ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Parties, Therapy, Fun
There is nothing more pure and therapeutic than the love from an animal, our role is to bring together human to animal interactions, with education, care and love.
"If children don't grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don't understand it they wont protect it... and if they don't protect it, who will??" David Attenborough
ABOUT ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
We are a family run business in North Wales and have a vast experience of working with animals and people. We want to share our passion through parties, education, therapy and fun. We can tailor packages to suit you.
We are fully insured, DBS checked and licensed.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok too!
Look for our green logo
PARTY IDEAS. THE ANIMALS, WELFARE & GOODIE BAGS
Invite your friends for a party like no other.
An up close encounter like nothing you have experienced before!
***We have certificates and stickers all included in the price.
The birthday child gets a goody bag from us too***
For the welfare of our animals and for a great experience, parties are for children aged 3+
Pony parties with a twist
Always dreamed of having a pony party? We can make those dreams come true! Nanw, Maia and Murphy are our miniature Shetland ponies. They just love being dressed up and love attention, they have a whole wardrobe of outfits to dress them up in, like a bumble bee, unicorn, ladybird, princess to name a few! including wings too. You and your friends can spend time decorating them, styling their hair and changing their outfits whilst also giving them treats, grooming them and taking them for walks. Don't forget the photo opportunities.
That's not all! We also bring some of our cute and cuddly animals too, oh yes, along with the ponies, we bring rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoises, they come with little baskets for you to feed and brush them, the tortoises even have little fancy dress outfits too!
We always bring 2 miniature ponies, it will depend on the day which come along unless you specifically want a particular pony.
For outdoor parties we bring our 4.5m gazebo with pretty pens for them, however,
we also have special made nappies so they can also come indoors too.
The birthday child gets a certificate and goodie bag too!
ANIMAL WELFARE ADVICE AND SUPPORT
They aren't just animals, they are family
We absolutely adore all animals, we have turned our passion into our business.
When it comes to our animals, we inform you how to pet and handle our animals, each animal will have a member of staff, this means that every animal isn't out at the same time, each animal is monitored when out, we will support you in holding animals, if any animals displays behaviour that shows distress we wont bring them out. If any animal on the lead up to an encounter shows any signs of illness or distress then that animal wont be in attendance.
If we have any concerns with the handing of any animal, we reserve the right to remove the animal and to refuse further handing.
Whilst we love to hear that you may also want a certain animal, it is our mission to try and educate as much as possible about the amount of care, money, vet checks, appropriate habitats, growth, concerns, co-habiting, vaccinations and more than anything, how quickly children can lose interest. We encourage a lot of research.
We educate on encouraging large spaces as close as possible to their natural habitat. For example we are against little hutches with no space for rabbits. All of our animals have large enclosures and have weekly health checks.
We also encourage people to use local animal rescue centres or online sites for unwanted pets but be aware of online scams!
There are so many animals out there that want your love and with the right knowledge they can be an amazing addition for you or your family.
Talk to us, if you are thinking about getting a pet, or are struggling with your pet and dont know what to do, maybe we can help signpost you or help as much as we can.
The Ultimate Animal Party
Our party package which includes all of our reptiles and fluffies too!!
(Ponies not included)
A party like never before! You could surprise your child to the best party ever or maybe they would like to be our helper and can help us show all the animals to their friends? At home? A hall? A garden?
Whatever your venue we can tailor our parties to suit your needs.
Ever wanted to hold a snake? Pet and dress up a tortoise? What about feeling what a gazillion legs feels like on your hand? Our super friendly animals would love to meet you. We have...
Snakes of different varieties including our super impressive 12 ft Reticulated Python
We also have a 16ft reticulated python called Daisy!*
We have lizards too, Chameleon, Bearded Dragons and different types of Gecko
Not forgetting Onyx our super impressive Tegu
Tortoises of different varieties with their cute little hats.
What about creepy crawlies???
We have:
Giant Millipedes, Our Pacman frog,
Giant hissing Cockroaches, Katydids
Giant African land Snails and eggs, Stick insects
Tarantula and Scorpion
How about something cute???
Our tiktok sensation Tenrec
We have Chinchillas, Rabbits,
and Guinea pigs too.
How many do we bring? This is the cool thing, we bring as many as we can.
We have lots of the same species that means we are able to rotate animals for encounters. If a species is in hibernation, or there are any behavioural or health concerns then they wont be in attendance.
* Daisy only attends so long as their is an adequate staff ratio due to her weight.
Our 3 miniature Shetland Ponies; Nanw and Maia and Murphy love to play and are amazing therapy ponies. You can add these as an extra if you wanted. You can pet, brush, dress up and give them treats.
We bring pens and baskets for some animals so you can freely brush, feed and play with them.
ANIMAL THERAPY
The science speaks for itself, it is proven that spending time with, petting and getting to know animals can be so beneficial to our health and mental health. We offer sessions to care homes, groups, charities where they can spend time with our animals, groom them, feed them and just soak up the benefits. Available for care homes, community settings, charities, schools, to compliment family therapy, hospitals, hospices.
A 2018 study Trusted Source shows that seeing and touching animals can trigger positive physiological changes, including higher levels of:
A reduced baseline cortisol level is another benefit.
Research from 2016 has also linked animal-assisted therapy to improved blood flow in people experiencing heart failure. It may even reduce blood pressure for some people.
The positive health benefits of spending time with animals are being increasingly studied and scientifically accepted.
Multiple studies have found that being around animals can improve moods and reduce the risk of developing depression. Just being near an animal can bring over you a wave of calm or a sense of bliss. Even more so when you are petting the animal.
EDUCATION SETTINGS
Primary and Secondary schools. Our aim is to compliment the National Curriculum and offer classroom sessions with our animals. We are passionate about our Welsh culture and aim to have as much literature in Welsh medium. Not only do we want to educate about our animals but also our environment and how our daily lives affects the habitats, environments and welfare for different species.
We volunteer for local organisations that help care for our own Native Wildlife, we share our experience and knowledge of Red Squirrels, Ospreys, Red Kites, Beavers, Hedgehogs etc We aim to educate and encourage people to engage, be aware and help where its possible.
Do you need support in Agored Cymru delivery? We are experienced in creating and delivering units and can develop session plans to suit all abilities.
Perfect for Language (story telling, poetry) Science, Wellbeing. Please get in touch to see how we can support your projects.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
A wedding with a difference? Or a school fete? A festival? Whatever your occasion, we can offer bespoke packages for all occasions. We have our own set up. Gazebo, tables so our needs are very basic.
Take photos with our selfie board, play our personalised Top Trumps game, our experience is very interactive and the gazebo offers the perfect backdrop for photographs.
You can have us for 2 hours or up to the whole day!
Ydych chi'n siarad yn Cymraeg? Rwdw i'n dysgwr Cymraeg, ond hefo gweithwyr Cymraeg, er mwyn sicrhau bod ein gwasanaeuthau yn addas i bawb. Yn ogystal a hyn bydd yne ffeil o ffeithiau am ein anifeiliaid ar gael trwy'r cyfryngau o Cymraeg a Saesneg.
1-1 SUPPORT
Jo has over 20 years experience working with young people and communities. She is very proud to have worked with Youth Services and Education for so many years. Trained in the understanding of trauma, attachment, young peoples mental health to name a few, she graduated with a degree from Glyndwr University in Youth and Community. She has worked 1-1 in secondary schools and colleges helping the most vulnerable people. Self esteem, motivation, homelessness, mental health, LGBTQ, abuse, neglect, drugs plus many more.
The feeling is scientific: Oxytocin is a hormone that is closely associated with empathy, care, relationships, and trust. That’s why some people call it the “love hormone” or the “cuddle hormone.” No wonder, then, that some scientists have studied, and found, a positive relationship between human-animal interactions and oxytocin levels. Studies conducted by a group of Swedish researchers show that oxytocin levels rose for animals and humans as they interacted with each other
Home visits can be done but it would have to be alongside a professional intervention worker. School settings family support centres she would be happy to attend.
Fear Facing
Bugs, snakes, critters are not uncommon fears. Having a personal fear I understand the anxiety and fears associated with them. However, when you feel ready to face them, we are here for you. We offer a very calm, patient session. Communication is key and there are no surprises. We lead by you.
PRICING
Please call or message for a quote to create your own bespoke session
PARTIES
The big event! This includes animals from each category: Snakes, Lizards, Creepy Crawlies and Cute and fluffies too!
Around 30 animals!!! (not including ponies)
1-1.5hrs party for up to 12 children £150
More than 12 children are charged at £2.50 per child extra.
A goody bag and certificate for the birthday child is included, and stickers for everybody!.
Certificates can be in Welsh or English.
Pony party. They can arrive all dressed up or the children can decorate them. Groom, pet, feed and take beautiful pictures next to them. 1hr for £150 we also bring some cute fluffies too in their little baskets to feed, brush and cuddle, this includes tortoises, guinea pigs and rabbits.
For all children to receive goodie bags they cost £3.50 each
Mileage is charged after a 10 mile radius from LL21, every mile after that will incur an additional charge of £1 per mile.
ANIMAL THERAPY
Ideal for care homes, hospitals, additional learning need provisions, childrens' homes, dementia
charities to name a few.
We provide sessions dependant on your needs, taking allergies, health concerns into account especially those with a weakened immune system.
1-1.5hr session bringing a selection of animals of choice is £99 for up to 15 people. For larger groups please get in touch for a quote.
We bring baskets, food, grooming tools so that people can have an individual experience, they can care for the animals, pet and hold them too.
Mileage is charged after a 10 mile radius at £1 per mile.
EDUCATION SETTINGS
Ideal for primary, secondary, ALN and home school provisions. We also include groups such as Brownies, Scouts in this too. We charge £99 per session or half day is £170 and full day £300.
National Curriculum for Wales
Tailored education on the learning areas of:
The world around us is full of living things which depend on each other for survival (Science and Technology)
Developing physical health and well-being has lifelong benefits (Health and Wellbeing)
Sessions for all years, ages and abilities
We recommend getting in touch to discuss your needs.
OCCASIONS
What better entertainment to have at your wedding, family gathering or get together. What about fetes and festivals? Whatever your occasion we would love to be a part of it. Our 4.5m gazebo provides a perfect space and backdrop for pictures. Selfie boards, games, meet the animals and so much more!....
10 mile radius is included in the price. After that £1 per mile. If the Unicorn and baby ponies are also wanted an extra small charge for towing the horse box. We would let our Unicorn fly but her sense of direction is just awful!!!
2-4hrs £250
4-6hrs £350
NURSERY & UNDER 5'S
*NEW* We have written some stories about our animals and would love to share them with you, we bring age appropriate animals where children can engage, pet and hold with help. Our interactive stories have messages of acceptance, kindness, accepting difference, understanding that we may be different but we are all amazing. These sessions lasts about 45 mins and are £99 plus mileage.
HOME VISITS
*NEW* Would you like your very own animal encounter! For a child and their immediate family, we can visit with some of the child's favourite animals for a bespoke, experience and they get a certificate too! Contact us for more information price is £80 plus mileage.
ESSENTIAL READING
PARTIES
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Parties are recommended for ages 3 plus.
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Parties are for up to 12 children/people.
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We can create parties for more than 12 but we it will be risk assessed and extra staff provided. An extra charge will occur.
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For the welfare of the animals, you will be sent an information sheet of needs and requirements, which explains everything.
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For ponies to attend, a space to site the gazebo which is 4.5 meters wide x 3 meters is required.
ALLERGIES
Many people are allergic to animal fur, please ask your guests if they will be affected.
Due to the feed given to our animals, it is important that anyone with Nut allergies or Egg allergies take necessary precaution as traces may be found on their fur or scales.
THE ANIMALS
Should any animal be unwell we wont bring them along but will do our best to give you as much notice and also try and provide another animal to come instead.
Although our pets are friendly and handled often, we cannot mitigate the chance of bits, stings, kicks or scratches.
Our animals can't tell us they need the toilet so we have to make you aware that wee's and poo's do happen!
We do ask for child supervision for behaviour.
Our Chinchillas require low temperatures, so in the peak of our summer (don't laugh we do have one somethimes!) When temperatures are over 72f a cooling method is required, if this isn't possible we will have to leave them at home.
CAN IT BITE??? This is a question we get often. The answer is yes! Most animals can bite, our animals are very well handled, whilst our animals haven't bitten, if mistreated they would more than likely defend themselves, it's about respect, if we are kind to them, they are kind to us. However Guinea pigs and rabbits can sometimes mistake fingers when being fed, this is why we help you and guide you.
TRAVEL
Animal Encounters is based at LL21 and are happy to travel up to 1hr 45m with the animals, (up to 1hr with ponies) this is because we can ensure they are not distressed and kept at temperature. For insight this means we travel to:
Mid Wales, Oswestry, Chester, Anglesey, to name a few.
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No fee for mileage up to a 10 mile radius.
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A charge of £1 per mile after that (without Unicorn)
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A charge of £1.25 with a trailer
BOOKING TERMS
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We require a £50 deposit upon booking, this secures your date, you can change your mind about which animals etc until closer to the time. The deposit is non refundable.
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Full payment to be paid 48 hours before event
CANCELLATION
1. Party booking deposits are non refundable but we may be able to move the date if suitable.
2. For outside encounters, it is down to the customer to source inside space should there be extreme weather conditions.
3. In half terms, cancellation less than 1 week will incur 100% of the encounter cost. 1-2 weeks, 50% of the encounter cost.
ANIMAL WELFARE
The welfare of our animals is paramount to us, they are our family. We assess each animals in the lead up to every encounter and if we have any concerns, that animals wont attend. We will do our best to inform you as soon as we can.
Every animal will be accompanied by a member of staff, we dont allow children to wonder around with animals.
At the start of every encounter we will talk everyone through animal handling which MUST be adhered to.
Children under 5 MUST have adult supervision at all times.
If we have any concerns that affect our animals we reserve the right to withdraw the animal/s and to end the session early.
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