Pets on the Green
Pets on the Green
166 answers — search it, or jump to a section
Book online. That's the fastest way and it's available any time.
Please message rather than ring. Our working hours are session times, so calls are rarely answered — and a written trail means nothing gets forgotten or misremembered. We'll always come back to you.
No. Bookings are paid in full when you book.
It varies, but school holidays and half terms get busy and book up faster. If you have a date in mind for a holiday week, book early.
Often yes — this week or even tomorrow, if there's a slot. Just ask.
Card online when you book, and the full amount is taken at that point. That is the quickest route and it is available any time.
Schools, nurseries, care homes and local authorities can be invoiced against a purchase order — get in touch rather than booking through the website.
Tell us and we'll do what we can. If there's no session after yours we'll usually run over to give you the full time. If we're fully booked we can't, because the next family is waiting — so the session will be shorter.
That depends how much notice you give. Full details are in our terms and conditions — get in touch as soon as you know and we'll help where we can.
It's very unlikely, because we have back-ups for most things.
If Ciera is unwell, a member of the team runs the session. If an animal needs a vet, another keeper carries on while that's dealt with. If the van breaks down we can travel in another vehicle where it's safe for the animals, or offer your session at the centre instead.
Yes. You'll get a code, and it comes off the price when the recipient books their experience.
Yes — reduced rates for SEND bookings, and discounts on packages and block bookings.
Vouchers are for a value, not a named animal or a named experience. The recipient puts it towards whatever they choose to book.
That is deliberate — it means the voucher still works if an animal is unavailable, or if they would rather do something else entirely.
We send vouchers by email only. You are very welcome to print it out and put it in a card — plenty of people do.
Yes. It comes off the total the same as any other booking.
Yes — that is exactly what a voucher is for. They choose the date themselves when they are ready.
Yes. Either vouchers for people to book themselves, or you book a session directly — here for a group, or we come to you. Tell us roughly what you have in mind and we will work out which is simpler.
Weekends cost more — £25 per person instead of £20, and £22 instead of £18 on SEN sessions.
Bank holidays are charged at the normal rate for whichever day of the week they fall on. There is no separate bank holiday surcharge.
By tier, based on how many are taking part: £250 covers up to 10, £300 up to 15, £350 up to 20 and £450 up to 30.
So you pick the package that covers your numbers rather than paying a headcount. You do not need an exact number when you book — just book the tier that covers you.
No — the full amount is taken when you book.
Schools, nurseries, care homes and local authorities can be invoiced against a purchase order, so if you are booking on behalf of an organisation, get in touch rather than booking online.
There is no refund on the day. The slot, the staffing and the animals were all set aside for the numbers you booked, and by then it is too late to offer the space to anyone else.
If you know beforehand that your numbers have dropped, tell us in time to change the booking — that is exactly what the notice period in our terms is for.
Usually fine, and you can pay for the extra places on the day by cash or card. Please tell us beforehand if you possibly can.
At our centre 10 is a hard limit and we cannot go over it, so extras beyond that are not possible however they turn up.
Mobile private sessions also cap at 10. Parties go up to 30, with more handlers brought along to match — that is what the bigger packages pay for. Either way we need your final numbers in advance, because the staffing depends on them.
No, because we do not offer them. Sessions run between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Evenings are occasionally possible by arrangement — see below.
Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Monday we are closed — it is one of the animals’ rest days.
Sunday the centre is closed. Mobile bookings may be possible by request, because we can sometimes swap the rest day to the Tuesday that week — that cannot be booked online, so message us to ask.
Monday, no — we are closed. Sunday and Monday are our animals’ rest days, two in a row, every week.
Sunday, the centre is closed too, so the family can actually use the garden at the weekend. Centre visits never happen on a Sunday.
Mobile bookings may be possible by request on a Sunday. When we take one, we swap the rest day to the Tuesday that week so the animals still get their two consecutive days. It cannot be booked online — message us and we will tell you whether your date works.
Sometimes, by arrangement, and how late depends on the day.
If we run an evening session we start later that day rather than adding hours onto the end — so we cannot do a morning and an evening on the same day. The animals work one stretch, not two.
Usually yes, as long as the bank holiday does not land on one of our rest days. Worth asking.
Up to two hours can be booked online. If you want longer than that, get in touch and we will talk about whether it makes sense — for most people, and for most children, two hours is already a lot.
All ages. We run plenty of adult-only sessions too — this isn't just for families with young children.
Yes, for all centre visits if anyone in the group is under 16.
For alternative provision, children can be dropped off.
For a birthday party, it's up to the host — they're responsible for looking after the children. Our job is keeping everyone and every animal safe, and encouraging children to take part. We can't supervise children as such.
Minimum 2, maximum 10 at our centre. The minimum is about price rather than people — one person can come, but pays for two places.
For groups near the maximum, two staff are in the room, so it still feels personal and nobody is left waiting.
Everyone attending, whether they handle animals or just watch.
Children under 1 are free if they stay on a lap, in a carrier or in a pushchair.
From their first birthday onwards, a child counts as a place. Little ones need more supervision and more help with the animals, not less, which often means more staff rather than fewer.
Yes, except for alternative provision sessions.
Yes. The adult needs to be 16 or over, and you'd pay the two-place minimum.
Yes, at the full rate — everyone in the room counts as a place.
Yes, if you are 16 or over. The minimum charge is for two places, so a solo visit costs the same as two people — the hour, the room and the keeper are the same either way.
No. Never. Every session at our centre is private — the animal room is yours for your hour.
No other families, no strangers walking through, no group session with people you have not met. It is your group, your keeper and the animals, and that is all.
It is why the minimum charge is for two places: you are booking the room and the keeper for that hour, not a seat in someone else’s session.
Yes, as long as you are within the maximum of 10.
We take one payment for the booking rather than splitting it at our end, so whoever books pays in full and the other family settles up with them.
60 minutes as standard. You can book up to two hours online if you'd like longer — get in touch for anything beyond that.
Your hour is the time in the room. The few minutes we spend collecting you from the front aren't taken off your session. We come out either at your booking time or a couple of minutes before, so if you're on time we usually run slightly over.
Birthday parties are 60 minutes — contact us if you'd like longer.
Press the gate buzzer and wait on the bench in the driveway. A keeper comes out to collect you while everything is got ready.
We walk through the garden to the animal room. Shoes come off at the door if it's your first visit or you don't come often — socks recommended.
First-timers get a walk round each enclosure so you know what's here. Weekly regulars skip that and go straight in.
Then tell us who you'd like to meet. Nothing needs requesting in advance.
It’s your hour, and you can spend it however you like. If your child wants all sixty minutes with the parrot, or one snake, or one hedgehog, that’s completely fine — nobody is moved along. The only condition is that the animal is happy with it too, and we’ll tell you if they’ve had enough.
The rest of the hour is yours — meet, hold, stroke, feed and ask as many questions as you like, at your own pace. Our sensory den is available at any time, no need to ask or book it separately.
If anyone's nervous we never push. We encourage gently, have a laugh, build a bit of trust — and by the end almost everyone who started nervous is handling animals confidently.
It's usually just your keeper with you. For bigger bookings a second team member joins, up to two staff in the room.
At our centre, almost always. Our animals live here rather than being brought in, so the whole collection is in the room whichever day you come.
The exceptions are few: an animal that is unwell, mid-shed or simply having an off day, and babies, which we only have after a litter. Some of our species are also short-lived, so the collection changes over time.
If you are booking specifically to meet one animal, say so in the booking notes. We will tell you honestly before you come whether that is likely, rather than letting you turn up hoping.
On a mobile booking it depends on your 10 species and on the weather — see the animal list.
We have over 70 animals across around 30 species, so you won't meet every single one in an hour — tell us your favourites and we'll make sure you meet them.
How many is entirely up to you. Some people want to fit in as much as possible. Others spend the whole hour with one animal, and that’s just as good a session. Roughly six species is what most people do in an hour, but it’s an average, not a plan.
We never bring an animal out for less than two minutes, and usually around five. Rushing confuses them, mistakes happen and they don't enjoy it — so we fit in as many as we safely can.
At our centre, yes — and you do not need to choose in advance. All of our animals live here, so whoever you would like to meet is already in the room. There is no list to pick from when you book, and nothing to request ahead of time.
First-timers get a walk round every enclosure at the start. Then you simply say who you would like to meet, and we bring them out.
If someone in your group is set on one particular animal, put it in the booking notes anyway. We will make sure you meet them early in the hour rather than running out of time.
Mobile bookings work differently, because we can only bring what travels — there you choose 10 species from over 30 when you book. The animal list shows what travels and what stays here.
Almost everything. A few exceptions:
With this many animals, you won't notice what you can't hold compared with what you can.
Completely fine. There's no pressure to touch or handle anything. They can watch from wherever feels comfortable and we'll encourage gently if and when they're ready.
Also completely fine. They can take a break in our sensory den or step outside the garden room, and come back and carry on at their own pace within your time slot.
Yes — no flash, please.
Yes. There's a sofa for normal seating, beanbags and cushions in the sensory den, and cushions or a stool by the animal handling mat.
At the centre, we say happy birthday and the birthday child picks two stickers at the end instead of one.
At the centre and on mobile visits, the birthday child helps choose which animals come out and in what order, gets to handle them first, and gets first go at special jobs — like feeding live food to the reptiles, which is a real treat.
On a mobile party, the birthday child also gets a handwritten animal-themed birthday card from us, plus either a Pets on the Green pen or keyring.
If you'd like us to sing, just say — we're happy to, but we need telling.
Yes. Film away — just no flash. Sessions are private, so the only people in your footage are your own group.
If it is for a school or college project and you need anything specific, say so when you book and we will make sure you get it.
Please do — we would love it. Tag us and we will usually share it.
Yes. The animal room is indoors, heated and air conditioned, so rain makes no difference to a visit here.
Usually we still run, as long as it is safe to travel and safe for the animals. Animal welfare comes first — if it doesn’t, we will tell you well before your slot.
At our centre, no. The animal room is air conditioned, so a heatwave outside doesn’t affect a visit here.
For mobile bookings it can change a lot. Our van’s air conditioning doesn’t fully reach the back where the animals travel, and we won’t put them through a hot journey. We carry a generator, a fan, cold water and ice packs, and that covers most warm days.
In genuinely high temperatures we will bring only the reptiles and the species that cope with heat — or, if it is bad enough, postpone or refund. That is a welfare decision and not one we will be talked out of.
Yes.
Rarely. Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and Halloween are the usual ones.
Whichever you prefer — your choice, not ours. If we cancel, you are never left out of pocket.
Yes — that is most people who come. Nobody arrives knowing what they are doing, and nothing is expected of you.
No. Never.
We will gently encourage where we think it is right for that person, and we are quite good at reading when that is. But a no is a no, and it will not be tested twice.
Yes, and plenty do. You still pay for the place — everyone in the room is part of the session whether they handle anything or not.
Only if you want to. It is your hour and you choose the order.
Some people want to build up slowly, and some want the snake first to get it over with. Both work.
Of course, and no explanation needed. There is no refund for the unused time, but there is no awkwardness about it either.
Yes, at the normal price. We can’t do a free second go — the slot was held for you and the hour was staffed, whether it went well or not.
Do tell us how the first one went, though. Knowing what was difficult means we can set the next one up differently.
Mostly no. The only genuinely loud animal here is our galah cockatoo, and she is a quiet bird for a cockatoo — she is very rarely loud at all.
If noise is a worry, we have several ways round it: ear defenders you can borrow, our sensory den, which has a sound-proofed fibre optic ceiling and is much quieter inside, and we can give the cockatoo new toys or something to work on so she has something better to do.
Tell us when you book and we will find a way to make it comfortable.
Normal, even lighting throughout — kept low rather than bright. Nothing flashes, nothing strobes, and nothing starts unexpectedly.
The sensory den has a fibre optic ceiling. Tell us if you would rather it was off.
No. Nothing perfumed, no disinfectant hit, and no ammonia. People are usually surprised by how little it smells.
Of course — bring whatever helps. We also keep ear defenders here if you would rather not carry your own.
Tell us when you book and we will work round it.
Some animals live in enclosures in the room and cannot be moved out. Snakes are the usual one, and by far the most common fear we hear about. What we can do is keep them shut, never take them out, and not talk about them — and for almost everyone that is enough.
The spiders are only here at all when the team member who owns them is working and someone has specifically asked to meet them. So if spiders are the problem, you almost certainly will not see one.
For what it is worth, I am frightened of spiders myself. I am fine with them in the room as long as I know exactly where they are and that they are shut in — loose is another matter entirely. So this is not something we will be dismissive about.
Yes, and it happens more often than you would think. Watching is a completely normal way to spend the hour.
Nobody will keep offering, and nobody will make a thing of it.
There's free public parking directly outside. We're on a quiet residential road, so there's almost always space.
With a maximum of 10 people, most bookings arrive in two or three cars and there's plenty of room.
We also have a gated driveway. If you need to park as close as possible for mobility reasons, or you're with someone who might be a flight risk, you're welcome to use it — just tell us in the additional information box when you book, so we can move a car if needed.
We have secure electric gates. Press the call buzzer and we'll open them.
There's a bench in the driveway with a sign — wait there and a member of staff will come and collect you at your session time.
Yes, there's a bench in the driveway.
Bus — Hillbury Road on Westhall Road is about 195m away, a 2–3 minute walk, served by the 403, 409 and 411. The Green stop is about 291m away with the same routes.
Train — Whyteleafe South and Upper Warlingham are both about 1.5km away.
Pushchairs are welcome, but the animal room is about 8m by 4m so space is limited and we can't guarantee you'll be able to move a pushchair freely around it.
We ask that pushchairs stay in one place near where you're sitting, for animal welfare and hygiene — visitors remove outdoor shoes before entering to avoid bringing in contaminants like fox faeces.
If the weather's suitable you can leave a pushchair in our secure private garden. If it's raining or snowing, or the baby is asleep, it can come in with you.
Yes, with some things worth knowing in advance.
There's a large private driveway with access close to the garden room. A portable ramp is set up for the entrance and can be in place before you arrive — please ask in your booking notes.
The entrance is a bifolding garden room door with a small raised threshold, and we have equipment to help get over it.
The room is about 8m by 4m, so wheelchair users can get in but manoeuvring space is limited. We bring the animals to you rather than needing you to move around.
Please mention any accessibility needs in the additional information box so everything is ready when you arrive.
Wifi is available on request. Mobile signal is generally fine, though coverage varies between networks.
Bring them into the animal room with you. It is your room for the hour and there is space to put things down.
There are public toilets on the Green, just across from us — do pop in before your session if you think you might need to. We’re a small setup and don’t have visitor toilets. If someone really can’t wait we will sort it out, but it means bringing you through the house, so please plan around it if you can.
For longer sessions and alternative provision, we’ll arrange access to the house — just ask.
Drinks — you're welcome to bring one in a secure, spill-resistant bottle. Please avoid open cups and slush drinks, as animals may be free-roaming.
Food and cake at the centre — no, sorry. We're not licensed for food, and it keeps things safe and hygienic for the animals.
On mobile bookings it's different. You're welcome to eat, drink and have cake with us — just not while holding an animal. Animals may be free-roaming in the safe area, so nothing can be dropped or left within reach.
Yes — Warlingham village is close by. Flavours Coffee Bar, Village Cafe, Dining at 412 and Scoops Company are all nearby, with more cafés, restaurants and shops around The Green and Limpsfield Road.
Please tell us when you book, especially about severe or life-threatening allergies.
We work directly with animals, their food and their bedding, so we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. We're happy to discuss individual requirements before your session and make reasonable arrangements where we can.
Yes. Hands are always washed properly with soap and water after handling animals. Before handling, we use hand sanitiser, wipes or washing as appropriate.
We use a portable camping sink, emptied, cleaned and refilled daily.
Our animals are carefully selected and handled with safety in mind, but animals are animals and bites and scratches are possible. Everyone is given instructions before handling and we ask you to follow staff guidance.
If it happens, the animal is safely secured and the area is cleaned and treated. The incident is recorded, and we'll recommend further medical attention if needed.
Yes, with supervision. Every interaction is supervised by an experienced member of staff, and suitability depends on the individual child, the animal and what's being done.
Young children are never expected to handle an animal on their own, and animals can be brought to a child rather than the child moving around the room.
You're very welcome. But some animals can carry bacteria such as salmonella, which carries more risk for some people. Reptiles, amphibians and some other animals can carry it even when they look completely healthy.
Please tell us when you book so we can advise which interactions are best. Thorough hand washing with soap and water afterwards is essential, and please don't eat or drink while handling.
Yes, and there's a first aid kit on site.
There's a family pet dog at the property, but it does not enter the animal room and doesn't interact with visitors. You might see it through a window.
It would only need moving if someone had to use the household toilet in an exceptional circumstance — in which case it would be secured first.
Animal welfare always comes first. If an animal isn't fit to take part, it doesn't — we'll substitute another suitable animal or adapt the session. If we can't find a suitable alternative, we'll talk through the options with you.
Some of our species are naturally short-lived. If an animal becomes unavailable before your booking we'll let you know and offer a suitable alternative. We'll never include an animal that's unwell.
At the centre you will meet a wide mix over the session — mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates. For a mobile booking you pick up to 10 species from over 30.
Hedgehogs, sugar gliders, panther chameleons, leopard and crested geckos, royal pythons, a corn snake, a giant Aldabra tortoise, a Bosc monitor, blue-tongued skink, turtles, tree frogs, an African bullfrog, giant African land snails, six kinds of millipede, stick and leaf insects, mantises and beetles.
The plain rundown of what travels, what stays here and what is only around sometimes is on the animal list.
Sometimes. We have hoglets and sugar glider joeys when we've had a litter, but not all year round, and very young ones don't come out for handling.
Ask when you book and we'll tell you honestly what's here — please don't book expecting babies unless we've confirmed it.
Ask before you book. The green bottle blue tarantula and Sazimi's tarantula belong to one of our team, so they're only here on the days she's working, and she doesn't always bring them.
They can be handled and they can travel to mobile bookings. Tell us your date and we'll say whether it's possible.
No — not under any circumstances. Every animal in that room is either a prey species or reacts badly to a predator being nearby, and they can smell a dog long before they see one.
This is not negotiable, and it is about their welfare rather than your dog’s behaviour.
Please talk to us before you book so we can work it out properly with you.
We will do everything we reasonably can. The honest difficulty is that the animal room is full of prey species, and a dog in that room is genuinely stressful for them — so what usually works is finding somewhere safe and comfortable for the dog to wait while you are in the session, rather than turning anyone away.
Ring or email before booking and we will sort it out.
No need — we provide it, along with hand washing between animals.
Yes, supervised, and you will feed at least one animal — almost all of ours can be fed by visitors.
Not every animal every time, though. Some are on strict diets, some have already eaten, and some are on supplements where the amount matters. So we will not promise a particular animal in advance, only that feeding is part of the session.
Yes, if you ask. The insect eaters are fed live crickets and locusts and it is genuinely fascinating to watch.
Just mention it when you book so we can time it with their feeding.
Yes, if they would like to — just ask on the day. Some children get far more out of doing a job than out of holding something.
No. Every animal has its own enclosure, and nothing is ever loose unsupervised.
Animals come out one species at a time, with a keeper, and go back before the next one comes out. That is for their safety as much as yours.
Yes, often. The collection grows and changes, so there is usually something new since your last visit.
Yes. First-time visitors get a walk round every enclosure at the start so you know what is in the room before anything comes out.
Most were hand-reared here. The rest were chosen carefully for temperament and health, and a few came to us as rescues.
Nothing is here because it was cheap or available. Every animal that works with visitors is here because it copes well with people.
Sometimes, in an emergency. If we can give an animal what it needs, it stays. If we can’t, we find it a proper home rather than keeping it badly.
They retire here. They stop doing sessions, they keep their enclosure, and they are looked after for the rest of their lives.
Nothing is moved on because it has stopped earning.
Yes — the moment one stops enjoying it. If an animal starts finding visitors stressful it comes off the list, permanently if that is what it needs.
That is the whole basis of doing this properly. An animal that does not want to be handled is no good to anybody, least of all itself.
Yes, and you are welcome to see all of it before you book.
Every risk assessment is published in full on our compliance page, and certificates are sent on request, usually the same working day.
Charged per journey, not each way.
We bring everything, so you don't need special equipment or power. We just need safe space for the animals and guests, and reasonable access to bring equipment in.
Free parking on site or very close by is essential so we can unload safely.
An indoor space must be available — for bad weather, and for animals that can't safely be outdoors.
Yes, weather permitting. We always need an indoor space available as a back-up — if it's raining we have to be inside.
About 15 minutes each side for a standard mobile party. We arrive 15 minutes before your start time and leave about 15 minutes after the end.
Yes — village halls, church halls and community centres are all fine. Garden parties at home too, weather permitting.
Up to 30 is bookable online. We can do considerably more than that depending on the type of event, the venue, how long, which animals and what it's for — get in touch for a custom quote.
Rather than children being entertained, they get a hands-on experience with real animals brought to them.
Our standard party includes 10 species of your choice from over 30 available, so you build the party around the animals your children are most excited about rather than getting the same fixed selection every time. You can upgrade to 15 species.
There's a real difference between seeing an animal in a book and having one in front of you — the movement, the texture, being able to ask questions while it's happening.
It isn't an animal-themed party. The animals are the party.
No. The hour is the party. We arrive about 15 minutes before to set up and stay about 15 minutes after to pack down, and none of that comes out of your hour.
Yes, and adults get as much out of them as children do — often more, because nobody is pretending to be brave for anyone else.
Come to us in Warlingham, or we come to you at mobile party prices.
Yes. From £250 per hour at your workplace, with at least three of our staff on site.
These work well as a break in a long day rather than an activity people have to perform at.
Yes. Get in touch with your date, venue and rough numbers and we will quote — weddings vary too much for a standard price.
Yes, from £250 per hour, pitched at the age group. We bring everything and lead all the handling; your staff manage supervision.
Yes, from £250 per hour. Tell us what the group is working towards and we will shape the session around it.
Yes, from £250 per hour — both as teaching and as wellbeing sessions during exam periods.
Yes, from £250 per hour. If funding is the obstacle, our funding page covers routes that community groups often do not know about.
Yes. Get in touch with the date, the venue and how long you need us — public events are quoted individually because footfall and setup vary so much.
It's built around the individual child rather than a fixed format. We adapt the pace, the environment, the interaction style and how much handling is involved, and give more time and more choice throughout.
We take account of sensory needs, communication differences, anxieties and phobias.
Allergies, medical or additional needs, sensory requirements, communication needs, phobias, triggers, and anything at all relevant to their welfare or safety.
The more we know beforehand, the better we can build the session around them.
No — every visit is booked and paid for, including a first one.
If you want to see the space before committing to anything longer, book a single session. That is the look round, and you meet the animals while you are here.
Get in touch directly to discuss an educational or alternative provision session, and we'll provide booking and payment information to suit your school or authority. Mobile school experiences can also be booked online.
Risk assessments and insurance documentation are available, along with DBS and safeguarding information, which we'll discuss when arranging your booking.
Usually at short notice, subject to availability. Send us your preferred date, number of children, requirements and location and we'll arrange it as quickly as we can.
Yes, adapted to the age, group size and learning needs of the children.
We prefer to set up in one space with classes rotating to us, though whole class works too. Curriculum links available on request — real skulls, sheds and specimens tied to what's being studied, plus a focus on particular animal groups. Please request in advance.
Whole-school and year-group assemblies are available with a headset mic, either before group sessions or on their own.
A structured, goal-directed programme that uses facilitated interaction with animals to support emotional regulation, confidence, social development and learning readiness.
It is not a petting session, and it is not talk therapy. It is an intentional educational method delivered by a qualified practitioner in a licensed setting, with records kept after every session and a proper review each term.
It can be named in Section F of an EHCP as specialist educational provision, and it is commissionable by local authorities, schools and alternative provision settings. More detail is on the AAI and EHCP page.
Always for animal-assisted intervention and alternative provision. Those are hers and she does not hand them over.
Mobile bookings — always, unless she is ill, in which case another member of the team covers.
Private experiences at the centre are shared between Ciera and the team, so you may have one of the others.
Usually one keeper with you. For bigger bookings a second joins, up to two in the room.
Mobile parties are staffed to the group size — that is what the larger packages are paying for.
Everyone who works unsupervised with children holds an Enhanced DBS check. All other team members working alongside Ciera hold at least a Basic check.
Volunteers who work only with the animals are never on site while visitors are present and have no contact with children.
Everyone is trained here by Ciera before they handle anything in front of visitors. Most also bring their own animal experience, an animal management qualification, or both.
Ask and we will tell you honestly. For private experiences the answer is generally no — the rota is built around the animals and the week rather than around requests.
For ongoing AAI and alternative provision it is different: consistency of person matters there, and that is built in.
Your hedgehog's normal care information — usual food, feeding routine, handling requirements, health information, any medication, and any behaviours or special requirements we should know about.
Please bring enough of their usual food and anything essential to their routine.
As early as you can, especially for school holidays — spaces are limited. We can sometimes take shorter notice. Hoglets bought from us are prioritised.
Yes, when they're available. We prioritise finding suitable homes and making sure you understand the care, housing, diet and long-term commitment involved before a hoglet goes home.
The process involves discussing the hoglet and its requirements, answering your questions, and arranging collection once it's ready to leave.
It depends on the individual hoglet and what's included. Every hoglet comes with the information needed to get started, including care and feeding guidance. Current availability and pricing are provided at enquiry.
Yes. We want our animals in suitable, responsible homes where their welfare comes first, so we'll ask about your experience, housing, diet, daily care and whether you're ready for the long-term commitment.
We will refuse a sale if we have concerns about the home, the care arrangements, or your understanding of what the animal needs.
The animal's welfare comes first. Please contact us before rehoming or selling elsewhere, so we can discuss it and find the right solution.
Where possible we'll take the animal back or help arrange a suitable rehoming.
Everything should be ready before collection — an appropriate enclosure, suitable bedding, a hiding place, food and water provision, heating where required, and the equipment for safe handling and cleaning.
The enclosure should be set up and running before the hoglet arrives, rather than assembled around them. We provide guidance on care, diet and routine.
No — African pygmy hedgehogs only. It is a species we keep, breed and know properly, and we would rather do one thing well than take in animals we are guessing about.
No. One night or three weeks, whatever you need.
No, we provide it — your hedgehog gets their own set-up in our heated animal room, never shared with another hedgehog.
Do bring their food, and something that smells of home if they have a favourite snuggle sack. You are welcome to bring their own wheel.
Yes, and more often if you ask. Photos and how they are getting on — some owners want daily, some would rather hear nothing unless there is a problem. Tell us which you are.
Both things at once: we contact you straight away, and we get them to a vet if they need one. We would not wait to reach you before getting an unwell animal seen.
We are experienced keepers and an ethical breeder, not a veterinary practice, and we would rather act early than be cautious about it.
No. We do not photograph visitors unless you have asked us to, or we have asked you first and you have said yes.
The photos you take on your own phone are yours, and that is how nearly everyone prefers it.
No separate loyalty scheme. Block and package bookings get 10% off standard and 5% off SEN, which is where the saving is for regulars.
Yes, happily — we like it when people stay interested, and children often go home with a question they did not think of on the day.
We are genuinely busy, so keep it to a real question rather than a long list and we will come back to you.
Yes. Have a look at the shop.
Yes please, and thank you if you do. We are a small business and reviews are most of how new families find us — it makes a real difference.
Message or email, or use the booking form. Written is better than a phone call — our working hours are session times, so calls are rarely answered, and a written trail means nothing gets forgotten.
Sometimes the same day, sometimes a few days. There is one person doing the admin alongside running the sessions, so it varies with how busy the week is.
If it is urgent or time-sensitive, say so and it will be picked up sooner.
We try to. Weekends are our busiest session days, so it may be the evening before you hear back.
Yes — same number, 07748 656269.
Coming soon.
No. It's much more personal than that — small groups, close supervised interaction and actually learning about the animals.
Sessions are built around the people attending. We keep groups small so it feels relaxed and individual rather than like a visitor attraction.
We're proud of how we keep it. Every enclosure gets a full clean at least weekly, with spot cleaning once or twice a day, and routines adapted to each species.
Animals naturally have some smell and we work hard to keep it to a minimum. Good hygiene and regular cleaning keep the room comfortable for the animals and for you.
An hour suits most children — enough time to enjoy it without dragging. Every child is different, especially younger children and children with additional needs, so the session adapts to their pace. A short break is completely fine.
Their welfare comes before everything. We know our animals individually and watch their behaviour closely before, during and after every interaction — looking for relaxed, normal behaviour and for any sign that one is uncomfortable or has had enough.
Animals are never forced to take part. If an animal doesn't want to interact, or we don't think it's right for that session, it stays in its enclosure.
Being available for a session doesn't mean an animal has to do it. Their choice comes first.
We understand why people ask, especially seeing a range of exotic species.
Every species has different requirements and we provide appropriate housing, diet, enrichment, environmental conditions and daily care. Interaction is carefully managed and is never more important than the animal's welfare.
We also think responsible, supervised interaction gives children something valuable — a chance to learn about animals properly, understand what they need, and develop respect and empathy rather than seeing them as something to play with.
We're based at a private residential property, but the experience runs from a dedicated garden room, not the family living areas.
The smaller setting is deliberate. It keeps sessions personal, limits how many people are around the animals, and gives a calmer environment where we can concentrate on each animal's welfare.
It also lets us offer what a large attraction can't — small, personal sessions adapted to whoever is attending, including children who need a quieter approach.
Young — I started this not long out of school.
My age doesn't determine the standard of care our animals receive. What matters is knowledge, experience, preparation and responsibility. We take animal welfare seriously and keep developing our knowledge across every species we work with.
Nothing matched that. Try a different word, or just ask us — we would rather you did.
Still not answered? Ask us.
By appointment only — book online, or ask about a Sunday
