Let’s all spread our love for animals through these 10 animal sanctuaries in Houston!
I always have a soft spot in my heart for stray dogs and cats. In fact, whenever I see videos involving the maltreatment of dogs or cats, I would hug my dog, saying sorry to him as if he’s the one receiving the ill-treatment!
All animals deserve to be loved, and they deserve a home! That’s why, we’re lucky enough that kind-hearted people still exist, making these sanctuaries livable enough for these creatures to roam around freely—with enough food, shelter, and visitors too!
So if you’re an animal lover like me, hop on the bus, and let’s get on this little field trip as we visit Houston’s animal sanctuaries.
1. The Good Vibe Farm
Media credit: @thegoodvibefarm
Website: http://www.thegoodvibefarm.com/
Address: 20702 Cypress Rose Hill Rd, Tomball, TX 77377
Contact Details: +1 713-304-2354
You and your kids can tour inside The Good Vibe Farm to see all the rescued animals, such as Shotzi the horse, and Wilbur the pig. Your kids can pet these animals, allowing them to have a direct interaction with them.
You’ll also love that they have an open farm, ensuring that their animals can roam around freely.
We love that their ranch staff is accommodating enough during your stay. They will gladly take your photos as you feed the animals on the ranch.
They also create different activities for kids during your visit, allowing them to have a deeper understanding of how to care for these animals
If you wish to have your parties here, the kids can enjoy the large playground area, complete with a sand pit, trampoline, and a carousel.
| Pro tips: You can avail of The Good Vibe Farm’s private tour, recommended for large groups or families. For professional photographers, you need to secure a photography session at the farm, granting you access to several areas. Your package comes with a farm guide, animal wrangler, and a golf cart. |
2. Figment Ranch
Media credit: @figmentranch_
Website: http://www.figmentranch.com/
Address: 17102 Mueschke Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
Contact Details: +1 713-249-3893
If you want to see alpacas and llamas roaming around freely in a ranch then you should head to the Figment Ranch. Here, the ranch staff will educate you about animal welfare and other opportunities you can take part in caring for the animals around you.
Aside from the alpacas and llamas, you can also feed some farm animals like goats, turkeys, chickens, and pigs, just to name a few.
What’s great about this animal sanctuary is that they have Airbnb rentals onsite. This will allow you to take your time as you explore the ranch and its amenities.
You can even bring your dogs with you so you can let them roam around in your private yard. Even better, your cabin comes with a Wi-Fi connection, and even a washing machine, great if you wish to stay longer in this peaceful place.
Meanwhile, if you plan to celebrate your birthdays here, you’ll love that all your guests will have ample time to play with the animals. There will be a dedicated staff to guide your guest
| Pro tip: Figment Ranch has large conference rooms, making it a nice out-of-office site for meetings and special business occasions. |
3. El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cottage
Media credit: @elgatocoffeehouse
Website: http://www.elgatocoffeehouse.com/
Address: 508 Pecore St, Houston, TX 77009
Contact Details: +1 832-968-3006
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cottage is a cat rescue and a cafe under one roof. Since 2020, this place has been caring for over 40 cats until they find the best people who can adopt and give them a forever home.
What’s great about them is that you can avail of their trial period called the ‘sleepover’. In doing so, you can check if the cat will be comfortable in your place.
Don’t worry as all their cats have updated vaccinations—they also have a chip!
While your kids can roam around the cafe freely, you still need to look after them, especially the younger ones who can get too excited when they see cats.
| Pro tip: If you want a different experience, consider visiting El Gato Coffeehouse & Cat Cottage and join their cat yoga. You’ll get to experience being on the mat with cats roaming around. |
4. Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary
Media credit: @bhcreativedesign
Website: https://houstonaudubon.org/sanctuaries/edith-moore/
Address: 440 Wilchester Blvd, Houston, TX 77079
Contact Details: +1 713-932-1639
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For bird-watching lovers out there, you should not skip a tour at Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary. This place is home to a wide variety of bird species, especially during migration season.
There are several animal sanctuaries that you can find in the area, assigning them to different counties for better management.
While there are walking trails inside this animal sanctuary, jogging or running isn’t allowed to keep their place well-maintained.
If you wish to stay a bit longer, there are benches that you can sit on around the area, or you can bring a picnic blanket with you!
If you’re in a bigger group, specifically more than seven people, remember to schedule your visit in advance with the sanctuary’s staff. This will allow them to prepare and assign a tour guide for you.
Moreover, if you want to catch the birds when they’re most active, plan your visit early in the morning.
| Pro tips: Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary is a huge place so prepare to walk quite a number of steps when you’re here. Additionally, parking is located at the church as no cars are allowed to roam around the neighborhood. Make sure to bring your insect repellants as there are plenty of mosquitoes and other insects in the sanctuary. |
5. TWRC Wildlife Center
Media credit: @hhswildlifecenter
Website: https://www.houstonhumanewildlife.org/
Address: 10801 Hammerly Blvd #200, Houston, TX 77043
Contact Details: +1 713-468-8972
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
TWRC Wildlife has been an animal sanctuary where you can bring injured, sick, or even abandoned wildlife. Here, you’ll mostly find animals such as birds, raccoons, squirrels, and birds.
As you go inside, you’ll see that they also have an educational display of animals, teaching visitors about how to co-exist with these creatures.
During summer, you can let your kids join their baby bird feeding program. Aside from that, there are several summer camp activities that they can join, allowing them to do more meaningful things during their school break.
And if you ever find an animal, you can easily set up an appointment with this animal sanctuary to assist you.
| Pro tip: Consider donating your old newspapers to TWRC Wildlife Center. This animal sanctuary constantly uses newspapers as part of the cages and changes them daily to keep them clean. |
6. Nature Discovery Center
Media credit: @naturediscoverycenter
Website: http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/
Address: 7112 Newcastle St, Bellaire, TX 77401
Contact Details: +1 713-667-6550
Operating Hours: Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Nature Discovery Center is home to bugs, snakes, lizards, birds, and squirrels amid the green spaces.
There are also some hiking trails and even small ponds where you can explore during the day.
You’ll love that their staff is accommodating enough, guiding and answering your kids’ questions about the animals. They also take their time in bringing each animal out of its cage, letting the kids appreciate them up close.
And after some time of interacting with the animals, you can let your children play at the sand pit and playground area inside this animal sanctuary.
You can also rent this place if you wish to celebrate your birthday and be surrounded by animals at the same time. You can even decorate the place to incorporate your theme—just remember, no balloons are allowed!
| Pro tip: To avail of Nature Discovery Center’s free tour, you may consider visiting the place from Tuesday until Thursday, 10 in the afternoon til 12 noon, or from 4 in the afternoon until 6 in the evening. |
7. Houston Mini Pig Rescue and Farm Sanctuary
Media credit: @houstonminipig
Website: http://www.houstonminipigs.org/
Address: 1795 N Fry Rd, Katy, TX 77449
Contact Details: +1 832-409-0063
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
If you want to see rescued pigs in Houston then you should visit the Houston Mini Pig Rescue and Farm Sanctuary. From their first piggy princess, Lulu, this animal sanctuary has grown bigger, mastering how to care for traumatized pigs.
You can take a tour around the area as the dedicated farm staff will educate you about the pigs, meet them, and learn more about their stories.
You can also join their educational talks, allowing you to learn more about pet ownership, focusing on the intricate needs of mini pigs.
| Pro tip: Consider visiting late in the afternoon if you want to catch more engaging and playful mini pigs at Houston Mini Pig Rescue and Farm Sanctuary. |
8. BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions
Media credit: @barc_houston
Website: http://www.houstontx.gov/barc/
Address: 3300 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026
Contact Details: +1 832-395-9084
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is an animal sanctuary you can visit if you wish to adopt, be educated, and even take part in Houston’s animal welfare activities.
If you need to rehome your pets, you can also seek this animal shelter’s help, providing you withthe necessary steps including preparations such as grooming, housing, training, and spaying or neutering.
Meanwhile, if you know someone who has missing pets, you can also tap this animal sanctuary. BARC will gladly assist them through their partner, Petco Love Lost, to help them find their pets during this stressful time.
| Pro tip: Consider bringing your existing pets if you’re trying to adopt a new one from BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions. This will allow them to interact, assessing if they can get along well. |
9. Brave Bully Rescue
Media credit: @bravebullyrescue
Website: https://bravebullyrescue.org/
Address: 612 Canino Rd. Houston, TX 77076
Contact Details: 281-999-3191
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Brave Bully Rescue is a non-profit animal sanctuary that cares for the bully dog breeds. They’re actually a rescue group that shares their common love for bully breeds, sharing their knowledge and debunking misconceptions about the said breed.
What’s great about them is that they also rescue bully puppies. They also take their time in searching for pitbulls who are already on their death row, saving and caring for them instead.
If you’re a bully dog lover instead, the group allows adoptions. They will also take their time in educating you about the proper care, including teaching your new puppies basic obedience training.
| Pro tip: If you’re not ready to adopt, Brave Bully Rescue allows foster care. This will allow you to care for the dog while waiting for their new fur parents, while you help the animal sanctuary free up the space for new bully dogs waiting to be rescued. |
10. Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary
Media credit: @tigercreekanimalsanctuary
Website: http://www.tigercreek.org/
Address: 17552 FM14, Tyler, TX 75706
Contact Details: 281-999-3191
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary is home to endangered species, allowing them to preserve their natural ecosystems. So if you’re curious about this, there are available educational tours and even group learning at this animal sanctuary.
What’s great about them is that you can join their internship program where you can learn how to clean animal enclosures, prepare their meals based on their specific diets, and even assist with their educational tours.
You’ll get a chance to take care of tigers, lions, pumas, and bobcats, enhancing your skills in dealing with native wildlife.
| Pro tip: When you’re inside the Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, remember to keep your voice low and keep your body movements to a minimum as these animals are known to be sensitive to loud noises and sudden or big movements. |
