FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU GET TO TOUCH/ HOLD ANIMALS AT THE PARTIES? OR JUST LOOK AT THEM?
All of the animals we bring to a party presentation are able to be touched and held by participants. Photo opportunities are available, and encouraged to remember your experience by.
At wildlife displays, we have specific animals for roving/ handling, while animals in display enclosures are required to stay in their set ups.
DO YOU CAP NUMBERS/ CHARGE ADDITIONALLY FOR CERTAIN NUMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS IN A SHOW?
We do not charge extra or cap numbers, but recommend around 15 children in a standard one hour show and for numbers higher than 20, to consider an extended party package, to allow the time to give children a break mid presentation, and ensure all children get quality animal handling experiences.
HOW MUCH ROOM DO I NEED TO ALLOCATE? CAN WE HAVE THE SHOW OUTDOORS?
We keep our set up as compact as possible to make presenting easier in smaller spaces such as apartments. In terms of allocating space, allow enough room for children to sit on the floor with the animal handler in a circle. This ensures the safety of the animals (not able to be dropped from a height) and the safety of children (ensures a handler is not having to step over children to try and bring an animal over to someone, allows space for the animal handler to have enough room to assist a child in handling the animal safely.)
The show can be done outdoors, but we ask for a "Plan B" to have already been organised when booking in the party in the event of bad weather.
HOW IS THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS MANAGED AT HOME?
All of our animals are housed in enclosures that are in accordance with the Victorian Standard requirements for the relevant species. As example, our adult pythons are housed in a minimum of 6ft enclosures, and baby pythons are in a minimum of 2ft enclosures.
Lizard and frog species are provided room to pursue live insects, burrow into substrate and climb.
UVB is installed into lizard, turtle, crocodile and frog enclosures to ensure they can metabolise calcium in a way that helps with proper growth and development.
Enrichment is provided in the form of climbing branches, hides, and plants.
HOW IS THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS MANAGED AT SHOWS?
All of the animals are transported in crates with heat packs to help maintain a stable body temperature. During shows, animals are either housed in temporary display enclosures, and animals are rotated to ensure they are not handled for too long.
At wildlife displays, animals are out for handling for a maximum of an hour, and during wildlife parties, a maximum of ten minutes per animal.
We also have protocols in place in terms of how the public is instructed to handle the animals, ensuring heads in particular are not being stroked and patted.
This is to prevent the likelihood of bites, as well as being mindful of the fact that reptiles do not enjoy touching in this area.
Again, to ensure the safety of the public, crocodiles mouths are taped, but with a soft bandage that will not cause pain when removed or pinch skin. Crocodiles do not wear the tape in between shows, so they can open their mouths and regulate their body temperature during transit.
WILL THESE ANIMALS BE SOLD WHEN THEY GROW TO A PARTICULAR SIZE/ WILL THEY BE DOING SHOWS FOR THEIR WHOLE LIVES?
Love Me Like A Reptile buys all of its animals under the assumption they will be in our care for life.
Inclusive of the crocodile , we would not sell an animal as soon as its size is less convenient for shows compared to what they once were.
Love Me Like A Reptile is moving towards developing more Animal Assisted Learning programs that would allow these animals to "retire" from shows and still enjoy plenty of years in set ups that allow for natural behaviours and enrichment, as well as providing educational content for the public.
WHAT IS LOVE ME LIKE A REPTILE DOING TO ENSURE COVID SAFE SHOWS?
Your safety is paramount to us, and always has been. The following measures have been put in place to minimise risk as best as possible while visiting for wildlife shows.
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Hand Sanitiser provided for use before and after animal handling at shows
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Animal crates and bags are washed/ wiped down before and after shows
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Shows we have organised are kept in a logbook, detailing location, dates and times in case of a covid case, so we can contact the relevant parties as soon as possible
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It is outlined to participants at shows that ANY mild signs of illness will require staff to not attend a booking
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1.5m social distancing is still in place for adults and animal handlers attending shows
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Animal handlers are certified in Personal Safety and Infection Control Training via the Australian Government Department of Health
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Masks are still worn by animal handlers throughout the entirety of a show for aged care or immunocompromised individuals
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Animal handlers maintain distance where possible from both children and adult participants
DO YOU HAVE CARD FACILITIES?
Currently, we unfortunately do not offer card facilities, but are looking into providing this service in 2023. At present, payment is made via cash in hand or electronic transfer.
We provide receipts for proof of transaction on request.
IS THERE A CANCELLATION FEE?
2 weeks out from a booking: no cancellation fee applies
1 week out from a booking: 50% cancellation fee applies
less than 7 days out from booking: payment is required to be made in full
IS THERE A LATE FEE FOR INVOICES?
Our standard invoicing requires payment to be made within seven days of the date an event has taken place. For every week that an invoice is late, a $20.00 late fee will be added on to compensate for the additional administration time taken to chase payment for the service.
This fee is waived for organisers that have to process invoices on specific pay cycles, we just ask for clarification on when payment can be expected to reach account.