Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation & Educational Foundation

We had a great tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. We saw quite a few different animals and they were all very interested in the snacks our guide offered them. The Center is doing a great job rehabilitating injured animals, and, in some cases, returning them to the wild. A number of the animals have a permanent home at the Center. They have ~200 animals in total.
A couple times the coyotes and wolves started howling — quite the experience especially standing right beside one of the coyote cages and watching him. Unfortunately, although the Center has been there over 20 years, they have been recently forced to cut back to only 30 tour days a year due to the complaints from one of the newer neighbors.

This place is great. Not a zoo but a place where animals are rehabilitated and sometimes live out their lives if they can’t be released in the wild. They are only allowed to have visitors certain days, so when you see these offered, jump on it. Its good enough that you might want to plan a trip to AZ just for the days they are offering tours.
The tours last about two hours and are small groups. You will be as close to these animals as you ever will be. Some are AZ natives but many are not. There are bears, wolves, leopards, mountain lions, and many others. I was at the San Diego Zoo a few weeks ago, and this place is so much better. At a zoo half the animals are out-​of-​sight. Here they try to feed them when visitors are there so you see them all. Up close.
Location: Probably around 25 minutes North of the 101 ans Pima Rd exit. There is about 0.5 miles on a dirt road, but its not bad.
This place is all donation supported, with almost all volunteers. Tickets and even t-​shirts are cheaper than you will pay at the zoo, and a better value. These folks have been there for 21 years, but as others have said, neighbors have been complaining about the noise. These are neighbors that moved to the area LONG after the rehabilitation center was there. Dah! Because of the Scottsdale has reduced the days they can have visitors, which has very negatively cut their revenue.
If you want to see some great animals, as close as you ever will, this is the place to visit. You won’t be sorry.

Still one of my favorite organizations! I especially love their full moon tours, and hearing the wolves sing together with the coyotes as backup. Sadly, at a recent donor event I learned that they have a new neighbor that apparently does not appreciate their song. Although this person moved into the middle of the desert knowing SW Wildlife was nearby, he’s apparently complained of the howling to the extent that they now have to close their doors to the public:(To keep my review focused on SW Wildlife, I will refrain from launching into a colorful spiel about what I think of this person.
SW Wildlife will continue to do rescue and rehabilitation of our wildlife, its primary mission, and provide a sanctuary for those in need of a home. They will also continue and perhaps expand their educational outreach offsite. However, beginning in June, there will be no public tours offered any longer. Special events have to now be permitted. I don’t think this is yet noted on their website, so perhaps they have hope. They stand to lose 30% of their revenue because of this. In the meantime, I highly highly recommend seeing this wonderful facility up close by scheduling a tour as soon as possible. Only then will you appreciate their value to our community.

Southwest Wildlife does an incredible job caring for wildlife! Their educational programs are great and they really take great care of the animals! Would highly recommend a trip here to everyone!

Amazing tour! This is a real treat! Very educational and the tours are small in size. Our tour guide was awesome, thank you Robyn. The cost/​donation is more than fair for what you get to learn and see up close & personal! Absolutely loved the experience! Highly recommend!

Great tour and education about the three Rs rescue, rehab and release. Very friendly employees and amazing animals. Worth the trip from anywhere. I hope to volunteer soon!

Bobcats, mountain lions, badass owls, porcupines who beg for bananas with their hands, a sweet old arctic wolf, a rescued leopard and a pack of coyotes big and small make this a very special place. Their mission is commendable and their care is great for those poor animals who humans took from the wild, prohibiting them from ever going back. Humans are the worst, but Southwest Wildlife does a good job helping to pick up the pieces and provide these animals with a happy life and copious snacks (Sundays are Rabbit Day). Highly recommend for anyone in the area.

Called and booked a tour for my family and it was great. Many animals to look at up close and personal. Highly recommended for the animal lovers out there.