Photo of Get to know animals CIC in Greater London
Zoos

Get to know animals CIC

πŸ“ Epping, Greater London

β˜…4.6(486 Google reviews)πŸ‘ΆAll ages

Hands-on indoor sanctuary housing 300+ rescued exotic animals across 70 species. All animals are ex-pets, enabling close handling encounters. Walk-in on weekends; handling experiences can be booked in advance.

βœ“ Neurodivergent friendlyβœ“ Patient knowledgeable staffβœ“ Hands-on animal handlingβœ“ Hidden gemβœ“ Rescued exotic animalsβœ“ All ages
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Soph Soph

We visited Get to Know the Animals for a birthday party and had an amazing time. My 4-year-old daughter is quite wary of animals, and I really wanted her to see how gentle and not scary they can be. She started the visit feeling nervous even around the bunny rabbits, but by the end of the party she had handled a rat, a bearded dragon, and even a snake; which felt like a huge achievement for her. It was so lovely to see her confidence grow during the session. Sienna, one of the party host, was absolutely amazing! She was incredibly informative, calm, and patient, and shared so many interesting facts in a way the children could really understand. She took the time to make my daughter (who is also called Sienna) feel comfortable and supported, and that made all the difference. We had such a positive experience and would highly recommend Get to Know the Animals, especially for children who may be nervous around animals. It was educational, fun, and genuinely confidence building.

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Outstanding for families with nervous or neurodivergent children. The patient, knowledgeable staff approach each child individually and have repeatedly turned animal-wary toddlers into enthusiastic handlers within a single visit. Parking is very tight β€” arrive early or plan for a short walk.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Arrive early β€” parking spaces are very sparse
⏰Pre-book handling experiences for the widest choice of animals
🎟️Staff welcome unlimited questions and never rush visitors β€” use that time
πŸš—Walk-in entry is available on weekends if you haven't pre-booked

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.6
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486 Google reviews

Exceptional patient staff50%
Great for nervous or neurodivergent children25%
Educational hands-on experience15%
sparse parking10%
S

Soph Soph

2 months ago

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β€œWe visited Get to Know the Animals for a birthday party and had an amazing time. My 4-year-old daughter is quite wary of animals, and I really wanted her to see how gentle and not scary they can be. She started the visit feeling nervous even around the bunny rabbits, but by the end of the party she had handled a rat, a bearded dragon, and even a snake; which felt like a huge achievement for her. It was so lovely to see her confidence grow during the session. Sienna, one of the party host, was absolutely amazing! She was incredibly informative, calm, and patient, and shared so many interesting facts in a way the children could really understand. She took the time to make my daughter (who is also called Sienna) feel comfortable and supported, and that made all the difference. We had such a positive experience and would highly recommend Get to Know the Animals, especially for children who may be nervous around animals. It was educational, fun, and genuinely confidence building.”

B

ben rickward

5 months ago

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β€œSmall but full. The place is a hidden gem. My son is an animal fanatic and absolutely loves this place. He is only 5 and like many children, has some neurodivergent challenges but always feels at ease when here. The staff are amazing, always happy to share their knowledge and you can see just how much they love what they do, it’s more a hobby than just a job! Never do we feel rushed, no such thing as too many questions. Always a pleasure and always learn more with each visit. Everything here is so reasonably priced, even with a small budget there is an experience available, starting at like Β£5, which is fantastic so everyone can get that extra special visit. My son loves the lizards, to go in an enclosure with rhino lizards and tortoises to feed and cuddle, yes cuddle them! It’s Β£15. Far less than anywhere else I have visited! We were Very lucky to find this place, they should advertise more to spread the word as it deserves to be known!”

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Evie Todd

3 months ago

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β€œI booked the squirrel monkey experience at the sanctuary for my partner’s birthday and wow, what an unforgettable day. From the very first interaction, Rob was incredibly patient and knowledgeable, making the booking process a breeze. On the day, we explored the sanctuary and even made a few feathered friends among the parrots before our main event. The monkey experience itself was just magical. Donna shared the monkeys’ stories with such care and passion, and kindly took photos! Every ranger we met was kind, welcoming, and clearly devoted to the animals. They took the time to chat with us about various residents and how they came to find a home at the sanctuary. It’s a truly special place, doing incredible work for beautiful animals. We left feeling inspired, grateful and already planning our next visit. Keep up the amazing work team πŸΎπŸ’πŸπŸΈπŸŸβ€

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Donna McIntyre

a month ago

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β€œWhat an amazing place! The work they doβ€”taking in unwanted exotic pets and giving them a safe, happy lifeβ€”is incredible. I love how they fund the rescue through hands-on experiences that not only allow people to get up close to the amazing animals but also educate visitors at the same time. The prices are very reasonable and absolutely worth it for the experience. The staff are all so friendlyβ€”special shout-out to Donna on reception for such a warm welcome. The team in the centre were equally lovely and very knowledgeable. It’s clear they genuinely adore the animals and are passionate about what they do. 10/10 – highly recommend! πŸŒŸβ€

Reviews from Google

Overview

Get to Know Animals is an indoor rescue sanctuary where visitors can hold and meet animals spanning furries, reptiles, exotics, and mini beasts. Because every animal is a former pet rather than a wild-caught specimen, the encounters are genuinely hands-on.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00

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