Animal Welfare

Our animals welfare is paramount to us. We would not put our animals in a stressful situation or in a place where are they are likely to incur injuries. It is for that reason we have written this welfare statement:

 

Our animals are never taken on more than four consecutive zoo visits. We have several of each animal in our care, allowing us to rotate the animals on zoo visits. For example, if we were to take a corn snake on three visits, then returned home, that corn snake would remain at home for at least two weeks before she would attend any moer visits.

 

New animals are introduced to visits gradually. Before attending any visits the animals are habituated to various factors, such as noise, different places, etc. The animals are introduced to different pepole and staff. Then, once we feel they are ready, they are taken on a quiet, local visit. They aren't really handled on the first visit. After the first visit, they are then taken out of their enclosure, handled and displayed gradually and taken on larger, further a field visits gradually.

 

All our animals have been captive bred.

 

Our animals are only taken out of their enclosure to be handled at set times or at regualr intervals. Handling the animals too much would cause unneccessary stress, which could lead to a lower immune system or cause some species to stop eating. The animals are never handled for more than ten minutes at a time. They are then put back in their enclosure and left for at least one hour before being handled again. Usually the animals are only handled two-three times per visit.

 

Our animals have access to shelter, food and water at all times. Each enclosure has its own hides suited to the particular species. Each animal should have option to hide away from the public. The animals have access to food and water whilst travelling and displayed at visits.

 

All animals have appropriate bedding. The bedding allows the animal to keep warm, hide in the shade on hot days and also shy away from the public.

 

Our reptiles and invertebrates are always kept warm. Our reptiles are transported and displayed in large heated plastic boxes. Each box contains a heatmat. The heatmats are switched on during cold days and switched off if neccessary, during the warmer summer days. Infrared heat lamps are also used during cold days.

 

Our animals are always supervised and handled by fully trained members of staff. One member of staff can only have two animals out of their enclosure at any one time. The animals must always be supervised by a member of staff whilst out of their enclosure. The zoo must always be supervised by at least one member of staff at all times.

 

All animal enclosures must be kept closed and locked at all times. Staff must carry out routine checks of the zoo every ten minutes to ensure the enclosures are secure, conduct an animal headcount, check the animals for signs of stress, ailments, check the animals' food and water, bedding is clean and dry, there is no damage to the enclosures and no litter has been thrown in.

 

If an animal is showing signs of illness they must be treated or taken to a veterinary surgery if needed immediately.

 

Any animals showing signs of stress shall be removed from public view, into a calm, dark place immediately.

 

Any animals missing a feeed (eg snakes), are not taken on visits.

 

Our animals are transported in appropriate accommodation. There are stacking cages in the van, which transport the majority of the mammals and poultry. The parrots are transported in small travel cages. The reptiles are transported in stacking plastic boxes and the invertebrates are transported in their own tanks. Any stacking equipment is ratcheted in place to make them secure. The animals have access to food, water and shelter during transit.

 

Emergency equipment is kept in the vehicle at all times. This includes a net and spare boxes in the event of an escape; hot water bottles and gas stove, heat packs, first aid boxes (human and animal), etc.

 

All members of staff must carry a radio and hand wash on their person at all times whilst the zoo is open to the public.

 

A log is taken of all the animals in transit and kept in the glove box at all times. A sign is placed in the vehicle cab explaining where the log is kept. 'Animals in transit' signs are displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.

 

Whilst staff are attending zoo visits, the private collection of animals at home are always cared for by at least one live-in fully trained member of staff.

 

All staff under go a thorough training induction before attending any zoo visits.

 

A high quality disinfectant is used to clean all enclosures and mobile equipment regularly.

 

The aniamls at home are health checked once a week; fed and watered daily; and enclosures cleaned regularly. The animals are all kept in large species specific enclosures.

 

The Wild Animal Centre is inspected by the local animal welfare officer, whom they have a good working relationship with.

 

The proprietor, Sarah Potter, is fully qualified in animal care. with over thirteen years experience of working with animals, her certificates and qualifications include: NVQ2 Animal Care, Canine Psychology And Behaviour, A Level Biology, Exotic Animal Care certificate, Pet Store Management certificate, Health And Safety certificate. Her career has involved working on a farm park, the RSPCA, dog groomer, pet shops, qualified animal behaviourist, owning her own pet shop and now owning a private animal collection. Please see Sarah's Bio for more info.

 

The Wild Animal Centre holds £5m public liability, animal transportation license, performing animal license, full risk assessments and has CRB checked staff.

 

Should anyone have any questions or comments about the aniamls' welfare, then please contact Sarah on 07525 487458 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.