Austin Zoo

08/05/2008 Posted by benten

The Austin Zoo needs support from our community. It could be a wonderful place if it had some support- money, volunteers. If you go expecting a zoo experience like a well funded zoo can give, stay at home. But it is the kind of place your kids ( 8 and up ) can go explore. I have not encountered rude staff, I was well treated and have enjoyed my visits there. I hope more people will decide to give the Austin zoo more support.

03/26/2008 Posted by TXFamily

This zoo has the rudest staff I've ever come in contact with. We've taken my family to several zoo's, some big-some small, but never have we experienced staff that acts as if they hate the patrons who help support them. As for the comments regarding the man who paid a family to watch thier chihuaua(sp?) while they were in the zoo since they found upon arriving that pets weren't allowed: what a GENIOUS idea! And, it amazes me how that is NO ONE'S business! I'm sure if that man was compelled enough to love his pet to bring along on a family trip to the zoo, he wouldn't have left it in danger. Strangers are allowed around the animals in the zoo daily. Get over it and mind your own business. Gas is expensive, and the kids would have been disappointed, and the dog was left with a family down the street from the zoo-AND? Get over yourselves. This zoo needs an immediate and thorough staff makeover.

Pros: Animals are there and alive

Cons: Staff in incredibly RUDE

02/19/2008 Posted by jathmpsn

I keep reading negative reviews for this zoo that typically involve a bad train ride and bad stroller terrain. I have no kids and thus strollers are no issue of mine, but for the people complaining about the train, be aware that the train ride is not actually affiliated with the zoo; it's separately owned, and the profits do not go to the animals. I love this place. They do great work for animal rehabilitation and still keep the place looking nice and, yes, while the San Antonio Zoo is larger and more elaborate, bear in mind that the Austin Zoo is essentially running a charity for abused animals. I found the staff friendly, the country setting pleasing, and the entire trip a fantastic one. A flock of free-roaming peacocks helping themselves into the bear's den was especially amusing.

Pros: Noble Cause, Great Setting

Cons: None

11/22/2007 Posted by shaunaluan

What they do for the animals is wonderful. It's a great place for a birthday or picnic. However the staff was un friendly, didn't even look at us while they took our money. The train lasted about 10 minutes and showed not much of anything for a very high cost amount. I understand needing money for the zoo but come on 10 bucks almost for our small family to ride a short train, when we starting having fun it was over. The food and feeding animals is great. Bring insect spray for your arms and children and only a jogging stroller, normals will be horrible to get around.

Pros: Animals not found in other zoos, feeding and touching animals, good picnic areas

Cons: bad parking, costly train ride, bad for normal strollers, un friendly staff

09/07/2007 Posted by gimlet027

I was there for that! I witness the whole thing! That man DID leave his dog with some random people up the street, he is insane. I would never leave a part of my family dependant on me with complete strangers and I would NEVER settle on leaving them in the car on a hot day either. The director, who was the person who previously replied is being nice about the whole thing in her response. It was a very hot day and the man was a total moron. I cant believe he would bash all staff because he got caught doing something stupid, and low. I have a great time at that zoo, its a wonderful place and the staff is very friendly. Those people spend their lives caring for animals who were discarded like mere wrappers. They have very kind hearts and dont make much money for what they do, considering the Austin Zoo is a non profit facility. I highly recommend visiting the zoo and supporting these people and animals!

Pros: Everything about this place is wonderful!

Cons: It gets too many bad reviews from people who dont know what theyre talking about.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

02/15/2007 Posted by janlu

Yes, this family came out with their chihuahua - passing 2 signs that stated clearly pets not allowed on zoo premises. They stood blocking the entrance while they decided what to do - which prompted me to remind them they had to leave with the dog. The man said he would just leave her in the car (it was a warm day and leaving animals unattended in vehicles is unacceptable and still against the rules of having a pet on the premises). I again stated no, you had to take the dog home. They decided the man would go home and the lady and kids would go to the zoo. In less time than it would take to take the dog home the man is sitting at a table having lunch with lady and the kids. I suspected that the man had decided to leave the dog in the car but asked him where "Cheesecake" was. He said, there were some people up the street having a garage sale and he left her with them. Stunned, I asked did you know these people? He said, no but I gave them $5 to watch her. At which point I said, you left her with strangers? You are crazy. And walked off. They then decided to pick a fight with me. I still think it is totally crazy to leave a small dog or any pet for that matter with total strangers. The dog could have become frightened and bit someone or run away or even sold. Yes, they should be humiliated at the way they treat their pet. What kind of message is that to teach the 5 kids? That when your pet is inconvienent - you can dump them somewhere without guilt, shame or worry? Yep, still consider their behavior crazy.

02/06/2007 Posted by angelnaye

The most HORRIBLE STAFF, including the Director she is the worst, she yelled and called me and my boyfriend crazy in front of 5 children that we decided to take to the zoo. I always take my dog cheesecake out with us when we go out, and we decided to go to the zoo, and we took cheesecake with us, a sunday afternoon (no garage sales on sunday) and it was about 65% out children had to wear sweaters...as soon as we got there the director came out and with a rude tone told us to leave that we were not to be in her premises with our pet, I asked my boyfriend to take out pet to a near by friend that lives by and sit the dog for us so he did, I went inside and paid for me and the five kids we brought with us, when my boyfriend came back he went inside the zoo, and we sat in one of the picnic tables to have lunch, a few minutes the director asked my boyfriend what he had done with our pet, so we told her that we took her to a neighbors house (our neighbors house) she then started insulting us and calling us crazy for leaving my dog cheesecake with a stranger, the children got scared some of the children started crying, so we told her that we did not appreciate her attitude toward us, and she then yelled that she did not care, that this was her zoo and that she could call anyone names if she wanted to, we asked for our money back because we left right away, and she denied the refund...DO NOT GO THERE ....WORST SERVICE IN MY WHOLE LIFE…I was humiliated in front of our kids. YOU KNOW ITS SAD THAT THE DIRECTOR HAS TO LIE ABOUT THE COMMENTS THAT A CUSTOMER HAS ABOUT HER ZOO..AT NO POINT DID WE OFFER ANYONE FIVE DOLLARS TO WATCH OUR DOG, BUT WHO BLAIMS HER SHE NEEDS TO DEFEND HER NAME, EAVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH HER AT HER ZOO. AND ANOTHER THING NO ONE HAS GARAGE SALES AT 5PM ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Pros: NO PROS

Cons: RUDE STAFF

10/23/2006 Posted by buster214

We went to the zoo this past weekend. The staff in the office and on the grounds were very rude to the children and adults. I truly can not believe they are still in business and get this - the director of this facility is the worst of all the staff and she is on the Austin animal advisory committee. I feel bad for the animals. If you are this horrible to people, how can you really take care of animals. Don't go to this depressing, run down, unprofessional zoo. Go to the San Antonio Zoo. I promise you will have a much better time.

Pros: none

Cons: rude staff, run down facilities, vending machines not working for drinks

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/12/2005 Posted by briana420

Beware lady behind the counter has attitude. Very unprofessional and even resorted to name calling. I was with my two children and didn't have enough $ 3.oo short and she wouldn't take my husbands credit card... sent me and my crying children packen' told me it was my fault that I didn't call for more details and that I was mousey

Cons: unprofessional, rude

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/09/2002 Posted by amysuehere

All the animals are rescued and admission pays for their upkeep. great fun for the 'kids' as you can pick up some chow and feed the animals. A must if you're not into regular zoos where the animals pace their cages and you feel sorry for them. What's sad is that some people think that wild animals are pets - that's how they ended up here.