07/08/2026
Today we’d like to talk about something that is really important to us.
One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “Are all of your animals rescues?”
The answer is no, and we’re incredibly proud to be completely transparent about that.
The vast majority of our animal ambassadors have come from responsible breeders, reputable collections or have been bred here by ourselves. This ensures they have received the very best start in life, with the highest standards of nutrition, husbandry, socialisation and veterinary care. Most importantly, it means they are confident, comfortable animals that genuinely cope well with and enjoy being ambassadors for their species.
Our mission has always been to educate, inspire and encourage people to love and respect animals and the natural world. We believe the best way to achieve that is through happy, healthy animals whose welfare always comes first.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have animals that have needed a second chance. We do have rehomed animals as part of our family. A rehome is very different from a rescue. Rehomed animals come to us because their previous owners, often through no fault of their own, are no longer able to provide the care they need.
Rescue animals, however, have often been removed from situations where they have experienced neglect, poor welfare or trauma. Sadly, many carry physical or behavioural challenges as a result. Those animals deserve peace, stability and time to recover, not the demands of public encounters. We do have rescue animals here too, but they live quiet lives away from our educational work because that’s what is best for them.
We sometimes see encounter companies claiming that all of their animals are rescues. While genuine rescue work is incredibly valuable and deserves huge respect, it isn’t the same as what educational encounter companies are trying to achieve. Our role is to inspire thousands of people to care about wildlife, improve animal welfare, support conservation and develop a lifelong respect for the natural world.
Another thing many people don’t realise is that what we do is licensed and regulated under legislation designed specifically for businesses exhibiting animals. Before we can operate, we have to demonstrate appropriate animal welfare standards, suitable accommodation, veterinary provision, knowledge, experience and competence. We are then subject to ongoing inspections to ensure those standards continue to be met.
Many people are surprised to learn that organisations describing themselves as rescues or sanctuaries are not automatically required to hold the same type of licence simply because they use those titles. This means they are not necessarily assessed against the same standards of welfare, husbandry, qualifications and experience that licensed animal encounter businesses are required to meet. Some rescue organisations voluntarily work to exceptionally high standards, but the level of regulation is not automatically the same.
We believe that any organisation caring for large numbers of animals should be held to high welfare standards and appropriate oversight, regardless of what type of organisation it is. Good regulation helps protect both animals and the public.
The same applies to modern, well-managed zoos. Zoos are often criticised, but many play an essential role in conservation. Without accredited zoos, several species would already be extinct. They contribute to international breeding programmes, scientific research, education and conservation projects around the world, while also operating under strict licensing and welfare requirements.
There are wonderful rescue charities doing outstanding work every single day, and we have enormous respect for them. Sadly, as with every sector, there are also organisations that do not operate to those same standards. That’s why it’s so important to look beyond labels and ask questions about welfare, transparency, experience and regulation.
The word “rescue” naturally makes people feel empathy, and that’s a wonderful human quality. However, it’s important to remember that the word itself doesn’t automatically tell you about the standards of care being provided. Transparency, knowledge, experience and welfare should always matter most.
I spent almost two years working at what was described as a sanctuary, so these are views formed through personal experience as well as professional knowledge. Of course, there are excellent and poor examples in every area of animal care, and no single organisation represents an entire sector.
At Exotic Explorers, we’ll always be honest about where our animals come from and why they’re here. We’re proud to work alongside many fantastic licensed collections and educators who share the same values of transparency, welfare and education.
Together, through responsible care, education and conservation, we can improve the lives of animals both in human care and in the wild.
