Gentle, uplifting animal visits for care homes
Consent-led, hands-on sessions designed to spark curiosity, conversation, and gentle moments of joy — always at each resident’s own pace.
Designed for residents — not performances
Our care home visits are designed to meet residents exactly where they are.
Some residents enjoy gentle, hands-on interaction — touching, holding, or closely observing the animals. Others prefer to watch, listen, or simply be present in the room.
There is no expectation to take part in any particular way. Watching is participation. Curiosity is enough.
We move at the pace of the room, offering moments of connection, conversation, and calm enjoyment — without pressure, performance, or overstimulation.
What happens in a typical visit
Each visit is gently structured but always responsive to the residents in the room.
Sessions typically last around 45–60 minutes and take place in a communal space such as a lounge or activity room. We arrive with a small, carefully chosen selection of animals, chosen for their calm temperament and suitability for care home settings.
We begin by introducing the animals in a relaxed, conversational way. Residents are welcome to watch, ask questions, share memories, or simply enjoy observing.
Where appropriate, residents are invited to gently touch or hold an animal — always with clear support, close supervision, and full respect for individual comfort levels. No one is ever pressured to take part.
The pace of the session is guided by the room. If residents are engaged and enjoying themselves, we linger. If energy dips or attention shifts, we naturally slow things down.
Staff are welcome to join in or step back as needed. Our aim is to create a calm, uplifting experience that feels easy to host and enjoyable to be part of.
Every visit is slightly different — shaped by the residents present on the day.
Why reptiles work so well in care settings
Reptiles offer a very different experience to more familiar animal visits — and that difference is often what makes them so effective in care settings.
Their slow, deliberate movements and calm presence naturally encourage residents to pause, observe, and engage without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. There is no sudden noise, jumping, or unpredictability.
Many residents are surprised by how gentle and fascinating reptiles are. This sense of novelty often sparks curiosity, conversation, and memory-sharing — particularly for those who may not usually engage with traditional activities.
The tactile experience can be especially meaningful. Feeling the warmth, weight, and texture of an animal can provide grounding sensory input, while still allowing residents to choose exactly how close they wish to be.
Just as importantly, reptiles do not demand attention. Residents are free to engage briefly, for longer periods, or simply enjoy watching — making the experience inclusive for a wide range of abilities, energy levels, and moods.
It’s often the quietest moments that leave the biggest impression.
Experience, welfare & professionalism
We bring a calm, experienced approach to every care home visit.
Over the past year, we’ve delivered sessions in over 80 care homes across North Wales, the North West, and surrounding areas. Each setting is different, and we adapt our approach with care and sensitivity.
Animal welfare sits at the heart of everything we do. All animals are carefully selected for their temperament and suitability for calm environments, and are handled in ways that prioritise their wellbeing at all times. Sessions are paced to suit both residents and animals.
We work in a consent-led way, particularly within dementia care environments. No resident is ever pressured to engage, and we are attentive to signs of discomfort or fatigue — pausing or changing approach immediately where needed.
We are fully insured, risk-assessed, and experienced in delivering visits within professional care settings. Our aim is to make every visit feel safe, respectful, and easy to host — for residents and staff alike.
We’re always happy to discuss suitability or answer questions before a visit.
Availability & boundaries
Our care home visits are available year-round on weekdays, subject to availability.
To ensure each visit feels calm and unhurried, we schedule one care home visit per day. This allows us to arrive settled, respond to residents thoughtfully, and maintain high welfare standards for both people and animals.
We’re happy to accommodate short-notice bookings when availability allows, and planning is intentionally kept simple. Visits work best in quiet communal spaces such as lounges or activity rooms, where residents can engage comfortably at their own pace.
While every care setting is different, we aim to keep visits relaxed and contained — prioritising quality of experience over numbers or speed.
Pricing & payment
Our care home visits are offered at a standard fee of £120 per visit.
This includes preparation, delivery of a calm, fully supported session, and the care and welfare of our animals. Sessions typically last around 45–60 minutes.
The standard fee covers visits within our local area. For longer journeys, a small travel supplement may apply — we’ll always confirm this in advance.
We invoice following confirmation of your booking. Payment is due within 7 days, or prior to the visit for short-notice bookings.
We aim to keep the booking process straightforward and transparent, and we’re always happy to answer any questions about pricing before confirming a visit.
We understand care settings work to set budgets, and we’re happy to discuss suitability before booking.
Consent & choice
Every care home visit is guided by consent, choice, and respect.
Residents are always free to decide how — or whether — they engage. Some enjoy gentle hands-on interaction, others prefer to watch, listen, or simply be present in the room. All forms of participation are equally valid.
No resident is ever pressured to take part. If someone shows signs of discomfort, anxiety, or fatigue, we immediately pause, step back, or change approach.
We work closely with care staff to ensure visits feel safe, supportive, and appropriate for the individuals present on the day — particularly within dementia care environments.
Our aim is to create moments of enjoyment and connection that feel respectful, contained, and genuinely positive for everyone involved.
Next steps
If you’re interested in arranging a care home visit, the next step is simply to get in touch.
We’re happy to discuss suitability, availability, and any practical considerations before confirming a booking. There’s no pressure to decide straight away — just a chance to see if it feels like a good fit for your setting.
To enquire, use the form below (or email us at hey@scalysafari.co) and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
We’ll always confirm availability, pricing, and suitability before booking.