My First Assignment: Why I'm Planning a Trip to the Philadelphia Zoo

As a new team member of My Crazy Cat Life, my first official assignment was to research the Philadelphia Zoo, also known as one of the coolest destinations for cat lovers. I’m currently sitting on my couch planning the next time I'm on the east coast to go to the Philly Zoo. 

I have to admit I am usually not the biggest fan of zoos. I always feel bad for the animals and they make me sad (can you tell I love animals). But this zoo is a big cat sanctuary with an amazing rehabilitation center. They have a special exhibit called Big Cat Falls and instead of the cats being stuck in one enclosure, they have Zoo360 overhead walkways that connect different habitats. 

This exhibit has African lions, Amur tigers, snow leopards, jaguars, and pumas. Basically almost every big exotic cat you can think of. I love that this zoo isn't just an animal in their basic exhibit, but thoughtfully designed so the cats can explore. You can tell that the animals are cared for and happy. The zoo also rotates the cats for enrichment, so they aren’t kept in the same spot for too long. 

Many of these cats are endangered or near-threatened, so the zoo participates in global breeding programs, educational efforts, as well as rehabilitation programs.

Now I completely understand why people rave about this zoo and why it's a must-see for cat lovers. It feels less like a typical zoo and more like a massive sanctuary where these animals get to thrive. So yeah, excuse me while I plan my trip to Philly to experience these big cats in real life. 

And of course, as I am writing this with my sassy cat next to me and a cup of coffee on the table, it feels like the perfect moment to link my favorite coffee cup, The "Keep Going" Mug!