Our animals’ welfare is paramount to us and we would not put our animals in a situation where we thought they would become stressed or be likely to suffer an injury. It is for that reason that we have written this policy that is always followed.

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

New animals are introduced to zoo visits gradually. Before attending any zoo visits. The animals are habituated to various factors, such as noise, different places, etc. The animals are taken to different parts of our house; they are taken outside on nice days and we introduce them to new people and staff. Then, once we feel they are ready to attend a zoo visit they are taken on a quiet zoo trip. They aren’t really handled for the first day. After that, they are taken out of their enclosure gradually, and taken to larger events gradually. Eventually they are totally used to all the noise, people, travelling, different smells, etc.

All our animals have been captive bred.

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

Our animals have access to shelter, food and water at all times. Each enclosure has its own hides/shelters suited to the particular species. Each animal should have the option to hide away from the public should it want to. The animals have access to food and water whilst travelling and at zoo 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 if needed.

Our reptiles and invertebrates are always kept warm. Our reptiles are transported and kept in heated plastic boxes. Each box contains a heatmat. The heat mats are switched on during cold days and switched on if necessary, during the warmer summer 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 staff member at all times.

All animal enclosures must be kept closed and locked where possible at all times. Staff must carry out routine checks of the zoo every ten minutes to ensure the enclosures are secure, all the animals are still in their enclosures and are showing no signs of stress, there is enough food and water available, the bedding is clean and dry, there is no damage to the enclosures and no litter has been thrown in the enclosures and.

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 showing signs of stress or illness are not taken on zoo visits.

Any animals missing a feed, are not taken on zoo visits

Our animals are transported in appropriate accommodation. There are stacking hutches in the van, which transport the rabbits, guinea pigs, gophers, meerkats and ferrets. The ducks, skunks and porcupines are transported in large metal-framed crates, the parrots are transported in parrot travel cages and, the reptiles and invertebrates are transported in stacking tanks. The crates and tanks are ratcheted in place to make them secured. The animals have access to food, water, bedding and shelter during travelling.

Emergency equipment is kept in the vehicle at all times: eg nets and spare boxes in the event of an escapee, hot water bottles and gas stove, heat packs, foil blankets, tools, first aids 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 the vehicle cab, explaining where the log is kept. ‘Animals in transit’ signs are placed on the front and rear of the van during transit.

A database for local vets, for each relevant area is carried in the vehicle at all times.

Whilst the majority of staff are attending zoo visits, the private collection of animals
at home is always cared for by at least one full time 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 regularly

The animals at home are health checked once a week, fed and watered at least once a day and cleaned on a regular basis. The animals are kept in large enclosures suited to the species and their requirements.

Petwise Zoo is inspected by the local animal welfare officer and has a good working relationship with the officer.

The proprietor Sarah Green is fully trained and qualified in animal care. She has worked with animals for ten years in a variety of places including farm parks, as block manager for the Chesterfield RSPCA, dog groomer, dog behaviourist and owning her own pet shop selling a variety of animals for five years. Sarah holds qualifications such as: NVQ2 Animal Care, Canine Psychology And Behaviour, HND Animal Behaviour, Exotic Animal Care, Pet Store Management and Health And Safety.

Petwise Zoo holds an Animal Transportation Licence, Performing Animals Licence and £5,000,000 public and employers liability insurance. We have full risk assessments. All these documents are available to view at your request.

Should anyone have any questions or complaints about the animals’ welfare then please contact Sarah on 07525 487458 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it