Austin Zoo

Sorry Austin, no matter how green you want to be your ZOO is not a sanctuary. This is a horrible place. There is little to no education. The objective of this ""sanctuary"" should be to work itself out of business, the only way that can happen is for people to understand how the animals arrived at the center and what needs to be done to prevent an animal from being housed in a horrible facility such as this until it dies. The staff serve no larger purpose but to assure their own jobs. Why are the primates in nasty cramped enclosures? There are a number of true sanctuaries scattered across the country this is not one. Endless hours of boredom, unnatural pacing back and forth, over weight animals do not make a sanctuary. It makes a cross between a jail, a petting zoo and hell. more

Perfect zoo if you dopn't want to spend the entire day walking around. Just big enough to see some great sites and not have the kids totally exhausted and cranky when you've seen it all. more

Fun for a short trip to the zoo, but a little sad. Monkeys are fun & interactive but it was a hot day and the big cats looked broken down... more

This is a beautiful animal sanctuary. It is very natural, rocky terrain, and it is not glitzy or showy. This zoo is all about caring for and loving the animals. I respect and admire such a place. Most zoos are all about profit and what they can sell you in the gift shop. This place gives you an opportunity to show your children that there are people and places left in this world that care about animals and life. I have read the other reviews, including the nasty one from the people with a dog. Shame on you for targeting this animal sanctuary and for not being responsible adults. Austin Zoo, keep doing what you are doing and try to ignore the irresponsible schleps of the world. Great job!!!! Pros: Beautiful Zoo Cons: NONE!!! more

I guess people don't really do their research before visiting this place. They come expecting a for-profit zoo like San Antonio or Ft. Worth Zoos. It's not. This place is a non-profit animal sanctuary and thus doesn't have all the modern conveniences like paved paths, a huge gift shop, and animal interpreters/zookeepers to answer your questions. I visited yesterday for the first time with my husband and infant daughter. I had already done my homework and wasn't expecting a flashy zoo. It was about what I expected. The cages were well-kept and clean and we saw a few handlers cleaning out the cages, feeding animals, and even playing with the ring-tailed lemurs. I guess we were just there at the right time. The paths were a bit rocky and unpaved, but we managed just fine with our run-of-the mill Graco stroller and there were LOTS of other families there with strollers and none seemed to mind. We didn't interact with the staff much, but the lady who took our admission fee was friendly enough. The cages were well marked with the names and ages of the animals and information about their natural habitats and sometimes information about their backgrounds/where they were rescued from. We didn't ride the train as it seemed sort of a waste with a small infant who wouldn't get much out of it. Maybe when she's older. We saw it go by and it was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The roaming peacocks, chickens, and guinea fowl were neat and there was a colorful rooster perched about 20 feet up in an oak tree, which the kids at a birthday party found very exciting. Our baby loved watching the monkeys and prairie dogs, who were very active and playful. All in all, we had a terrific time and plan to return when she's older. If you don't go expecting a for-profit zoo experience, then you won't be disappointed! Pros: Giving abused and neglected exotic animals a home Cons: None more

I'm never impressed when I leave this place, but the kids enjoy it. I've had a birthday party there and my only complaint is the many,many bees. I also went during the winter on one of Austin's rare very cold days, and I was shocked to see the parrots outside shivering in cages. we asked a staff member about it and they were pretty snarky with thier response. Don't bother bringing a stroller, it will just frustrate you. Pros: the kids love it Cons: not much to get excited about more

The Austin Zoo needs support from our community. It could be a wonderful place if it had some support- money, volunteers. If you go expecting a zoo experience like a well funded zoo can give, stay at home. But it is the kind of place your kids ( 8 and up ) can go explore. I have not encountered rude staff, I was well treated and have enjoyed my visits there. I hope more people will decide to give the Austin zoo more support. more

This zoo has the rudest staff I've ever come in contact with. We've taken my family to several zoo's, some big-some small, but never have we experienced staff that acts as if they hate the patrons who help support them. \r As for the comments regarding the man who paid a family to watch thier chihuaua(sp?) while they were in the zoo since they found upon arriving that pets weren't allowed: what a GENIOUS idea! And, it amazes me how that is NO ONE'S business! I'm sure if that man was compelled enough to love his pet to bring along on a family trip to the zoo, he wouldn't have left it in danger. Strangers are allowed around the animals in the zoo daily. Get over it and mind your own business. Gas is expensive, and the kids would have been disappointed, and the dog was left with a family down the street from the zoo-AND? Get over yourselves. This zoo needs an immediate and thorough staff makeover. Pros: Animals are there and alive Cons: Staff in incredibly RUDE more

I keep reading negative reviews for this zoo that typically involve a bad train ride and bad stroller terrain. I have no kids and thus strollers are no issue of mine, but for the people complaining about the train, be aware that the train ride is not actually affiliated with the zoo; it's separately owned, and the profits do not go to the animals. I love this place. They do great work for animal rehabilitation and still keep the place looking nice and, yes, while the San Antonio Zoo is larger and more elaborate, bear in mind that the Austin Zoo is essentially running a charity for abused animals. I found the staff friendly, the country setting pleasing, and the entire trip a fantastic one. A flock of free-roaming peacocks helping themselves into the bear's den was especially amusing. Pros: Noble Cause, Great Setting more

What they do for the animals is wonderful. It's a great place for a birthday or picnic. However the staff was un friendly, didn't even look at us while they took our money. The train lasted about 10 minutes and showed not much of anything for a very high cost amount. I understand needing money for the zoo but come on 10 bucks almost for our small family to ride a short train, when we starting having fun it was over. \r The food and feeding animals is great. Bring insect spray for your arms and children and only a jogging stroller, normals will be horrible to get around. Pros: Animals not found in other zoos, feeding and touching animals, good picnic areas Cons: bad parking, costly train ride, bad for normal strollers, un friendly staff more

I was there for that! I witness the whole thing! That man DID leave his dog with some random people up the street, he is insane. I would never leave a part of my family dependant on me with complete strangers and I would NEVER settle on leaving them in the car on a hot day either. The director, who was the person who previously replied is being nice about the whole thing in her response. It was a very hot day and the man was a total moron. I cant believe he would bash all staff because he got caught doing something stupid, and low. I have a great time at that zoo, its a wonderful place and the staff is very friendly. Those people spend their lives caring for animals who were discarded like mere wrappers. They have very kind hearts and dont make much money for what they do, considering the Austin Zoo is a non profit facility. I highly recommend visiting the zoo and supporting these people and animals! Pros: Everything about this place is wonderful! Cons: It gets too many bad reviews from people who dont know what theyre talking about. more

Yes, this family came out with their chihuahua - passing 2 signs that stated clearly pets not allowed on zoo premises. They stood blocking the entrance while they decided what to do - which prompted me to remind them they had to leave with the dog. The man said he would just leave her in the car (it was a warm day and leaving animals unattended in vehicles is unacceptable and still against the rules of having a pet on the premises). I again stated no, you had to take the dog home. They decided the man would go home and the lady and kids would go to the zoo. In less time than it would take to take the dog home the man is sitting at a table having lunch with lady and the kids. I suspected that the man had decided to leave the dog in the car but asked him where ""Cheesecake"" was. He said, there were some people up the street having a garage sale and he left her with them. Stunned, I asked did you know these people? He said, no but I gave them $5 to watch her. At which point I said, you left her with strangers? You are crazy. And walked off. They then decided to pick a fight with me. I still think it is totally crazy to leave a small dog or any pet for that matter with total strangers. The dog could have become frightened and bit someone or run away or even sold. Yes, they should be humiliated at the way they treat their pet. What kind of message is that to teach the 5 kids? That when your pet is inconvienent - you can dump them somewhere without guilt, shame or worry? Yep, still consider their behavior crazy. more

The most HORRIBLE STAFF, including the Director she is the worst, she yelled and called me and my boyfriend crazy in front of 5 children that we decided to take to the zoo. I always take my dog cheesecake out with us when we go out, and we decided to go to the zoo, and we took cheesecake with us, a sunday afternoon (no garage sales on sunday) and it was about 65% out children had to wear sweaters...as soon as we got there the director came out and with a rude tone told us to leave that we were not to be in her premises with our pet, I asked my boyfriend to take out pet to a near by friend that lives by and sit the dog for us so he did, I went inside and paid for me and the five kids we brought with us, when my boyfriend came back he went inside the zoo, and we sat in one of the picnic tables to have lunch, a few minutes the director asked my boyfriend what he had done with our pet, so we told her that we took her to a neighbors house (our neighbors house) she then started insulting us and calling us crazy for leaving my dog cheesecake with a stranger, the children got scared some of the children started crying, so we told her that we did not appreciate her attitude toward us, and she then yelled that she did not care, that this was her zoo and that she could call anyone names if she wanted to, we asked for our money back because we left right away, and she denied the refund...DO NOT GO THERE ....WORST SERVICE IN MY WHOLE LIFE?I was humiliated in front of our kids.\r YOU KNOW ITS SAD THAT THE DIRECTOR HAS TO LIE ABOUT THE COMMENTS THAT A CUSTOMER HAS ABOUT HER ZOO..AT NO POINT DID WE OFFER ANYONE FIVE DOLLARS TO WATCH OUR DOG, BUT WHO BLAIMS HER SHE NEEDS TO DEFEND HER NAME, EAVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH HER AT HER ZOO. AND ANOTHER THING NO ONE HAS GARAGE SALES AT 5PM ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Pros: NO PROS Cons: RUDE STAFF more

We went to the zoo this past weekend. The staff in the office and on the grounds were very rude to the children and adults. I truly can not believe they are still in business and get this - the director of this facility is the worst of all the staff and she is on the Austin animal advisory committee. I feel bad for the animals. If you are this horrible to people, how can you really take care of animals. Don't go to this depressing, run down, unprofessional zoo. Go to the San Antonio Zoo. I promise you will have a much better time. Cons: rude staff, run down facilities, vending machines not working for drinks more

Beware lady behind the counter has attitude. Very unprofessional and even resorted to name calling. I was with my two children and didn't have enough $ 3.oo short and she wouldn't take my husbands credit card... sent me and my crying children packen' told me it was my fault that I didn't call for more details and that I was mousey Cons: unprofessional, rude more

All the animals are rescued and admission pays for their upkeep. great fun for the 'kids' as you can pick up some chow and feed the animals. A must if you're not into regular zoos where the animals pace their cages and you feel sorry for them. What's sad is that some people think that wild animals are pets - that's how they ended up here. more