About Cat Tales Wildlife Academy

Hands-on wildlife training within a working wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo in Mead, Washington.

Real-World Learning Environment

Cat Tales Wildlife Academy is located on a four-acre wooded site north of Spokane, Washington, within Cat Tales Wildlife Center — a working wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo. Students train in an immersive environment designed to support practical learning, animal observation, and professional skill development.

Most training takes place outdoors within the Wildlife Center grounds, where students gain hands-on experience in animal care, behavior observation, facility operations, and conservation education.

Instruction is conducted both throughout the wildlife facility and within the main support building, which includes:

  • computer and animal records areas
  • dietary preparation areas
  • natural history learning space
  • multi-purpose instructional areas

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Facility Features

Students train within a functioning zoological environment that houses large carnivores, native wildlife, and rescued animals requiring long-term care.

Facility features include:

  • reception and administrative area
  • student break room
  • accessible restrooms
  • parking
  • animal care support areas
  • wildlife exhibits designed for observation and learning

The Academy maintains small class sizes with a maximum of 10 students, supporting individualized instruction and a 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

Accessibility & Safety

Cat Tales Wildlife Academy is an ADA-accessible facility with ramps and accessible restroom facilities.

Audio and video surveillance systems are used throughout the property to support:

  • animal welfare
  • student and staff safety
  • facility security

Training activities are conducted within established protected contact and safety protocols appropriate to the species involved.

Licensing & Oversight

Cat Tales Wildlife Academy is licensed by the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Cat Tales, Inc. holds a USDA Class C Exhibitor License under the Animal Welfare Act.

Cat Tales Wildlife Center operates under Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife oversight for native species and wildlife placements.

Cat Tales, Inc. is a Washington nonprofit corporation operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.