Founder Debbie Wyche reflects on 35 years of wildlife rescue and the next generation of leadership guiding the sanctuary forward. As Cat Tales Wildlife Center celebrates its 35th year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the journey that brought us here—and the next chapter that lies ahead for both the sanctuary and for me. When you…
Read MoreA Family-Friendly Wildlife Experience Near Spokane. Visit. Learn. Support Lifelong Care.
Forever Homes for Wildlife. Education for the Community.
Cat Tales Wildlife Center is a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo in Mead, Washington, near Spokane.
We provide lifelong care for rescued, retired, and non-releasable wildlife while helping visitors learn about animals through real stories, respectful observation, and education.
Your visit supports food, veterinary care, enrichment, habitat maintenance, and safe forever homes for the animals who call Cat Tales home.
Plan Your Visit
Find hours, admission information, directions, and what to expect.
Meet the Animals
Learn about the wildlife residents who call Cat Tales home.
Sponsorships
Help provide lifelong care for a favorite wildlife species.
Explore the Wildlife Academy
Learn about hands-on zookeeping and wildlife management education.
Every Visit Supports the Animals
When you visit Cat Tales, you are helping provide lifelong care for wildlife that cannot return to the wild.
Visitor support helps provide:
Food and species-appropriate nutrition
Veterinary care and wellness support
Enrichment that encourages natural behaviors
Safe habitats and daily care
Educational programs for guests and students
Your visit makes a direct difference for the animals and helps Cat Tales continue its mission of rescue, lifetime care, and education.
Educational Animal Experiences
Cat Tales offers animal encounters and special experiences that help guests learn more about wildlife behavior, care, and respect for animals.
Availability may vary by season, animal choice, staffing, weather, and safety needs.
Popular experiences may include:
Big cat experiences
Bear experiences
Fox experiences
Special feeding or educational encounters
Zookeeping and Wildlife Management Education
Cat Tales Wildlife Academy offers hands-on education for students interested in zookeeping, wildlife management, animal care, and sanctuary operations.
Students learn through observation, safety practices, daily routines, professionalism, and real-world experience connected to the mission of Cat Tales Wildlife Center.
The Academy supports the sanctuary’s educational purpose while helping prepare students to better understand the responsibilities of wildlife care.
Make a one-time or monthly gift to support daily animal care.
Choose a species to support through animal sponsorship.
Membership helps support the sanctuary while keeping you connected to Cat Tales.
Give your time and skills to support the mission.
This Month's Featured Residents
Get to know a few of the animals who call Cat Tales home.
Each resident has a unique personality, care routine, and story. Learning about individual animals helps visitors understand why lifelong care matters and how support makes a difference.
Meet Ricky
Orphaned in Oklahoma and unable to return to the wild, Ricky the bobcat found a forever home at Cat Tales. Today, this curious young bobcat is thriving in the Inland Northwest.
Tigger the Tiger
Tigger is one of the friendliest tigers at Cat Tales, known for greeting guests and keepers with his signature “chuff.” Rescued from the exotic animal industry, Tigger now helps visitors learn about tiger behavior, conservation, and the lifelong commitment required to care for big cats in captivity.
Ozzy the African Serval
With his long legs, incredible jumps, and spotted coat, Ozzy captures attention wherever he goes. Originally kept as an exotic pet, Ozzy now serves as an ambassador for his species, helping guests understand the challenges exotic animals face when private ownership no longer works out.
Events, Updates, and Animal Stories
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🐾 Wild Pathways Discovery Camp – Registration
Learn Together. Explore Together. Experience the Wild. Looking for a meaningful summer experience you can share? At Cat Tales Wildlife Center, our Wild Pathways Discovery Camp…
Friday, June 19, 2026 – Thursday, August 27, 2026 Cat Tales Wildlife Center -
The Best Time to See the Animals
☀️🐾 Summer at Cat Tales is in Full Swing! Every day at Cat Tales is different. Animal activity can change with the weather, season, care…
Saturday, June 20, 2026 – Friday, July 31, 2026 Cat Tales Wildlife Center -
Dad’s Day Weekend at Cat Tales
Celebrate Dad’s Day Weekend with a wild family visit to Cat Tales Wildlife Center. Spend the day meeting the animals, learning from our zookeeper staff,…
Saturday, June 20, 2026 – Sunday, June 21, 2026 Cat Tales Wildlife Center
Latest Posts
Wildlife Sponsorship Program
We are thrilled to introduce you to the Wildlife Sponsorship Program at Cat Tales! This program offers a unique opportunity for compassionate individuals like you to make a lasting impact on the lives of our wildlife residents. Adopting or sponsoring an animal will directly contribute to their care and well-being. As a token of our…
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Audio Tour
Learn about the animals of Cat Tales from home or during your visit.
Audioguía en español
Aprende sobre los animales de Cat Tales desde casa o durante tu visita.