Lions and tigers and broncos, oh my! Nevada wildlife is abundant and diverse. But you don’t only have to admire them from afar. Want to get up-close-and-personal with your favorite animals? Here is your guide to family-friendly encounters that will help you get in touch with your wild side.
Education and appreciation
Put on your sunhat and hiking boots and take a walk on the wild side with Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary. Established in 1994, and a scenic 30-minute drive north of Reno, the Ark rescues injured and otherwise non-releasable animals, giving them a second chance at life. The animal caretakers are passionate about conservation, wildlife education, and environmental stewardship as they care for a wide variety of creatures, including cheetahs, lions, tigers, jaguars, bears, wolves, foxes, owls, hawks, invertebrates, and many more.
In addition to standard admission to the park, where you can visit all the animals’ enriching enclosures, hear daily keeper talks, and observe feedings, there are private animal meet-and-greets available for those looking to get a little closer to the wildlife.
Quillber, the North American porcupine, loves to nibble on peanuts… and he;s keen to let visitors participate in feedings. Alternatively, you could take him for a stroll through the park in his favorite ride, a cozy wagon.
If scales are more your speed, book an experience with Jonnie, the 34-year-old desert tortoise, and learn all about him and his fellow reptilian friends, giving him a gentle shell scratch while you’re at it.
Want to be put to work? Roll up your sleeves and book an experience to participate in a training session with Zuri, the African serval, or with Amani and Jabari, the Ark’s two cheetah boys. These sessions come with an education-focused keeper talk about the animals, including how the keepers design and practice enrichment exercises to keep them happy and healthy.
There are additional experiences available with more furry, feathered, or scaly friends.
You may also be familiar with the wild horses that roam the hills and valleys surrounding Reno. While you probably have seen them while driving through Damonte Ranch, Hidden Valley, or Washoe Valley, you can gain an entirely new appreciation by booking a wild horse tour.
The tours are an excellent way to learn the history and nuances of the intricate lives and family dynamics of wild horses in Nevada. Excursions through Sonny Boys Tours offer private, small-group options and are held year-round, in multiple locations throughout Nevada. The most popular choice is Washoe Lake, where you and your group will get an insider’s perspective into the lives of the mustangs.
“Being there, seeing them in their environment, it touches your heart,” Tina Brodrick from Sonny Boys explains. “It helps to build a real appreciation for their lives.”
Family-friendly fun
Put on your overalls and step into farm life with Andelin Family Farm, located in Sparks. Throughout the year, Andelin provides seasonal events and animal encounters.
August is the start of the Sunflower Festival, highlighting the farm’s vibrant 7-acre sunflower field. Additionally, Andelin offers the Adventure Farm with Animal Aces, where visitors can feed and interact with everything from goats and llamas to capybaras, camels, and other farm animals.
If a little less action is more your style, the purrrfect spot to grab a drink and snuggle up with a feline friend is Kitty Kisses Cat Café located in south Reno. The café doubles as a nonprofit organization and boasts a full menu with drinks and snacks. From the café, patrons can peek through a viewing window to the Cat Lounge, a large open space available for booking, where adorable, adoptable cats roam freely. Kitty Kisses Cat Café partners with several rescue organizations, helping to care for cats and find them loving homes.
Kitty Kisses Cat Lounge usually features about 15–20 kitties at a time and can host up to 10 people at a time. A 50-minute session in the Cat Lounge costs about $15, while the Café is free of charge and open to all–-no booking required.
The café is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, to people of all ages.
Making friends and saving lives
If spending time with animals while making a difference sounds appealing, both the SPCA of Northern Nevada and Nevada Humane Society offer opportunities to help homeless pets.
Both organizations run programs where visitors can take an adoptable dog out on an adventure. Through the SPCA of Northern Nevada's Day Tripper program and Nevada Humane Society's Dog Dates program, volunteers can spend time with shelter dogs outside the adoption center, whether that means taking a walk, exploring a local park, grabbing a pup cup, or simply enjoying some quality time together. These outings provide valuable enrichment, exercise, and socialization for the dogs while helping staff learn more about each animal's personality and needs, leading to better adoption matches.
Both organizations also rely on volunteers to support their missions through dog walking, cat enrichment, adoption assistance, housekeeping, special events, and other programs that improve the lives of shelter pets while they wait for adoption.
For those looking for a lower-commitment way to get involved, the SPCA of Northern Nevada's Reading with Rescues program invites participants to read aloud to shelter dogs. Open to ages 4–94, the program does wonders to help dogs relax and build positive associations with people.
"It's like free therapy for both the humans and the canines," says Nayla Garcia, community engagement and volunteer manager at the SPCA of Northern Nevada.
"The tours are very educational. We strive to provide context, history, and a true understanding of the issues wild horses face," - Tina Brodrick
“We truly feel that our farm provides a uniquely interactive place where connecting with nature through animals and crops provides connection and creates core memories,” - Natalie Andelin