spring and fall hours are weekends only unless you book an appointment.
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Keep Exploring →Overnight Cabin Experience: For the ultimate big cat experience, you can actually stay overnight in one of their cabins. The cabin was very spacious and we loved the deck, picnic table area and fire pit option too. Morning feeding tour was included with our stay, and you’ll fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of lions roaring – an unforgettable experience.
Family-Friendly with Considerations: While suitable for all ages, you should use bug spray, as the mosquitoes are out in full force during summer visits. The ground can be wet with morning dew during feeding tours, so closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Perfect Wisconsin Dells Add-On: The rescue isn’t very far from Wisconsin Dells, making it an ideal complement to your Dells vacation. It provides a meaningful, educational break from typical tourist attractions while supporting a worthy cause.
Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center
📍 305 Pine St, Rock Springs, WI 53961
