ZooLab is an ethical organisation, and we never use trained animals.  All of our animals are allowed to display their natural behaviours and are part of ZooLab's human/animal team. We have public liability insurance of up to £10 million and hold a performing animals licence for all our animals.

Animal welfare is paramount for ZooLab – that's why we source all of our animals from within the UK.  We are vehemently opposed to the international pet trade and why we also support programmes for re-homing animals.

Zoolab is an ethical company. We love our animals and make sure they live their best lives at all times.

ZooLab is extremely committed to high levels of animal welfare and care. As such, we follow the Five Freedoms:

• Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
• Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
• Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

From April 1st 2019, anyone exhibiting animals should hold an Animal Activities Licence which ensures that they are providing the best levels of animal welfare and care, are regularly inspected by their local authority and are working with local councils to ensure high levels of health and safety, with all necessary policies, procedures, insurances and risk assessments in place.

We have been preparing for the introduction of Animal Activities Licences since the middle of last year. We have reviewed our policies and procedures, made improvements to our presentations, and upgraded our animal enclosures both at home and in transit! We have invested around £50,000 in upgrades across the past 12 months alone and will continue to do so!

ZooLab now has a dedicated Animal Welfare team alongside our existing Animal Husbandry team, who regularly visit our Educational Presenters and their animals across the UK providing advice, guidance and suggestions to ensure we are providing the best care possible for our animals in keeping with the regulations.

ZooLab is now a Pet Industry Federation (PIF) school, which means that we can deliver and assess our Educational Animal Presenters on a number of animal care topics. Our presenters are able to gain accredited qualifications, our current offering being a City & Guilds Certificate of Technical Competence in Animal Health, Husbandry and Handling (Small Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians). We recognise the importance of continued development and learning, and are really proud to be able to facilitate this.