Appalling Visitor Reviews These Roadside Zoos Don’t Want You to See

Published by Zachary Toliver.
3 min read

Roadside zoos are among the most fun-sucking, depressing facilities on Earth. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Every year, numerous patrons regret ever setting foot in these places that neglect and abuse animals for profit. And thanks to the internet, they have the chance to voice their grievances in the hope of preventing others from regrettably supporting these animal prisons.

Check out what these reviewers had to say about their visits to horrific roadside zoos:

Waccatee Zoological Farm, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This is the saddest place in Myrtle Beach. These animals are in desperate need of help. I left this zoo with tears in my eyes and anger in my heart. The only time I will be back is to protest. I pray that this place gets closed down.

Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, Oroville, California

I went to the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife "Sanctuary" when I was in college. First of all, they would have a new baby animal every few months. You could go and hold the baby which is something a true sanctuary would not allow. They were obviously buying these animals as a way to get people to visit their zoo, not saving them. Even if these animals were rescues, they are kept in extremely small cages, way smaller than you would see even at a typical zoo. Do not support this business. I would not even let my dog live in a cage as small as those wild animals live in.

Oswald’s Bear Ranch, Newberry, Michigan

This place says it

Tregembo Animal Park, Wilmington, North Carolina

This zoo was horrible. It was so sad to see the animals. They don’t have enough room for the animals they have. The zoo doesn’t provide their animals enough space to survive nor do they have any stimulation. This zoo is clearly not interested in taking care of animals and more interested in making money. We had a group of seven kids who all were disgusted at the conditions of the animals before we left.

Zootastic Park, Troutman, North Carolina

I will NEVER return to this "zoo"!!! This was the most DEPRESSING outing I have ever taken in my entire life and I am upset that I spent any of my time and money on this horrific experience. There were multiple animals with very evident injuries, the environment was pitiful and looked like a complete wasteland, there were no evident sources of water and many of the animals we encountered seemed traumatized and afraid. All three adults in the car, including myself, were extremely upset upon leaving this place and I just thank god that the child with us was too young to understand the atrocities that were happening here. Absolutely disgusting!! DO NOT SUPPORT THIS "BUSINESS"!!!

Cherokee Bear Zoo, Cherokee, North Carolina

Discovered this by accident when trying to make a U turn in Cherokee. My daughter was in tears at the thought of a bear cub being forced to take pictures with tourists all day. Haven

*****

We must work harder than ever to shut down roadside zoos.

By their very nature, places that exploit animals are rife with potential for abuse and neglect. No tiger, bear, or any other animal would choose living in a cramped, dingy cage at a roadside zoo over playing, swimming, and being with their families. Just like humans, animals have their own thoughts, needs, likes, dislikes, and even culture. Roadside zoos ignore all of that and reduce an animal’s existence to the amount of money they can generate.

Don’t pass a few hours at a place where animals will languish in misery long after you’ve gone home. Please don’t buy a ticket. Instead, explain to your friends and family why you stand against this cruelty.

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