The Nature Nook

16/12/2024

You can shop via our link below to donate part of your purchase, from grocery shopping to toys, to the Nature Nook!

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/the-nature-nook/

You Shop. Your cause gets money. For Free.

14/12/2024

Something to think about on the run-up to Christmas.

We have shared this post from our friends at 'Ronie's Love of Birds' in Utah, USA:
We have been bombarded with messages and calls about "we want a bird for Christmas".
Please know you are not contacting the right place 😬
Our adoption process is in place to avoid birds purchased on a whim. It takes time & patience.
Pets aren't Xmas gifts to surprise people with.

13/12/2024

I have two of these shelves available to purchase! They're very large, very sturdy, and are on wheels. We're asking for £90 per shelf. They'd be perfect for another little shop, we just don't have the room to fit them all in after having a move around!

Collection only from TQ4 5JX

12/12/2024

Some festive treats given to dogs at this time of year can make them seriously unwell, or worse.

⚠️ RAWHIDE and other edible chews
Rawhide poses a choking and blockage risk. If your dog swallows large pieces, they can get stuck in the oesophagus or other parts of the digestive tract, potentially requiring emergency surgery.

⚠️ COOKED BONES
Cooked bones can splinter or become lodged in the throat, blocking the airway and causing choking. As they pass through the digestive system, they can cause serious damage. Bones can also get stuck in the oesophagus, stomach, or intestines, leading to life-threatening complications.

⚠️ CHOCOLATE
Even a small amount can upset your dog’s stomach, causing vomiting or diarrhoea. Larger amounts can lead to theobromine poisoning, which causes severe symptoms such as muscle tremors, seizures, irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding, or even a heart attack. The first sign is often severe hyperactivity.

⚠️ MINCE PIES and other festive treats with dried fruit
Raisins, currants, and sultanas—common in mince pies and Christmas puddings—are highly toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can cause sickness, diarrhoea, and potentially fatal kidney failure.

For more tips on keeping your pets safe this festive season, check out our handy guide: 9 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas
www.animalaunts.co.uk/9-ways-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-christmas/

12/12/2024

Looking for something to do in the New Year? Why not come down and join us at CentrePeace. Friendly, welcoming people doing that little bit to help to local community :)

12/12/2024

Closed today (Thursday 12th) for another shot at my pre-op appointment!

Back tomorrow as normal! 🦜

11/12/2024

Everyone knows the drill!

Reptile order going in before Christmas. Frozen food, live food, substrate, bulbs, decor- get in touch!

🐍 🦎 🐢

10/12/2024

We have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of people currently looking to buy pets as Christmas presents for children.

We just want to urge as much caution as possible when it comes to all pets, but particularly small animals and reptiles.

We are currently undergoing a rescue crisis in the UK. There are far too many animals being surrendered, and not enough homes to keep them in. Many rescue centers are full to capacity.

We are asking parents to consider the following:
- Are you prepared to step in and care for the animal if your child gets bored?
- Do you have the space to keep the animal? For reptiles, this is a minimum of a 4x2x2 vivarium, for rabbits a 2x3x3m enclosure, for guinea pigs, a 10sqft enclosure, for hamsters a cage sized 100x50cm or larger
- Do you have the money for toys/bedding/enrichment? A hamster setup that meets the ethical minimum standards can easily cost several hundred pounds.
- Are you registered with a knowledgeable vet and prepared for potential vet bills that may arise? For rabbits, in particular, the cost of spaying/neutering and vaccinations can be upwards of £300 in the first year.
- Have you sought trustworthy care advice from expert keepers?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, we urge you to reconsider.

Too many pets are kept in small, inappropriate enclosures that do not meet their basic needs. Ultimately, this can lead to neurological issues, poor health, shortened lifespans and even behavioural issues.

We are always happy to advise on the best set ups for healthy, happy animals. Our advice is non-biased, and we will even point you in the direction of cheaper options where available.

As the old saying goes, pets are for life, not just for Christmas. Please consider the welfare of your potential new pet first and foremost.

Thank you! 🦜 🐇 🐹 🦎 🐍

08/12/2024

We're thinking about offering some animal education sessions for groups where people can come in and learn more about our animals, animal care/husbandry etc. Possibly even some arts/crafts/social groups.

Any idea of where to start or any groups who might be interested?

07/12/2024

Closed today due to the rancid weather.

Everyone stay safe and dry! We'll be back on Monday

06/12/2024

Evening all!

Due to the storm tomorrow, I'm anticipating that I won't be able to get in to open the shop.

We'll see how it goes overnight! Fingers crossed it won't be as bad as predicted.

06/12/2024

A few things to keep out of reach of your pets this Christmas, unless you want to spend your Christmas Day in the out of hours vets (which I did a few years ago when a family dog snaffled a Christmas pudding… I’m looking at you Odin!). Toxin ingestion is an emergency so always contact your vets and get them there ASAP. Never wait and see, one raisin is enough to cause toxicity so it’s just not worth the risk!

06/12/2024

How cute are these Christmas cat toys? 😻

📌 The Nature Nook Pet shop, 1-5 Totnes Road, TQ4 5JX

06/12/2024

Hello everyone!

Looking for a cage suitable for mice if anyone is selling one (on behalf of a customer). They are looking to spend >£50 and the cage needs to be 80x50 minimum with relatively small bar spacing. Ideally they need it by Monday.

Thanks!!

05/12/2024

Neutering deadlines – XL Bully dogs

Was your XL Bully Type Dog aged at least 7 months old, but less than 12 months old on the 31 January 2024? They MUST be neutered by 31 December 2024. PLEASE contact your veterinary surgery ASAP if you have not already and need an appointment.

The deadline for neutering the youngest XL Bully dogs is to be extended following engagement with the veterinary industry.

The deadline to neuter XL Bully dogs that were less than 7 months old on the 31 January 2024 will be 30 June 2025.

It remains an offence to breed or rehome an XL Bully dog regardless of its age.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/neutering-deadlines-xl-bully-dogs

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs