For three long years, Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary has had to close its doors — first due to COVID, then after being hit hard by Hurricane Ian. However, under the leadership of owner Lauri Caron, volunteers persevered through long, hard days to care for the more than 120 animals in her charge. It was business as usual behind the closed gates until it was deemed safe to bring the public back to visit.
Octagon has now reopened for guided tours. Visitors will leave with a new perspective and educational experience as guides stop at each animal and explain where it came from and why it was brought to the sanctuary. They also include personal experiences while volunteering and offer interaction with some. It’s a great, memorable experience for all ages!
Founded in 1978, Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is the forever home to discarded and often mistreated and unwanted exotic “zoo-type” animals that have been confiscated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture (both federal and state offices), or other law enforcement agencies. Many of Octagon’s animals have come from overcrowded facilities, breeding facilities that have shut down, private owners without proper licenses, or by well-meaning people that thought it was a good idea to buy an exotic animal, only to realize they couldn’t properly care for it.
Though Octagon takes in zoo-type animals, it is not a zoo. These animals come from many generations of being born, raised, and sold in captivity to be a “pet” or used in a business. None of the animals have been taken out of the wild. Zoos will not care for these animals due to their physical and or mental conditions. Octagon does not breed, buy, or sell any animals.
The Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity and operates on donations, grants, fundraisers, and generous donors. Much of the food and supply is donated by three Target locations (Fort Myers), Winn Dixie (Fort Myers), Publix (Punta Gorda), and Cheney Brothers (Punta Gorda). The food donated is not for human consumption but is still quite good for the animals and is inspected before it’s fed to any of them.
Regardless, Octagon’s expenses exceed $15,000 per month. The sanctuary is not supplemented by any federal or state government agencies; therefore, it solely relies on donors and the surrounding communities for support. Volunteers are always needed, as well as donations. To donate, see http://www.octagonwildlife.org/donations.
The sanctuary’s mission is, “To provide a safe haven for exotic zoo type animals and to ensure they live out their lives in a healthy, stress free, clean, and loving environment.” Octagon is a “must see” to experience a true sanctuary and to see how happy and content the rescued residents live out the rest of their lives.
To book a tour online, see http://www.octagonwildlife.org and select “Reservations.” See for yourself why Octagon is “The Wildest Retirement Home in Punta Gorda!”
Octagon is located at 41660 Horseshoe Road, Punta Gorda, directly across the street (State Road 31) from the main entrance of Babcock Ranch.
