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October 2024 by azdevfan
Basically a roadside zoo that adds animals to their collection while profiting off your sympathetic donations online. Failed multiple inspections (this is public info) and received many bad reviews so they reached out to solicit positive ones to keep the grift going. Just sad keeping these large animals caged/fenced in small enclosures. Do NOT donate to this place. Sad these animals will spend their remaining time here.
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September 2024 by Olivia R.
If I could give VOTK 6 out of 5 stars, I would. They truly treat their animals like family and are incredibly kind. Although I'd love it if the cages were bigger, I didn't think they were too small; they are about the same size as most big, good zoo's. Sometimes it looked like they only had one area, but if you look closely, they had another big cage attached so they actually have a lot more room than some people think. I've never been to a place that tries so hard to honor their animals and give them the utmost dignity and respect. VOTK is in critical need for volunteers and funding, so I'm going to start volunteering there one or two days a month. If you are interested in having a really cool experience and volunteering there, contact them and they will happily accept you, even if it's only for 1 hour once a month. They are also always in need of meat and produce, so if you have any extra that isn't bad but maybe not fresh enough that you would want to eat it, VOTK will gladly take it when you visit. The cool thing about VOTK is that they aren't just a big cat rescue; they also have bears, over 50 barn cats that freely roam, emus, goats, horses, geese, alpacas, a woodchuck, foxes, and wolves. They are also a farm and barn cat sanctuary. They truly appreciate their donors and if you have a membership here (which costs less than a lot of zoo tickets), you can visit as many times as you like with one tour guide that will take you through the place and tell you all about the animals. Another way that I know that all of their animals are loved and happy is because when you approach their cages, they actually come up to you and show signs of trust. The tigers will lay on their backs with their bellies up, indicating feeling safe and trusting. Despite many of these animals being abused previously, it is clear that they feel safe, happy, and healthy here. VOTK is what every sanctuary and zoo should strive to be. Their mission is not to make a profit or exploit their animals in the slightest, but rather to give them a final resting place where they can feel safe and can live the rest of their life without being exploited or abused. They treat their animals like people and give them so much respect and dignity. I cannot recommend VOTK highly enough and think they are a truly unique and special place.
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August 2024 by Sara Smith
They do a wonderful thing here. Taking in all these animals and taking care of them all
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June 2024 by Robin Gerber
Not sure what to think yet as it's members only and not open to the public.
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June 2024 by John D
Great place! Secluded too purrfect for the cats! They are well cared for and comfortable. Good place to donate to and take the family
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May 2024 by Julie Keck
I am 60 years old and have been volunteering at VOTK for 2 years now and I am in love with all the animals and enjoy the people I work with. I volunteer about 6-7 days per month and drive an hour to get there. It is worth it!
The sanctuary has been around for 51 years. The owners, Jill and Jim, have hearts of gold: very knowledgeable, compassionate and very strict with rules--keeping humans and animals safe. Their entire lives have been committed to the animals of the sanctuary.
I witness the animals being playful and happy. We feed them 7 days a week, and I enjoy watching them eat. Also, the many sounds of the farm are therapeutic; Tigers chuffing, a donkey loudly braying (named Ruby), hybrid wolves howling, roosters crowing, etc....
I also give tours for members. Many members comment on how healthy the animals look and how much space they have. I love giving tours for people who love animals as much as I do.
Yearly memberships, food pantry's, grocery stores, local farmers, volunteers and followers on Facebook help keep the sanctuary going.
I have the utmost respect for Jill and Jim. As long as I am able, I will be a helper for them. They ARE heroes!
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November 2023 by Trish Coleman
Amazing place!
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I have been volunteering there for over 20 years. The love and compassion they have for the animals is fabulous.
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June 2023 by Krista Halter
Cages are way too small for these big animals. Not fair for them. They have a good heart, but not enough land.
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June 2023 by Eric Brodsky
Amazing place for animals. I wish there were more sanctuaries like this.
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April 2023 by Monique Clark
How are people rating this so high? I've seen larger enclosure at a roadside zoo. How sad for these animals. If I had to choose between this and death I'd personally choose death.
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November 2022 by Anders Berglund
Fantastic!
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November 2022 by 5 PupPack
Why are they begging for positive reviews from their volunteers????
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November 2022 by Debra Hudson
Just something really quick I found that they love the animals we were able to get a cat and we love it so much Bubba is wonderful. It’s amazing how good they take care of the animals
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October 2022 by Kathy Krupski
Fun family experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable.
