Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary — Attraction in Paradise

0 stars if I could. Let me start by saying I have NEVER BEFORE left a google review- nor am I a member of any animal welfare programs.

This place is a deplorable, disgrace. The amount of reviews from these naïve individuals has me in a state of shock ... My 1 bedroom apartment cat has far better living conditions than any of these full sized LIONS, LEOPARDS, & BEARS.

They claim to be a peaceful sanctuary for these "special needs" & "partially blind", etc creatures.

"To avoid euthanasia" was the reason given to me.

Eurhanasia would have been a better outcome for these animals. Let that sink in ....

This place needs to be criminally condemned, with all animals transported to professional facilities. I'm afraid they are too far gone ...

Imagine being a leopard and just pacing back and forth in a barren jail cell- a look of terror and discomfort on your face. Poor cat did not even have something as simple as a place to perch on! Cook in a Sauna and wait for the end- while a few sickos profit off the ordeal.

BIG shame on CA for allowing this nonsense. We are better than this !!

Seriously rethink bringing your children to a place like this. I fully regret the entry fee I paid to go in and have my entire day ruined.

If anyone has information on what sort of action we can take to help get the doors closed at Barry Kishner- do...

Kirshners wildlife refuge is hidden gem in our community. It is home to many exotic animals like lions, tigers and bears. Or if you prefer, wallabies, alligators and lemurs. There are so many more animals to see, it's like having a zoo just a short drive away. One thing to keep in mind though, is that this place is not a zoo. It is a sanctuary. Every animal here has a story and generally wouldn't be accepted at a regular zoo or wouldn't be able to integrate into the wild. This program is in memory of its founder, Barry Kirschner, by his loving mother, who continues his work to this day. It depends on donations, volunteers and a very small, and very dedicated staff who care deeply about these animals. I have read some not so favourable and ultimately unfair reviews. These people fail to see the big picture and should get their hands dirty before passing judgement. It takes an epic amount of work to keep this sanctuary going and guess what; they aren't doing it for you and I. They do it for the animals. This facility deserves your support. Take the family, take a date, take a sister or take a mate. A hidden gem,...

Update 2021: Volunteer injured after entering leopard cage at fake sanctuary.

Update: Reports of Abuse and Deaths at Sham Sanctuary

Written by Jennifer O'Connor | May 20, 2014 Update: In January of 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its order that the notorious Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation in Oroville, California, pay more than $5,000 in fines for chronic violations of the Animal Welfare Act, following an inspection prompted by PETA and numerous calls for investigations in recent years. Documented violations include subjecting animals to temperatures of over 100 degrees with no cooling measures, failing to provide a tiger who had an eye injury and a lynx who had limb pain with veterinary care, and allowing members of the public to engage in dangerous direct contact with adult lions, a tiger, and a bear.

Originally posted February 10, 2014:

Former volunteers at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation in California have come forward to report appalling abuse and neglect and an alarming number of animal deaths at the sham sanctuary, which is operated by...