Ciera O’Rourke – Owner and Manager of Pets On The Green

Fully approved Animal Activity Licensee & Soletrader Business active from July 2025!

Hi, I’m Ciera—an 18-year-old animal enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in breeding, handling, and caring for a wide range of amazing creatures.

What began during lockdown with a single goldfish has grown into a lifelong passion. From turtles to hedgehogs, reptiles to birds, my journey has led me to study Animal Care Levels 1 and 2 (with Distinction *) at Nescot College, take on multiple part-time roles in the animal care industry, and now proudly launch my own business: Pets on the Green.

I’m neurodiverse and proud—and I see it as my superpower. It helps me connect deeply with animals and gives me a unique understanding of the therapeutic benefits animal interactions can have, especially for other neurodiverse individuals.

I have previously gained experience in a various reptile specialist stores, a dog and cat boarding facility, and a grooming salon. This background has given me valuable insight into the care needs of many species.

I hold an official Animal Activities Licence from Tandridge District Council, fully DBS checked and operate with the highest ethical standards and scientific care practices.

A true passion lies with hedgehogs. I’m now a certified ethical breeder, committed to ongoing research into their health and behaviour. I occasionally have beautiful, hand-raised hoglets available for sale—though there’s often a waiting list. If you’re interested in welcoming one into your home, feel free to get in touch.

My mission is simple: to share knowledge, raise awareness, and offer a fun, interactive animal-handling experience for all ages and abilities.

At Pets on the Green you can explore a diverse array of animals and learn all about them. Each of my pets are cherished and loved, and I invite you to experience the joy of interacting with them firsthand.

🌟 A Journey of Passion and Resilience in Animal Management 🌟

I want to share my story—not for attention, but to show others that there’s always a way out, no matter how challenging things may seem.🩷

I’m autistic, and I didn’t receive my diagnosis until Year 9. I’ve found that girls often get diagnosed later because we tend to mask our struggles until we reach a breaking point—something that sadly happened to me. After lockdown, I developed a phobia of school that left me terrified to return and unfortunately I couldn’t go back. This eventually led to a lengthy hospital stay where I met a girl with very similar needs which made me realise I’m not on my own.

At 16, I enrolled at Nescot’s younger unit, where I had a 1-1 teacher. I struggled to cope in a classroom or even in small groups. My journey took a turn when I discovered animal management. Although I initially avoided classrooms, I made a friend who encouraged me to join in, and with time, I found myself attending classes for three years focused on animal care.

I then landed my dream job at a reptile specialist store (Reptile Barn in Epsom), where I made fantastic friends. After leaving college, I decided to start my own animal handling business, and it has been incredible. I’ve been fully booked throughout July and August, running 4-5 experiences a day, and it feels like a dream come true.

I’ve now just turned 19 years (as of July 2025) old and I visit special events and speak in front of groups of over 50 people about the animals I adore—something I never thought I could do. I also have SEN groups for those with similar needs, allowing me to connect deeply with others.

I hope my story inspires children and adults alike to realize that you can overcome your challenges by finding your passion and having supportive parents.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has attended Pets on the Green, and I look forward to meeting even more of you in the future!

Im now mobile in my gorgeous new Volkswagon ID Buzz Van