Dade City's Wild Things

Words cant express how great everyone was here. We had a great time and will be doing it again. The otters are a blast to swim with and would do it everyday if we could. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the animals we saw and encountered. We also met the tiger cub. This little guy is awesome!! Worth every penny to meet him. Seeing all these animals up close and personal gives a greater understanding why they shouldnt be pets. I highly recomend that anyone and everyone visit Dade City Wild Things and have an animal encounter of some kind. You will not be disappointed!!!! Thanks again Wild Things you were awesome!!!!!!!!!

Dade City's Wild is a very nice place and the animals are very well cared for and loved. You will have a great experience and leave with wonderful memories. The place is clean and they are regulated by state and federal agencies .They are being targeted by animal activists who pay for negative comments on line. I have visited quite a few times and always have a great time. The swims are awesome and the photos are really nice. Great place for a reasonable price.

I returned to Dade City's Wild Things one week ago. It was clean and the animals looked well cared for. I was fortunate to do an encounter with the lemur. It was very cute and friendly. I have to say I was impressed by the girl doing the encounters. She definitely has a bond with the animals and was very professional. I found the staff to be very friendly. I kind of liked the previous gift shop but it's nice to go right in now instead of waiting for the trolley. I will definitely return. I like the changes made to the tour.

We went to Dade City's Wild Things on Valentines Day 2016 and had a great time. We took a tram ride around the zoo viewing the animals along the way, held a baby kangaroo, fed a lion, and had a private encounter with a 4 month old tiger (I think the private encounter costs a bit extra but it was worth it to have some time away from the rest of the tour group).

All of the staff members that we interacted with were friendly, intelligent, and seemed to really care about the animals. They asked us questions about the various interactions that we had and shared information about the specific animals that we saw (personalities, age, funny stories etc..).

Overall I highly recommend checking this out if you are able to.

My comments about the comments below:
Tigers do love to be in water and spend a great deal of their time in rivers and lakes in the wild. It seems as though a few of the reviewers were applying their knowledge of the domestic house cat to tigers which must be where the misunderstanding stemmed from.

While we were there new exhibits were being built, so it does seem like the owners are investing money back in to the business. Additionally I can't imagine what the food bill must be like for all of the animals and I can definitely say they all looked well fed. I thought the experience was well worth the price and would have paid much more had the prices been higher.

During the animal interactions that we had the animals did not in anyway perform for us. It was an opportunity for us to be up close to an animal that we would otherwise never be able to safely do. That was it, no dancing, no rolling over for treats, no monkeys riding dogs, etc..

We absolutely loved this hidden treasure!! We paid for the 4 animal encounter and the jeep/ train was included. I highly recommend getting the animal encounter. The tour guy was great and the animal handlers were amazing!!! They were funny, knowledgeable and very personable. They truly cared about us and our experience. Definitely going again!!

My son loves animals and dreams one day becoming an exotic veterinarian. While looking for something interesting to do over the weekend, we came across Wild Things Zoo. Along with the zoo’s website, we also read the unfortunate news of what they’re going through. I am so happy it did not stop us making a trip. We had a great time. You can really see the deep loving relationships between the animals and keepers. We loved the hands on interactions and friendly staff. Can’t brag enough on this place. We truly loved the experience.

I had some pretty big doubts about visiting after reading these reviews but I am so glad I didn’t listen! There is not a single doubt in my mind that these people LOVE AND CARE for these animals!!! I did the otter swim and had the most amazing once in a lifetime experience! You can tell the otters adore their trainers because they kept taking time out of the swim to go love and snuggle up to their trainers faces. It was too cute! They had a little float for the otters to hang out on and a basket full of toys to keep them entertained with. I had the time of my life and my husband said that I was actually in there for 45 mins which I’m so grateful for! Then as we were walking back to the front office there was a little baby tiger snuggled up to a lady’s leg in the office. They ended up taking him out into the lawn where he followed them around, played, and rubbed up against their legs. It breaks my heart to see all these awful reviews because I know it is causing others to not come here and miss out on such an awesome place! Not to mention these are rescued animals so they can’t just be let back out into the wild. If this place gets shut down more than likely all the animals are going to have to be euthanized. What’s worse an animal having a safe environment, being fed, and loved on or being put down?? Please just give this place a shot! I promise you won’t regret it! I had such an amazing time I’m already planning my next trip down!

S.N. Photos posted on my yelp review

My wife has wanted to swim with the otters and I researched and found Wild Things in Dade City. Today the day came and it was an amazing experience. Jose and Megan are a great combo with the animals and you can tell they love their job. All the staff was great, professional and personable. We had a blast and can’t wait to bring our daughters next time! The animals are very well cared for and each person took personal care in knowing about each one of them.

Along with the swim with the otters (Willy and May) we took the safari ride around the property, fed Shenaya, black bear and did the encounter with Lucy the three month old Capuchin monkey. No need to take photographs as they take AMAZING pictures of you and your experience with the animals.

Fantastic experience!!!!

I have been to this place numerous times over the past 8 or 9 yrs. First of all if you are someone who believe no one should have animals in cages then this isn't a place for you. If you are someone who has said how shabby and messy it was it could have been because of a hurricane or tornado or storm. I live nearby so I know when these things happen. If you are someone who has said the animals are in their own waste and mistreated or malnourished you are down right lying. This is a small family owned business that gives a wonderful experience to those of us who love animals and believe in conservation and saving of animals and sometimes having to take animals from people who can't take care of them anymore or because they were found injured and taken to this zoo for rescue and rehabilitation. PETA did not shut them down I was there when all that drama went down for no reason other than PETA is in business to put all others out of business. The reality is go there for yourself and see what the truth is. It's a piece of Florida history, Florida living, beautiful gardens and beautiful wondrous animals who love their owners and caretakers. I have taken all my friends and family there when they come to Florida . Don't assume anything. Go see for yourself and ask questions. Love love love this place

Loved our visit! We did the animal experience with the tiger cub, otter, fox and anteater and every animal was happy and healthy. The handlers clearly care for the animals, and the animals seemed bonded to them as well. We will come back, even though it's seven hours from home!

Wow some harsh critics on here!!!! This is not Disney or Epcot they have some issues and maybe it’s not the smoothest experience setting up and appointment and getting there. However, once i got passed all of that and made it there with my girlfriend we both had an awesome time. I felt they take good care of the animals and actually bond with them. I say this because the animals displayed that when the specific people were near them. As a guest you get the opportunity to get closer to some of these animals than any state zoo. The encounters options they offer is amazing as well. I highly recommend this place. I have not been paid for my review this is my own personal review.

Went today for a walking tour and 4 animal encounters. My husband and I did the tiger and baby gibbon encounter and it was awesome. We also fed the white Tiger and the Siberia tigers. It was a cooler & cloudier day so all the animals were out and active in their cages. It was overall about a 4 hour tour. The trolley brings you right down to the zoo which was convinent. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Loved this place and had a great close up animal experience like no other.

We went to Dade City’s Wild Things as part of an annual girls’ trip. We had an amazing time. Our group can be silly and Megan and Sierra laughed right along with us. The otters were adorable and playful and Sierra took A TON of fantastic pictures to document our experience for us. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many animal experiences and this was, by far, my favorite. Megan was so knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the animals while we were in the water and patiently answered all of our questions. They even let us take a picture in front of Harley, their cute little tiger, even though we were there for the otters. They clearly care deeply about their animals and the otters adored them which tells me they are treated well. When the otters were tired, they took them out and back to their enclosure and I love that the animals’ needs come first. Money very well spent and we are already planning our next visit.

I have been to Dade City Wild Things on a number of occasions, and it has been a wonderful experience every time. The people who run Dade City Wild Things are wonderful people that love their animals and treat them with love and care, they are very knowledgeable about all the animals in their care and they are willing to share their knowledge with the people that go there, and I would recommend them to anyone. It is fun for the whole family young and old, and you come away with such wonderful memories to cherish for life..all these one star reviews are just animal activists trying to make a wonderful place look bad with lies. Dade City Wild Things love their animals and treats them with love and care. Don't believe the rubbish they write..

Love Dade City Wild Things! The grounds and gardens are just beautiful and the animals are amazing. The tour guides are knowledgeable and often share the stories behind each animal. They offer the best summer camp my child has ever been to! We have also been to the “so-called competitor “ and would gladly go to Dade City Wild Things any day over going to Tampa. The owners at Dade City Wild Things are friendly and caring. They know each animal by name and more importantly, the animals know them! It is very clear that the animals love the owners and that they are well cared for.

My post is from the experience itself which was a lot of fun! We took the tram ride during the summer and it was quite hot of course, so as Floridians we knew shorts, hats and tank tops were a must to keep cool! Lots of cute animals to see, but the best part was where we paid to pet specific animals after the tram ride! We got to pet a baby tiger, baby monkey, baby wallaby & a fennec fox. It was very special and the trainers were very sweet and good about answering our questions. You can also add-on a photo package for when you're playing with the animals that was well worth it since you can't use your camera on property.

I have had the dream to hold a baby tiger for forever and it finally happened! Nothing can compare to this wonderful experience. All the negative reviews make me sad because the caretakers really do care about the animals and treat them well. The animals positively respond to their caretaker. I enjoyed every minute of my experience here! I wish I lived closer because I would come all the time! Love. Love. Love. This place!

What a great experience! This place provides a rare up-close experience that you do not get with a typical zoo. The caretakers genuinely care for each and every one of the animals like they were a member of the family and it shows in their vast knowledge of each of them. The animal encounters are something truly unique and help to promote understanding and conservation on these many endangered animals through personal interactions. I highly recommend for all ages.

Having been to Dade city wild Things 3 times I can only say what a great place and brilliant staff and Family. The animals are so well loved and looked after. You can tell they all love the animals by the way the animals react with their trainers.
The family home always has little babies in it, doing 2 hourly feeds night and day, that's not a job it's a lifestyle. We did things at the zoo I could only dream of doing. Seeing my dad's face when he got to play, Swim and feed a tiger cub was the best, awesome experience. A dream come true for him. I would recommend Dade city Wild things to everyone.

Dade City Wild Things Zoo is one of the most awesome and amazing places around! It’s a family run and family atmosphere where you can get up close and personal with the animals safely with different packages.
If you want the most memorable experience for you and your family you will take multiple trips to a most incredibly unique zoo! It’s where not only memories are made but knowledge is gained. You will be so educated about the different animals and learn how much care goes into providing a proper home for them. So many animals are becoming extinct but by learning about the different animals and where they come from may influence your future in wanting to take on a career of protecting them here or in their native countries.
The Stearns are the most caring and dedicated people I’ve known in a long time. They give everything of themselves to provide you with enjoyment, memories and knowledge.
Anyone rating this negatively is under the influence of bad propaganda and it just shows how many sad people out there are nothing but puppets. When someone can get you to write lies about a place where the majority of those comments are based on a place those people have never been, it shows the mindless individuals that are among the human race! That’s a FACT!!

This was our second time visiting this wonderful place, The first time was 7 years ago and recently in June of 2019 when we brought our grand daughter so she could have experiences that most can only dream of.
From the moment you check in, you are greeted by and adorable black and white cat that only has three legs. A cat that Wild Things rescued from an abusive owner. They focus on rescuing and saving animals. There is absolutely no signs of abuse.
The Peacocks strut around with their full tail feathers, the roosters beautiful with feathers of red and blue and green. The sun dances off the colors of their feathers.
Wild Things educates visitors about animals and their love of their animals is evident.
Before anyone is allowed to pet their animals, each person must wash their hands with sanitizer and engage in an education lesson about the animal.
My grand daughter had an experience of being up close with a baby monkey and a serval. She will remember this forever.
Wild Things is an amazing place with people that care that take the time to educate and teach children and adults the importance of saving our worlds wildlife for future generations. By allowing these type of encounters they capture and open hearts and minds for the future.
Pasco County... You need to get behind and support this organization.
Not Listen to negative reviews - This Place is One of a Kind