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About the Zoo:
DeYoung Family Zoo, located in Wallace, Michigan, offers an interactive and educational experience with a variety of animals. It’s not your typical zoo; instead, it’s a sanctuary and rescue center that provides a loving home for animals in need. The zoo covers a range of species, from large cats like tigers to adorable otters and sloths.
Services:
Animal Encounters:
- Visitors can engage in hands-on experiences with animals like capybaras, sloths, otters, kangaroos, and dingo puppies.
- Trained staff, including zookeepers like Carrie, provide valuable information about the animals and ensure a memorable experience.
- Some encounters may require advance ticket purchases.
Feeding Experiences:
- Guests have the opportunity to feed various animals, including bears, big cats, hippos, and more.
- The zoo provides feeding schedules and allows visitors to purchase items like carrots or lettuce for feeding sessions.
- Staff members offer insights into animal behavior during feeding times.
Educational Tours:
- The zoo offers guided tours where knowledgeable guides share information about the animals, their habitats, and conservation efforts.
- Visitors can learn about the zoo’s mission as a no-kill animal rescue and rehabilitation center.
- Tours may include behind-the-scenes glimpses of animal care facilities.
Animal Shows and Demonstrations:
- Scheduled shows provide entertaining and informative sessions about various animals, their behaviors, and adaptations.
- Demonstrations may include feeding demonstrations with big cats and other carnivores.
- Visitors can witness the natural behaviors of the animals in a safe and controlled environment.
Petting Zoos and Interactive Exhibits:
- Children and adults alike can enjoy petting and interacting with animals like baby goats, chickens, snakes, and even a baby wolf.
- Interactive exhibits allow for close encounters with friendly animals under staff supervision.
- The zoo promotes hands-on learning experiences for visitors of all ages.
Facility Amenities:
- The zoo’s property features spacious enclosures designed to mimic natural habitats.
- Walking paths through wooded areas offer a natural and immersive experience for guests.
- While food is not available on-site, a nearby food stand provides basic refreshments.
Visitor Convenience:
- The zoo recommends arriving early to catch feeding sessions and interactive experiences.
- Hand stamping allows re-entry for visitors who need to return to their vehicles.
- Limited seating areas are available, and visitors are advised to bring snacks and water for a comfortable visit.
Community Engagement and Events:
- The zoo actively engages with the community through events announced on social media platforms like Facebook.
- Special events and educational programs promote conservation awareness and animal welfare.
- The owners, Bud and Carrie DeYoung, are hands-on and dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for guests of all ages.
Directions:
DeYoung Family Zoo is located at N5406 Co Rd 577, Wallace, MI 49893, United States.
Add Review
Ali Winchell
a month agoI have been to zoos across the country, but never checked in my back yard! For it being a small private owned zoo....Honestly it's AMAZING. They're all so hands on with the animals and in exchange you can too!! We got to feed so many animals including farm animals, wolves and coyotes, bears, Asian raccoons, and I think my favorites were the camels and the hippo!!! You get to touch a hippo!!!! It for sure feels NOTHING like you were picturing I promise! Imagine wet faux leather but the whiskers feel soft like cat whiskers! We got the $20 feed bucket plus lettuce and spent close to 2 hours just wandering around feeding animals before we stopped to watch any of the shows! They also held different shows where they would introduce animals to you. We got to meet baby foxes and wolves and also hand feed some bears! Very cool experience! Would go again!!
Brandon Lynxwiler
a week agoThis is for Critter connections which is a separate part of the zoo. Absolutely amazing place to visit. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. You could tell they really love animals and take great care of them. Highly recommend everyone stopping by here.
Gwenevere Mueller
a month agoVisited on a Wednesday around noon and it was surprisingly busy! Parking was very difficult and crowded. The lines were very long and even though it was only 75 degrees, it felt very hot out and there were tons of bugs. The price was really high for what we got to see. I loved the concept but a lot of the cages were empty. Goats and cows are always a hit, especially when you can pet and feed them. One of the employees was also very grumpy and tended to yell at children breaking the rules instead of respectfully reminding them or telling their parents. I'm not sure if I would return.
Samantha G
3 months agoVisited today for the third year in a row and had a nice visit. This is more like a sanctuary than a zoo, in my opinion. The pricing is a bit steep for what they offer. You can’t spend too much time there because of how hot and buggy it is, which will be the case no matter what time of year you go. I always recommend bringing along a wagon or stroller for little ones 5 and under even though it isn’t a large zoo because it’s so easy for the heat to exhaust them! It is not accessible to those who cannot walk uphill, downhill, and in uneven terrain unless you pay extra for the ride on tour. Today we were able to see tigers, bears, coyotes, raccoons, camels, wolves, cows, alpacas, and some other smaller animals. We are still sad that there are no monkeys, horses, lions, or the hippo! The staff is very interactive with guests. They even offer opportunities to hold the baby animals, although the line is usually very long and not worth the wait in the heat. I will say I was super happy that the gift shop had an amazing and affordable selection, with many $1-$3 items.
Christy Senger
a week agoGreat little zoo! Lots of animals close enough to feed! The staff is interested in letting you know all about the animals they have here in their backyard 🦛🦚🦘🐅🐐🦬🐃🥕🥬🌾