Care Home Terms & Conditions
Last updated: January 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply specifically to Scaly Safari care home visits, including residential care homes, nursing homes, dementia units, and supported living settings.
By booking a care home visit, the Client (the care provider or organising party) agrees to the following terms.
1. Nature of the service
1.1. Scaly Safari provides supervised, welfare-led animal encounters designed to support engagement, curiosity, and sensory connection.
1.2. Visits are not therapy, medical treatment, or clinical intervention, and should not be represented as such.
1.3. Animal interaction is always optional. Residents are never required or pressured to participate, hold an animal, or remain present.
2. Booking, payment & confirmation
2.1. A booking is confirmed only once payment terms have been agreed and any required deposit or payment has been received.
2.2. Final payment must be completed no later than 7 days prior to the visit unless otherwise agreed in writing.
2.3. The Client is responsible for ensuring that the booking has been approved internally within their organisation before confirmation.
3. Consent, capacity & safeguarding
3.1. Many residents may have reduced or fluctuating capacity, including those living with dementia. Scaly Safari staff are trained to work respectfully within these contexts but do not assess capacity.
3.2. The Client is responsible for:
assessing residents’ capacity to participate
obtaining any required consent (including best-interest decisions where applicable)
ensuring appropriate staff supervision is present at all times
3.3. Participation is based on ongoing consent, not one-time agreement. If a resident shows discomfort, distress, confusion, or withdrawal, interaction will stop immediately without question.
3.4. Scaly Safari reserves the right to refuse or end interaction with any individual if it is deemed not in their best interests.
4. Health, safety & medical considerations
4.1. The Client must inform Scaly Safari in advance of:
known allergies
phobias
immune compromise
infection control requirements
behavioural risks
4.2. Scaly Safari cannot accept responsibility for adverse reactions where relevant information has not been disclosed.
4.3. Animals are handled exclusively by experienced staff unless explicit guidance is given. Residents are never expected to restrain or support an animal’s weight.
5. Supervision & environment
5.1. The Client must ensure that sufficient trained staff are present during the visit to support residents, particularly those with dementia or mobility needs.
5.2. The environment must be:
calm and controlled
appropriately heated
free from excessive noise or crowding
5.3. Scaly Safari reserves the right to modify, pause, or end a session if the environment becomes unsafe for residents or animals.
6. Animal welfare
6.1. Animal welfare is non-negotiable. All interactions are led by the animals’ comfort and stress signals.
6.2. Animals will not be handled by residents unless:
the animal is suitable
the resident is comfortable
the handler judges it safe in the moment
6.3. Any behaviour that may distress or endanger animals will result in immediate intervention or termination of the interaction.
7. Liability & assumption of risk
7.1. While Scaly Safari takes all reasonable precautions, interaction with live animals carries inherent risk.
7.2. The Client agrees that Scaly Safari is not liable for injury, allergic reaction, distress, or incident arising from participation, except where caused by proven negligence.
7.3. The Client remains responsible for:
resident supervision
staff conduct
the safety of the environment
7.4. The Client agrees to indemnify Scaly Safari against claims arising from failure to disclose relevant health, behavioural, or safeguarding information.
8. Photography, recording & dignity
8.1. Photography or recording of residents must follow the Client’s internal consent policies and data protection obligations.
8.2. Scaly Safari will never photograph or film residents for promotional use without explicit prior written consent.
8.3. Residents’ dignity, privacy, and emotional safety take precedence over documentation or publicity at all times.
9. Cancellation or changes by Scaly Safari
9.1. Scaly Safari reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a visit due to:
animal welfare concerns
handler illness
extreme weather or travel disruption
safeguarding concerns on arrival
9.2. In such cases, an alternative date or refund will be offered.
10. Governing law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
11. Agreement
By confirming a care home visit, the Client acknowledges and agrees to these Terms & Conditions and confirms that they have the authority to do so on behalf of their organisation.