Animal Encounters

11/10/2026

Today, Dave and I spent a wonderful few hours on a local foraging course, learning about the incredible plants, fungi and natural treasures growing right on our doorstep.

But as we walked through the woodland, I found myself wondering… Should it really be this quiet?

Where were the birds? The rustling in the undergrowth? The buzzing insects? The signs of all the little creatures that should call these woods home?

Now, I know it's autumn. Birds aren't singing like they do in spring, insects are less active, and much of our wildlife is incredibly good at staying hidden.

But it made me think about something much bigger.

🌍 Have we become so accustomed to the absence of wildlife that we no longer notice what's missing?

We talk about nature as though it's something we have to travel miles to experience. Yet our own woodlands, hedgerows, rivers and fields should be bursting with biodiversity.

And sadly, we know that so much of our native wildlife is declining.

I absolutely loved today. I loved learning about the plants around us, their history, their uses and how much nature has to offer.

But I came away with another reminder of why we do what we do at Animal Encounters Wales.

Because how can we protect something if we don't know it exists? How can we miss something we've never experienced?

Perhaps one of the greatest dangers facing nature is that each generation grows up accepting a little less wildlife than the generation before.

So next time you're out walking, stop for a moment. Listen. Look beneath the leaves. Notice the insects, the birds, the fungi, the tiny signs of life. And ask yourself…

🌿 Is nature peaceful, or are we slowly getting used to its silence?

CONNECT. UNDERSTAND. PROTECT.

11/10/2026

Just a few of the amazing animals that came to celebrate 2 amazing birthdays.

Starting in St Asaph for a 1st birthday for beautiful Freya, definitely a birthday to remember.

Then a hop and a skip to Holywell for an animal loving enthusiast. Ivy grew up around animals so if course she was going to have us to celebrate and wow it was amazing, some children even amazed me who were scared to start and were holding our tarantula and snakes! Just goes to show how whrn we learn and understand that animals are actually amazing creatures, we then become intrigued, this creates appreciation which is all we ever ask for.

A brilliant day celebrating 🐍🕷🐢🦎

10/10/2026

Yesterday was one of those days that reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

Yesterday was all about the reason we set up this rather selfish little business of ours… because, truthfully, we get just as much joy from these encounters as the people we visit!

Our beautiful miniature Shetlands, Nanw and Maya, had two very special visits.

Our first stop was a care home, where the girls worked their usual magic. 🐴💕

There is something incredibly special about the way Nanw and Maya seem to instinctively know where to go, who needs a little extra attention and when to simply stand quietly beside someone.

They absolutely LOVE being groomed, fussed over, given treats and, of course, having endless cuddles! But these visits are about so much more than meeting a pony.

For older people, especially those living with dementia, animals can provide a wonderful source of comfort, companionship and connection. The feel of a soft coat, the familiar smell of a pony, or the simple act of brushing and caring for an animal can bring back treasured memories, encourage conversation and create moments of genuine happiness.

Sometimes people who struggle to communicate with words can connect beautifully through touch, smiles and affection.

Our second visit was even more special. We were invited to a private home to meet a wonderful person living with dementia who has always adored ponies.

And what a truly wholesome, heartwarming experience it was. Watching that connection, seeing the joy that two little ponies could bring and sharing such a beautiful moment with someone and their family was incredibly moving.

Dementia may change so many things, but the love we have for animals, the memories they awaken and the feelings they bring can remain incredibly powerful.

These are the moments that stay with us.

We often talk about the importance of connecting children with animals and nature, but connection has no age limit. Whether you're 3 or 93, animals have an extraordinary ability to reach us in ways that words sometimes cannot.

And that's why we do this. ❤️

09/10/2026

🐝🦋🐛 SMALL CREATURES, BIG PURPOSE BUT.... ARE WE LOSING THEM? 🌍💚

When was the last time you saw a garden full of butterflies? Or drove along a country lane and had to clean insects from your windscreen?

Something is changing in our countryside, and it's something we should all be talking about. 💔

Across Wales and the UK, many of our insect populations are struggling. Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and countless other tiny creatures are facing enormous pressures.

And yet, without these little creatures, our world simply wouldn't function as we know it.

🐝 Bees and other pollinators help our flowers, fruit and vegetables grow.

🪲 Beetles and other decomposers help break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.

🐛 Caterpillars and countless other insects provide essential food for our birds, bats, hedgehogs and other wildlife.

🦋 Butterflies and moths are not just beautiful they are part of an incredibly complicated and delicate ecosystem.

Every creature has a role. Even the ones we might find a little frightening!

🌿 SO WHY DO WE TAKE MINIBEASTS INTO SCHOOLS, CARE HOMES AND EVENTS?

Because we believe that curiosity is where conservation begins.

We love watching a child who is initially terrified of a cockroach become completely fascinated by it.

We love hearing the questions, seeing the excitement and watching people's perceptions change when they discover just how extraordinary these little creatures really are.

Our giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches, stick insects, snails and other invertebrates are wonderful ambassadors for a world that is so often overlooked.

They give us an opportunity to talk about adaptations, habitats, food chains and the important jobs that invertebrates do.

But perhaps most importantly, they open the door to a much bigger conversation.

What about the wildlife right outside our own front doors?

We don't need to travel to the rainforests of Borneo to discover extraordinary wildlife. We have an incredible natural world right here in Wales, and it needs our help too. 💚

Unfortunately, habitat loss, pesticides, pollution, and the disappearance of wildflower rich spaces are putting many of our native insects under pressure.

And when we lose insects, the consequences ripple through the entire ecosystem.

🌼 BUT WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING!

🐝 Plant native wildflowers and provide food for pollinators.

🌱 Leave a little corner of your garden wild.

🍂 Keep some fallen leaves, logs and undisturbed spaces for insects to shelter.

🚫 Avoid unnecessary pesticides and weedkillers.

🌸 Grow flowers that bloom at different times of the year.

🔎 Encourage children to explore, observe and appreciate the tiny creatures living around them.

You don't need acres of land. A garden, a school playground, a window box or even a few pots can make a difference.

We want every encounter to be about more than meeting an amazing animal.

We want children and adults to leave asking questions, looking at nature differently and understanding that they have the power to help protect it.

Because the little things aren't little at all. They are the foundations of life around us. 🌍

💚 CONNECT. UNDERSTAND. PROTECT. 💚

That's why we do what we do.

And next time you see a bee, beetle, moth or even a spider, take a moment to appreciate the incredible world of minibeasts. 🐝🪲🕷️

Our wildlife needs more than admiration. It needs action.

08/10/2026

💔 Today is one of the really hard days at Animal Encounters.

This morning we said goodbye to our beautiful old man, Gingerbread. 🐹🌈

Gingerbread wasn’t just a guinea pig. Like every animal who shares our home and becomes part of Animal Encounters, he was part of our family.

Over the years, this little guinea pig has helped more people than he could ever have known. He has sat quietly with children who needed calm, brought smiles to children who were struggling, enjoyed strokes and carrots from our elders, helped build confidence and created connections when sometimes words were difficult.

He was there for children like our lovely Zach, who sadly passed away from cancer, and those memories will always be incredibly special to us.

We actually retired Gingerbread last year so that he could spend his old age quietly at home, being thoroughly spoilt. ❤️

But even now we have requests asking if Gingerbread can come along, who knew a guinea pig could bring so much joy and connection.

Sometimes people see the animals we bring to sessions, but they don't always see the relationships behind Animal Encounters. They don't see us caring for them every morning and every night, worrying when they're poorly, adapting things as they get older, retiring them when the time is right, or loving them as members of our family.

And eventually, we have to face this part too.... The goodbye. It is without doubt one of the hardest parts of what we do and never gets easier.

But when I think of all the people Gingerbread has comforted, all the little hands that have gently stroked him, all the smiles he has created and all the memories he leaves behind, what an incredible legacy for one little guinea pig. 🐹❤️

Sleep tight, Gingerbread.
Thank you for every smile. 🌈🐾

07/10/2026

Guess who is on Newyddion ni today???? Take a look 🤩 da iawn Lexi 👏 👏 👏

Rhaglen newyddion i bobl ifanc. A news programme for youngsters.

07/10/2026

Today was amazing! Ysgol Pennant have been learning all about the rainforest, the animals, habitats, issues faced. It was a perfect time to talk about our amazing trip to Borneo, the work 1StopBorneo Wildlife do and also the work that we can do to support our own wildlife too. An absolutely brilliant encounter 🥰

05/10/2026

Today was Thelma’s first ever session in Corwen… and what a lovely one it was. 🦎

Our beautiful chameleon joined us to meet the amazing KIM-Inspire, and once again we were reminded of exactly why we love what we do.

We’ve had the privilege of working with many of the KIM-Inspire groups, who provide award-winning mental health support across North Wales, and honestly… we absolutely LOVE coming to these sessions. 🥰

There’s something really special about animals. They have this incredible ability to connect with people.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re confident or quiet, having a good day or a difficult one, whether you love animals already or aren’t quite sure what to expect… somehow, an animal can break through those barriers.

A chameleon watching you from her branch.
A snake gently moving through your hands.
A tortoise slowly making her way around the room.
A tiny creature that suddenly has everyone talking, laughing and asking questions. 🐢🐍🦎

And sometimes, those little moments can become much bigger moments.

A conversation starts.
Someone smiles.
Someone remembers something from childhood.
Someone who was quiet suddenly wants to get involved.

That connection matters. ❤️

For us, Animal Encounters has never been about simply showing people animals. It’s about creating those moments of connection with animals and the natural world, helping people understand the incredible creatures we share our planet with, and hopefully leaving everyone with a little more curiosity, compassion and appreciation for the wonderful animals we share our world with.

03/10/2026

🎉 Birthday parties are definitely not just for kids! 🐍🦉🐢

Today we had the absolute pleasure of celebrating Catherine’s 70th birthday with her, and what an amazing party it was!

There were lots of people who weren’t particularly sure about snakes to begin with… but that didn’t stop the curiosity! Before long, almost everyone was engaging, asking questions, getting involved and even holding our snakes and meeting some of our other amazing animals. 🥰

And honestly, the conversations were just as special as the encounters.

Our trip to Borneo was a huge topic of conversation, leading to some brilliant discussions about conservation, animal welfare, the importance of caring for our own wildlife here in the UK, and the heartbreaking reality of how much wildlife we are continuing to lose.

It was such a lovely reminder that connection with nature isn't something we grow out of. Whether you're 7 or 70, that sense of wonder, curiosity and wanting to understand the natural world is still there. 🌿

And that's exactly why we do what we do.

CONNECT. UNDERSTAND. PROTECT. 🌎

Every encounter is an opportunity to connect someone with an animal, understand a little more about the world they share with us, and hopefully leave them wanting to do something to help protect it.

Happy 70th birthday, Catherine! Thank you for letting Animal Encounters Wales be part of your special day. 🥳🐍💚