Animal Encounters Near Gainesville, FL
Gainesville is home to one of the top veterinary and wildlife research programs in the country, which makes Chase Sanctuary a particularly fitting day trip. Chase is the most unique animal encounters near Gainesville FL. Located 55 miles south in Webster, FL, a 20-acre 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary that follows World Association of Zoos and Aquariums welfare standards, the same ethical framework studied in wildlife and conservation programs at the university level.
Genuinely Wild
For anyone in Gainesville who cares about wildlife beyond the classroom, this is the most meaningful hour's drive you can take.
The Keeper for a Day experience is especially popular with UF students in animal science, biology, and conservation fields, offering a half-day hands-on role alongside experienced animal keepers.
Book Your Experience →Signature Experiences
Discover the encounters that make Chase Sanctuary unforgettable.
Keeper for a Day
$195/person | 9AM-1PM, by appointment
Step into the role of an animal keeper for a half day. Assist with feeding, enrichment, and daily care alongside experienced staff. The most hands-on experience Chase Sanctuary offers.
Book Keeper for a DayLemur & Friends Private Tour
$125/person | Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays at 11AM
An intimate private tour centered on the lemur troop. Get up close, learn about their endangered status, and experience these remarkable primates firsthand. Chase Sanctuary's most popular experience.
Book Lemur & Friends Private TourSunrise at the Sanctuary
$95/person | Saturdays at 9:00AM
Walk through the open-air lemur enclosure with a guide, meeting lemurs, giant tortoises, muntjac deer, wallabies, and other open-air inhabitants at first light.
Book Sunrise at the SanctuaryBook Your Experience Now!
Add-On Encounters
Add-On Encounters (+$75 each)
Sloth / Anteater Add-On
Up-close time with gentle sloths or anteaters -- always on the animal's own terms.
Fennec Fox Add-On
Meet the sanctuary's big-eared, endlessly charming fennec fox. Tiny, curious, and unforgettable.
About Chase Sanctuary
Chase Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife sanctuary in Webster, FL dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of endangered primates and exotic animals.
The sanctuary operates on WAZA welfare standards. Animal interactions are never forced.
Every dollar from your booking goes directly to animal care and conservation. No animals from Chase Sanctuary have ever been sold as pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far is Chase Sanctuary from Gainesville?
A: Chase Sanctuary is approximately 55 miles south of Gainesville -- about 55 minutes via I-75 South to US-301 South into Webster, FL.
Q2: Is Chase Sanctuary appropriate for UF students interested in animal science or conservation?
A: Chase Sanctuary follows WAZA ethical interaction standards and offers the Keeper for a Day experience, where participants work alongside animal keepers in daily feeding, enrichment, and care tasks. It is a popular hands-on experience for students in wildlife, biology, and veterinary fields.
Q3: What makes Chase Sanctuary different from a zoo?
A: Chase Sanctuary is a nonprofit rescue facility, not a commercial zoo. Animals are not purchased for display -- they are rescues and conservation placements. Groups are kept small, guides are experts, and animal welfare dictates whether interactions happen on any given day. If an animal is not comfortable, the interaction does not proceed.
Q4: Can I visit Chase Sanctuary from Gainesville on a weekday?
A: Yes. The Lemur & Friends Private Tour runs Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11AM. Painting With Primates runs Fridays at 3PM. Keeper for a Day is available by appointment on multiple days.
Q5: Does Chase Sanctuary offer group rates for Gainesville university groups?
A: For group arrangements and custom bookings, contact Chase Sanctuary directly through chasesanctuary.org. They accommodate educational groups and can discuss custom scheduling.