Rescued tigers, lions and cougars will get pumpkins to bat, bite and demolish Saturday at In-Sync Exotics in Wylie.
The nonprofit big-cat sanctuary at 3430 Skyview Drive holds its annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Toss on Nov. 7. Gates open at 11 a.m., according to the sanctuary's event page. The cats receive their pumpkins at 2 p.m.
Staff and volunteers place pumpkins inside the big cats' habitats as enrichment, first reported by The Wylie Times. The animals investigate, pounce and chew the gourds, giving visitors an up-close look at their strength and agility.
Admission is $17 for adults, $12 for children ages 4–12 and seniors, and free for children under 4. All proceeds go directly to the care of the sanctuary's rescued exotic animals, according to the event page.
More than pumpkins
The festival includes vendor booths with local artisans, a raffle running from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and an online auction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids' activities include face painting, games and a bounce house. Food options include hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soda.
In-Sync Exotics houses animals that arrived from private owners, roadside attractions and other situations where they could no longer be safely kept, The Wylie Times reported. The animals are not releasable into the wild. Most were too young or too socialized to survive independently when they arrived, and the sanctuary provides permanent, professionally managed care.
The sanctuary noted that all activities are subject to change based on the animals' comfort and welfare.
If you go
What: In-Sync Exotics Fall Festival and Pumpkin Toss
When: Saturday, Nov. 7. Gates open at 11 a.m. Pumpkin Toss at 2 p.m.
Where: 3430 Skyview Drive, Wylie
Cost: $17 adults; $12 ages 4–12 and seniors; free under 4
Info: insyncexotics.org
