The Nature Nook

20/06/2026

Rescue work has never been harder. More people trying to make money by breeding resulting in an increase in genetic conditions, an increase in the numbers of animals being dumped, a rapid increase in the numbers of hoarding cases.

In an effort to combat some of these issues, we're announcing two brand new projects to support both pets and their owners:

Project 1: Preventing Pet Relinquishment
- Emergency foster network for those escaping DV, struggling with accommodation, poor health, or mental health issues
- Small amount of funding set aside to support owners with emergency vet bills
- Second hand supply scheme to help owners upgrade their enclosures for less

Project 2: Education and Community work
- School visits, open days at the Nature Nook, and stalls at community events etc with the aim of answering questions and educating the general public about animal care
- Social group sessions for SEN kids, nervous readers, and disabled adults and homeschoolers to engage with nature, animals, and one another in a safe and supportive space
- Animal care workshops
- Safe, ethical breeding information sessions and potential accreditation
- Pet matcher service that match your lifestyle and requirements to potential pet options

We will be doing all of this with one staff member and an extremely limited budget, so please be patient with us!

We will be setting aside £100 a month to support with vet bills. This funding will be limited and one time and will be paid directly to a vet. This funding is not for routine procedures, spaying/neutering, vaccines etc and will be means tested to ensure we can help as many people as possible.

How can you help?

- Fundraise for us! We always, always need funding and these projects will stretch those resources even further. Nominate us for prizes and donations and anything you see online, run events and anything else you can think of!
- Volunteer as a grant writer to help us secure additional funding for these projects
- Sign up to provide a foster placement
- Offer a storage space for us to keep secondhand enclosures
- Donate old enclosures
- Get in touch if you have an event you'd like us to speak at

These projects are hugely needed in our community and will hopefully make a big difference to both us and other rescues who often feel like we're drowning.

19/06/2026

All these vivs available- not including animals.

3x2x2 grey- £60
4x2x2 brown- £40
4x1.5x1.5s (oak, grey, brown)- £50

Also available:
Oak 3x2x2: £50
Oak 3x1.5x1.5: £30
Terranium oak: £30

17/06/2026

We've noticed a massive uptick in the numbers of snakes being found in central Torquay, particularly in the residential areas branching off from the main high street, in the last few months, with at least 8 or 9 notable instances in a similar area.

On top of that, we have seen multiple reptiles in poor condition being left outside.

As a small rescue, we have limited capacity, but if the choice is between finding space or dumping an animal, we will always take them. If your situation is an emergency, please, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will always see what we can do to find a resolution if you are honest about your situation.

We care about the welfare of the animals in question, but also about the humans involved. There may be local services we can signpost you to or support we can offer if needed.

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

3 of these vivs arriving Thursday!

16/06/2026

Lots of new reptile supplies!

16/06/2026

Some more secondhand vivs available!
3x2x2 Viv with no fittings
1.5ft Viv

15/06/2026

Amazing news! 15 year old me would have LOVED this ❤️

15/06/2026

There are a few potential projects I've been considering taking forwards (pending some additional funding) but I'm curious to see what our community feel is most needed:

1. Social groups/learning opportunities for SEN young people, adults, homeschoolers etc. This would be a weekly or monthly programme of social groups, talks, and excursions relating to animals and nature with opportunities to develop skills for the workplace and connect with other people who have similar interests

2. Drop in service for vulnerable people/elderly. We would provide a cost free service that drops in to support those in need with animal care tasks such as feeding, cleaning, nail trims and health checks.

3. Subsidized spay & neuter scheme for guinea pigs and rabbits. This would be income dependent, covering up to 50% of the cost of a spay/neuter, but limited in scope due to cost.

4. Pet food bank

5. Emergency foster network. This would support people in unstable housing, fleeing domestic violence, and those who find themselves hospitalized temporarily by offering temporary foster care for their animals

6. General education programme offering animal care sessions, outreach visits, school visits etc with the aim of increasing local knowledge of modern care standards and preventing neglect of future pets.

I'd love to eventually do all of these projects, but with limited capacity/funds we can only focus on one or two things at a time. I'd love to hear what people think!