Random Best Vacation Spots for Animal Lovers (20 items)

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  (#1) Pig Beach

  Though you'll quite possibly never eat bacon again, a trip to Pig Beach in the Bahamas is without a doubt the coolest place to go hog wild in the Bahamas. In short, its exactly what you hope it is: a beach where whole communities of adorable local, swimming pigs love hitting the waves and interacting with tourists!
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  (#2) Inverness-shire

  • United Kingdom

  Want to hang out in an environment that makes every scene in 101 Dalmatians look like chump change? Then check out this yearly golden retriever festival, hosted by The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland! The event includes dinner, dancing, dog shows, and more little golden guys and gals that you can shake a stick at.
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  (#3) Manitoba

  • Canada

  If you can't get enough of polar bears then you won't be disappointed if you bring it on up to Manitoba, Canada this fall! Each year, during the fall migration, the area ends up hosting the largest unofficial polar bear convention in the world.

  Wanna get up close and personal without becoming a tasty snack? Just book your stay aboard the Tundra Lodge, a huge rolling hotel which constantly repositions to give you the best possible view of your new polar pals.
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  (#4) Elephant Nature Park

  • Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

  If you've always dreamed of making a big difference, you can make one for some of the biggest boys around at Thailand's Elephant Nature Park. The park provides a sanctuary for elephants, many of which have been injured, orphaned, blinded, or abused as working animals. They even offer hands-on volunteer opportunities, where you can sign up to help bring joy to some of the biggest buddies you'll ever have.
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  (#5) Chill with a Cheetah at South Africa's Cheetah Outreach

  If you like kitties of the larger variety, check out the volunteer program at Cheetah Outreach in South Africa. The organization works to increase awareness and promote the survival of the gorgeous endangered cats in their huge outreach center, where they even occasionally breed more of the beautiful animals. Not only is it a great place to visit, the center also welcomes volunteers from all over the world, who are invited to work with and enrich the lives of the big kitties who live at the facility.
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  (#6) Live 8-Year-Old You's Dreams with a Visit to See the Chincoteague Ponies

  Okay, so if you've never been a horse-loving elementary school girl, this may not come as the hugest of revelations, but tell the nearest girl that the book Misty of Chincoteague is based on a true story and watch what happens. The squeal of glee you'll likely get in response is due to the book's setting, a magical island called Chincoteague, where herds of stunning wild ponies have roamed freely for hundreds of years. If you're a horse lover, you too can enjoy their beauty by visiting the island, which is actually right over the fence from Virginia.
  
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  (#7) Take a Shelter Dog on a Day Trip in Hawaii

  If you're a dog lover, cash in on the unique opportunity to help one in need the next time you find yourself in Hawaii. The Kauai Humane Society allows visitors to take the shelter pooches out on day trips while they're all decked out in their custom made "adopt me" vests.

  Not only will they get to spend the day having a blast with you in paradise, they'll also be advertising their availability to potential fur-parents. The society is also set up to help you get the little guy back to the mainland if you fall in love and decide to adopt.
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  (#8) Make Friends with Manatees in Florida

  As one of the chillest sea creatures around, manatees are kind of like the Buddhas of the ocean and can still be found in the wild in the state of Florida. If you'd like to go on a manatee viewing expedition, check out a great research on the Save the Manatee Club website. The club not only has all the info you'll need on the big guys but also a list of their favorite hang-outs so you can visit them in their native habitat.
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  (#9) Meet This Adorable Creature Is at the Phillipine Tarsier and Wildlife Santuary

  This adorable, Gremlin looking little dude is called a tarsier and if you're ever in the Philippines, you can meet him up close and personal at the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella.

  Native only to the Philippines, the tiny primates are incredibly shy, so staff are constantly on hand at the Sanctuary to guide guests along tours, which they make sure to keep respectfully quiet and incredibly gentle. Along the route you'll see the adorable little dudes enjoying their large, free-roaming environment, set up to make them feel right at home.
  
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  (#10) SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary

  Want to see the beautiful creatures that call South Africa home without risking patronizing a safari company that's less than animal friendly? Check out SanWild Wildlife, a non-profit animal rehab and rehabilitation center that takes in injured, orphaned, or sick animals and gives them a safe place to recover before returning to the wild. They even have campgrounds for overnight visitors, in case you want to spend the night listening to the calls of the wild.
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  (#11) Nara Park

  • Japan

  If you've always thought of deer as skittish creatures, you'll think again after a trip to Nara Park in Japan. The park is home to over a thousand free-roaming deer who are not only friendly, but love to be fed by park guests. Don't worry if you forgot your deer treats however, there are plenty of vendors around the park who sell crackers to feed your new pals.
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  (#12) Ōkunoshima

  If you or anyone you know is a bunny lover, you've just gotta see Ōkunoshima, Japan. A real life rabbit paradise, Ōkunoshima is an island where bunnies are as plentiful as pigeons and hunting and dogs are outlawed. The whole place is kind of like the North Pole for the Easter Bunny...and his 2,356,821 kids.
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  (#13) Make a Cow's Day at The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA

  Not enough livestock in your life? Bring it on over to The Gentle Barn, a Santa Clarita, CA sanctuary that rescues and takes in abused farm animals. Once they've relocated to the Gentle Barn and readjusted to their new lives, the animals get plenty of love from visitors who are invited to hug cows, feed horses, cuddle turkeys, or even give a pig a belly rub!
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  (#14) Bifengxia Panda Base

  Think it'd be awesome to hang out with Giant Pandas all day? It would be, and you totally can, through the Panda Volunteer Program at Bifengxia Panda Base in China (they have other locations as well, if the Bifengxia location is under construction). For a small fee, you can sign up to volunteer and help staff take care of a group of the country's biggest cuddle bugs. You'll join trained panda experts as you help feed, clean up after, and shower the big guys with love.
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  (#15) Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

  • Arcadia, California, USA

  Whatever it is that attracts pretty people to Hollywood, it turns out that not even birds are immune to it. So the next time you find yourself in Los Angeles, be sure to drop by the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia. Not only does it boast an impressive free-roaming peacock population, it also features over 100 acres of flowers, ponds, and all things pretty.
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  (#16) Vatican City

  • Europe

  Believe it or not, one of your best connections to the Pope might actually be your four-legged friend! Every year, The Vatican holds an annual blessing of the animals ceremony, inviting folks from around the world to bring their pets for a head scratch and blessing from none other than His Holiness. Be sure to check it out even if you don't have your own pet in tow however, as scores of other dogs, horses, chickens, and other animals regularly show up to take advantage of the free blessings!
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  (#17) Jigokudani Monkey Park

  • Japan

  The steamy springs of Japan's Joshinetsu Kogen National Park have no bigger fans than the large colonies of Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, who visit them each evening. You see, the little guys feel there's no better way to unwind after a long day than enjoying a dip one of in the park's many natural hot tubs. The little guys don't even mind visitors sneaking a peek at them as they relax in the streams before retiring to the forest to hit the hay.
  
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  (#18) Meet the World's Happiest Monkey's at Thailand's Annual Monkey Festival

  If you're mad about monkeys then you've just got to check out the annual Monkey Festival in Thailand's Lopburi Province! The area is home to thousands of monkeys who are treated like primate royalty each year with a huge festival where they dine on fruits, vegetables, and anything else their little hearts desire. In addition, there's also plenty of music, dancing, games, and monkey costumes galore!
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  (#19) Marshall Islands

  • Oceania

  Have you always suspected that the shark in Jaws was merely misunderstood? Ask his distant relatives first hand as you swim with the sharks in Marshall Islands, FL! There you'll find the World’s Largest Shark Sanctuary where you can enjoy the beauty of the ocean that hides beneath the waves.
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  (#20) Pushkar

  • Rajasthan, India

  If you're in the mood to go crazy with camels, check out the Pushkar Camel Fair, held each November in Pushkar, India. One of India's highest ranking travel experiences, the festivals honors- you guessed it - camels, which play an intricate part in the country's culture. Each year over 11,000 camels, horses, and cattle show up to enjoy the celebration, during with the camels are decked out in gorgeous camel attire, in hopes of winning the annual camel beauty contest.

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