Here at Clare's Critters we know how important it is to find the right person to care for your beloved pet or to deliver the best experience for your party or event.  Hopefully these questions will reassure you that we are indeed the right people for you.  If there are any questions not featured here or you require more information then please don't hesitate to contact us directly

Where are you based? 

Clare's Critters is based in Derby and we can travel to surrounding areas (Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire), but there will be a mileage charge of £1 per mile outside a radius of 10miles from DE24.
 

Are you licenced or insured?

Yes we are both! We have full public liability insurance, were licenced and staff are DBS checked. 

What kind of events do you attend?

We attend all kinds of events - birthday parties, weddings, care homes, corporate events, team building days, scout and guide groups, WWI meetings, out of school clubs, summer fairs - we can attend anything and tailor sessions to suit your specific needs.  All sessions are factual and most importantly fun!

Do you bring all the animals to events?

It depends on the event or party that you have booked with regards to the number of participants and the amount of time you have requested.  In order for all participants to have a good hands-on experience with the animals it isn't possible to always do this with all the animals.

We can never guarantee a specific animal for an event either, because the welfare of the animal comes first and always will.  Some animals on the day of your event may not be suitable to be handled, for example if the snake is shedding his skin then he can not be handled, this is because his eyes go cloudy as part of the shedding process and this can lead to him being uncomfortable and easily frightened.  All animals are assessed daily as part of their routine care, but also before being taken out to any hands-on sessions.

Do the animals bite?

One of the questions I got asked all the time as a zookeeper, and the answer is, anything with a mouth can potentially bite.  The animals at Clare's Critters are handled regularly and are all comfortable and happy being handled by both children and adults. There will be instructions given to people before handling any animal and as long as these are followed then the animals will be fine, if at any time we feel the participant is not following these instructions and the welfare of the animal is compromised then that is where the handling session will end.  The welfare of the animals will ALWAYS come first.

Can I take photographs?

Yes please do!  These animals are stunning and fascinating and the more people that get to see them the better.  I can advise you on the best ways to hold them to get great photos on the day.

What types of animals do you board?

We have boarding available for reptiles, invertebrates and small mammals (snakes, lizards, tortoises, pygmy hedgehogs, rats, tarantulas, giant snails etc).  We do not have boarding facilities for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. 

Do I need to bring my pets enclosure for boarding?

It depends on the species.  We have vivarium's to house exotic pets in, and the heating and lighting will be tailored specifically for your pet before its arrival.  If you want to board invertebrates or rats then you will need to bring their enclosure with you.  

What's included in the boarding service?

We provide species specific housing - so heating, lighting and enclosure furniture is dependant on your pets needs.  We provide safe and secure 24/7 care for your pet.  Pets will be fed and cared for as per your instructions, so as to make the transition for your pet as stress free as possible.  We will provide the food for your pet weather it be live or fresh food.  Animals are cleaned out daily, and temperatures are monitored twice a day.  If your pet is on any medication that is also fine, just let us know what we need to do and we will follow your instructions.

We will provide daily updates and pictures of your pet for you if you would like that, and if there are any concerns with your pet we will contact you straight away.

What substrate are the animals housed on?

For hygiene reasons we board most species on newspaper or puppy pads.  This allows for us to easily and fully clean your pets daily.  It also makes sanitising the enclosure between guests more thorough.