Get to Know Animals CIC

Get to Know Animals CIC GTKA is a fully interactive animal sanctuary, that you can visit and enjoy hands on experiences with our incredible rescued or rehomed animals!
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We've over 100 different species including cute furries, reptiles, birds, amphibians, insects, aquatics & more! ESSEX'S HIDDEN GEM: AN INDOOR ANIMAL SANCTUARY! Nestled in the heart of beautiful Epping Forest, Get To Know Animals is a tropical paradise where over 300 rescued exotic pets have found their forever home. Perfect for animal lovers of all ages!

Say hello to Gabrielle! 🐠✨Isn’t she just STUNNING?! Those flowing fins and that golden glow make her look like she’s flo...
06/09/2026

Say hello to Gabrielle! 🐠✨

Isn’t she just STUNNING?! Those flowing fins and that golden glow make her look like she’s floating through the tank like royalty 👑💛

A little angelfish fact for you: freshwater angelfish are cichlids (so they’re clever little fish!) and they use their long fins to glide and manoeuvre through plants and roots in the water 🌿

Next time you visit, take a moment to slow down and watch the fish. They’re proper little characters, and it’s one of the calmest corners of the sanctuary 🧘‍♀️💚

🕙 We’re open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (and open during school holidays too).
📅 Private bookings are available on weekdays.

If you’d like to help us keep giving animals like Gabrielle a safe forever home, please consider donating here: https://gtka.co.uk/donations 🙏💚

FACE OFF! 🐢👀💥Arthur and Mrs Hewitt (our red-footed tortoises) have been caught right in the middle of a proper staring m...
05/09/2026

FACE OFF! 🐢👀💥

Arthur and Mrs Hewitt (our red-footed tortoises) have been caught right in the middle of a proper staring match… and honestly, neither of them looks like they’re backing down 😂

Little tortoise fact for you: red-footed tortoises are naturally curious and can be surprisingly social. They’ll often come over to investigate what’s going on (or who’s in their way!) especially around food time 🥬🍓

Want to see moments like this in real life? Come and have a wander through our indoor tropical sanctuary and meet our rescued and rehomed ex-pets at their pace 💚

🕙 We’re open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (and open during school holidays too).
📅 Private bookings are available on weekdays.

If you’d like to help us keep giving animals like Arthur and Mrs Hewitt a safe forever home, please consider donating here: https://gtka.co.uk/donations 🙏💚

Meet Cuban Pete! 🦎💚✨Cuban Pete is one of our absolute favourites to introduce people to because he’s calm, curious, and ...
04/09/2026

Meet Cuban Pete! 🦎💚✨

Cuban Pete is one of our absolute favourites to introduce people to because he’s calm, curious, and always looks like he’s judging our life choices (in the nicest way 😂).

So what actually is a “Cuban False Chameleon”? 🤔
Cuban false chameleons are a type of **anole lizard** (so not a true chameleon!) 🦎 They’ve got that slow, steady, watchful vibe and those brilliant eyes that make you want to lean in and say hello.

Quick myth-buster time! ✅
Chameleons don’t usually do big dramatic colour changes like people think. They mostly shift **shade** (lighter or darker) depending on mood, temperature and light… and Pete can do this too 🌿🌡️

Want to meet him in real life? Come and spend some time in our indoor tropical sanctuary and get to know our rescued and rehomed ex-pets properly, at their pace 💚

🕙 We’re open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (and open during school holidays too).
📅 Private bookings are available on weekdays.

If you’d like to help us keep giving animals like Cuban Pete a safe forever home, please consider donating here: https://gtka.co.uk/donations 🙏💚

🦎🥤 IRN & BRU! 🥤🦎Meet Irn & Bru, our green iguanas (even though Irn is rocking a very red look 😄).They’re called Irn-Bru ...
03/09/2026

🦎🥤 IRN & BRU! 🥤🦎

Meet Irn & Bru, our green iguanas (even though Irn is rocking a very red look 😄).

They’re called Irn-Bru because they originally came down to us from Scotland, driven all the way by their previous owner to start their sanctuary life here at GTKA ❤️

And Bru… if you’ve noticed that tongue constantly out, that’s not her being cheeky. Iguanas use tongue flicks to “taste” the air and take in their surroundings, and Bru is the definition of chilled while she does it 😍

A few brilliant green iguana facts:
• 🌿 They’re herbivores, built for munching leaves, flowers and veg
• 👀 They have a light-sensing “third eye” on top of their head (parietal eye) that helps detect shadows from above
• 🪭 That big flap under the chin is called a dewlap, it helps with communication and temperature control
• 🦾 Their long tail is powerful and can be used as a defence, but these two are all about the calm vibes
• 🕰️ With the right care, they can live 15–20+ years, which is why rescue and lifelong sanctuary homes matter so much

Want to come and say hello to the Scottish duo?

🕙 Opening hours: Fri–Sun 10am–5pm (and during school holidays)
📍 Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Rd, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW

🎟️ Book your visit: https://gtka.co.uk/animal-handling-experiences
💚 Please consider donating to support their forever home: https://gtka.co.uk/donations

*SUMMER HOLIDAYS FREE RETURN TICKETS NOW SENT OUT!**To all of our amazing guests that visited us for the Summer Holidays...
02/09/2026

*SUMMER HOLIDAYS FREE RETURN TICKETS NOW SENT OUT!**

To all of our amazing guests that visited us for the Summer Holidays 1hr shows, you should now have received your free return ticket via email!

(Please note this doesn't apply to all those that were general entry tickets only)

If you haven't got it, please check your spam box or let us know!

As a non-profit organisation, every single penny you spent with us has gone directly back to the animals, to cover their bedding, food, electric, vets and specialist care. Thank you so very much for helping us to love and look after them 💖

We can't wait to welcome you again soon and thank you so very much again for all your support!

Without you, there is no us 🥰

🐭❄️ SAY HELLO TO SNOW WHITE! ❄️🐭Look at that little face! This is Snow White, our tiny mouse with the biggest “excuse me...
02/09/2026

🐭❄️ SAY HELLO TO SNOW WHITE! ❄️🐭

Look at that little face! This is Snow White, our tiny mouse with the biggest “excuse me, do you have snacks?” energy 😄

A few brilliant mouse facts (because they’re WAY more impressive than people think):
• 👃 Their sense of smell is incredible, it’s how they recognise friends, find food, and explore the world
• 🥸 Those whiskers aren’t just cute, they’re like built-in sensors that help them feel textures and movement
• 🌙 Mice are usually most active at night (little nocturnal ninjas!)
• 🎶 They can make high-pitched sounds we can’t hear (ultrasonic squeaks!)
• 🧠 They’re smart and curious, they learn routines fast and love enrichment

Snow White is one of our 300+ rescued and rehomed ex-pets who now has a safe forever home here at GTKA ❤️

🕙 Opening hours: Fri–Sun 10am–5pm (and during school holidays)
📍 Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Rd, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW

🎟️ Book your visit: https://gtka.co.uk/animal-handling-experiences
💚 Please consider donating to support their forever home: https://gtka.co.uk/donations

🐍☕️ LATTE THE BALL PYTHON (carousel) ☕️🐍If you’ve ever thought snakes are “slimy” or “scary”… Latte is here to change yo...
01/09/2026

🐍☕️ LATTE THE BALL PYTHON (carousel) ☕️🐍

If you’ve ever thought snakes are “slimy” or “scary”… Latte is here to change your mind 😄

Ball pythons are basically the calm, curious introverts of the snake world, and Latte is a total sweetheart.

A few brilliant ball python facts:
• 🌍 Native to West & Central Africa
• 🌀 Their famous defence is to curl into a tight “ball” (hence the name!)
• 🌙 Mostly nocturnal, so they’re more active in the evenings
• 👃 They “taste” the air with their tongue to pick up scents
• 🔥 They have heat-sensing pits to help detect warm prey in low light
• 🕰️ In human care they can live 20–30+ years, so they’re a long-term commitment (which is why we rescue so many ex-pets)

Want to meet Latte and our 300+ rescued and rehomed ex-pets?

🕙 Opening hours: Fri–Sun 10am–5pm (and during school holidays)
📍 Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Rd, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW

🎟️ Book your visit: https://gtka.co.uk/animal-handling-experiences
💚 Please consider donating to support their forever home: https://gtka.co.uk/donations

31/08/2026

🌿 ESSEX'S MOST UNIQUE ROOM FOR HIRE: Welcome to the Community Cave! 🌿

Looking for a space that can do... well, EVERYTHING?

Our Community Cave isn't just a room - it's your ultimate flexible space where creativity meets possibility. Nestled within our Indoor Exotic Animal Sanctuary, this stunning tropical-themed venue transforms to fit YOUR vision.

Imagine hosting your event surrounded by vibrant tropical murals, sky-like ceiling panels, and soft astroturf flooring that creates a unique sensory experience. Whether you need a calm yoga retreat, somewhere for your community group to meet up, an inspiring think tank, or the most memorable birthday party ever - this space adapts to you.

Perfect for:
✓ Yoga & Wellness Sessions
✓ Business Meetings & Workshops
✓ Photography Shoots
✓ Community Groups
✓ Drama Workshops
✓ Team Building Events
✓ Therapy Sessions
✓ Coffee Mornings
✓ Book Clubs
✓ Baby Showers
✓ Scout Groups
✓ Art Classes
✓ Birthday Parties

What's Included:
• 46" Smart TV
• XL Drop-down Screen & Projector
• Superfast Unlimited WiFi
• Alexa/Speakers
• Multiple Power Outlets
• Excellent Bright Lighting
• Soft Dim Fairy Lights Option
• Wide wooden Benches (seats up to 26)
• Running Water/Sinks
• Fully Wheelchair Accessible

We also sell refreshments on site!

📍 Total room size: 4m x 11m

One room. Endless potential.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact us for a personalized quote:
📞 07944 041715
📧 [email protected]

🐹🥬 THE GUINEA PIG BREAKFAST CLUB! 🥬🐹Say hello to Kinder Beuno, Choc Chip, and our gorgeous Old Lady Scruffles! If you’ve...
31/08/2026

🐹🥬 THE GUINEA PIG BREAKFAST CLUB! 🥬🐹

Say hello to Kinder Beuno, Choc Chip, and our gorgeous Old Lady Scruffles! If you’ve ever heard that dramatic little “WHEEK WHEEK WHEEK!”, you already know guinea pigs are basically tiny fluffy snack alarms… and we love them for it 😄

A few brilliant guinea pig facts (because these little potatoes are AMAZING):
• 🌾 Hay isn’t just a treat, it’s a MUST, their teeth never stop growing, so they need constant nibbling to keep them worn down
• 🍊 Like humans, guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so they need it in their diet
• 🐾 They’re super social and feel safest with friends (a proper little herd!)
• 👀 They communicate loads, squeaks, purrs, rumbles, and even little “popcorn” jumps when they’re happy
• 🧠 They learn routines fast… especially anything involving food (obviously!)

These three are part of our 300+ rescued and rehomed ex-pets who call GTKA their forever home ❤️

🕙 Opening hours: Fri–Sun 10am–5pm (and during school holidays)
📍 Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Rd, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW

🎟️ Book your visit: https://gtka.co.uk/animal-handling-experiences
💚 Please consider donating to support their forever home: https://gtka.co.uk/donations

🐾✨ MEET HANSEL! ✨🐾Look at that little face peeping out! This is Hansel, our lesser hedgehog tenrec… and yes, he looks li...
30/08/2026

🐾✨ MEET HANSEL! ✨🐾

Look at that little face peeping out! This is Hansel, our lesser hedgehog tenrec… and yes, he looks like a hedgehog, but he’s actually not a hedgehog at all 😄

Tenrecs are one of nature’s “wait… WHAT?!” animals:
• 🌍 Native to Madagascar
• 🌙 Mostly nocturnal, so they love a cosy hidey-hole in the day
• 🪲 Built for bug-hunting (insect-eaters with a seriously good sense of smell)
• 💤 They can go into “torpor” (a deep sleep / energy-saving mode) for weeks or even months when conditions aren’t ideal
• 🧬 Fun fact: their spines are a case of “look-alike evolution” (they evolved spines separately to hedgehogs!)

If you fancy a proper chill-out day (not a wear-you-out day!), come and meet Hansel and our 300+ rescued and rehomed ex-pets ❤️

🕙 Opening hours: Fri–Sun 10am–5pm (and during school holidays)
📍 Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Rd, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW

🎟️ Book your visit: https://gtka.co.uk/animal-handling-experiences
💚 Please consider donating to support their forever home: https://gtka.co.uk/donations

Address

Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Road
Epping
CM165HW

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+442089233456

Website

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