NOAH`S ARK
REPTILE & ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE & SANCTUARY
Earnley Butterflies and Gardens, 133 Almodington Lane, Earnley,Chichester W.Sussex PO20 7JR
TEL:
07961 516731
Open to visitors daily (closed 24-26th
Dec.)
10am-5pm March-October
10am-4pm October-march
(admissions charges apply)
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E-mail address
noahs-ark@freeuk.com
Web address
www.noahs-ark.freeuk.com
Telephone no 07961 516731
Based at: Earnley Butterflies &
Gardens
133 Almodington Lane, Earnley,
Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7JR
http://www.earnleybutterfliesandgardens.co.uk/
Who are we?
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Noah’s Ark is a family run rescue centre, which has been in operation since 1992. Starting out with a few unwanted pets at our home in Chichester, by 2002 housed nearly two hundred birds, small animals and reptiles. By this time, the waiting list continually grew and grew, larger premises had to be found. In the beginning of 2003, the owner of Earnley Butterflies and Gardens offered us an area of land and several buildings, which included a large glasshouse to operate Noah’s Ark from. This we accepted gratefully, and after a year of clearing, building and a lot of sleepless nights, the animals moved over to the new centre ready to be open to the public for March 2004. We now look after nearly 400 animals. We have at last at our new centre, a hospital unit for sick and quarantined animals. This was one of the areas that we so desperately needed in the past. (So much better than our kitchen.)We also now have an education and information centre, which displays a selection of general information on animals and reptiles and other interesting facts and materials. |
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What we do
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We look after all small animals, tortoises and reptiles that have been abandoned, neglected, or injured, and those who just need a new home. All reptiles and tortoises that come to us are not rehoused and therefore will remain at Noah’s Ark. Small animals like rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas etc are available for rehoming. Some however, do have psychological or medical problems and therefore may not be suitable for re-housing. These will also remain with at Noah’s Ark. |
Sorry,
but we do not take cats or dogs.
What can Noah’s Ark do for you?
Noah’s Ark offers a boarding service for
most small animals and reptiles.
Noah’s Ark offers friendly advice on all
aspects of animal care.
Noah’s Ark offers work experience
placements for students attending schools, colleges etc.
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Turtles & Terrapins
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We have large Red Eared Terrapins, which live in our pond in the greenhouse. These are full-grown and are about 10" in size. All these have outgrown their original homes and the previous owners can now not house them anymore. This is an ongoing problem, when they are small, they look so cute and the size of a matchbox, can easily be kept in tanks but unfortunately grow quite quickly to the size of a diner plate. It is possible to hibernate terrapins for a short time over the winter period. They must have at least two foot of soil to bury themselves in if you intend to let them hibernate naturally or they can be boxed in a cold area. We keep ours awake all winter. The pond water must be kept up to temperature of approx. 22°c to much below this they can not feed and will eventually stave. Most pet shops are so eager to sell these little things, but not so eager to mention the size they grow to. Terrapins will eat almost anything, but commercially made dried terrapin food is quite adequate as it contains all the vitamins and minerals that they need. Our Florida soft shell turtle has his own pond, where he can bury himself in the sand and gravel. All soft shell turtles must have good, clear water to avoid any shell infections. They can be very aggressive and needs to be handled with care. |
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Iguanas
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If we have a favourite, it must be our Iguana, Purdy. We have had her since March 98, she was very poorly when she came to us. The owner was a student who thought he had every thing right for, where in fact it was all wrong. She had radiation poisoning, due to a UV tube from a sun bed, and became so week that our vet did not think that she would make it. It took a long time, but she pulled through and given the right environment, made a good recovery. Iguanas come from the tropical rain forests where it is hot and very humid. With a temperature controlled unit with constant spraying to increase the humidity level we regained the environment that was needed. Two years later though, she started laying infertile eggs, but after the first egg she never stopped. On the advice of our vet, we had no option but to have her spayed. The operation was full of unexpected problems, an egg had burst inside her and she had developed peritonitis. The operation lasted over an hour because of her problems. She seemed to have recovered well and was allowed home. She was quite lively at first but over the next few weeks refused all food offered, even her favourite, marmalade on toast. She became dehydrated and had to be tube fed every day. She caused us a lot of concern. But eventually pulled through again and became a happy and healthy Iguana as she is still today. We have many iguanas, most with a story to tell. We are pleased to report though, that they are now all happy and healthy. |
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Snakes
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Snakes are one of the most common of exotic pets, (especially the large ones,) that become unwanted. We have several snakes at the centre ranging from corn snakes to the large Burmese Pythons. Georgie, our largest Python was only 2 years old when she first arrived and now, three years later has now reached 15ft. She is yet, not full grown. These snakes and many other of her size need specialized care, and are not suitable as pets. Simba, our Boa Constrictor, was a custom seizure from Guernsey. Along with a second Boa called Nala, they were brought over from the island to Noah's Ark by the RSPCA. She has become quite a celebrity recently, and has featured in many local newspapers. We also have at our centre, Corn Snakes, Royal Pythons, Yellow Rat Snakes, Brazilian Rainbows. |
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Tortoises
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Our main areas are tortoises. We have both different kinds of Mediterranean and tropical tortoises at the centre. They all live together in small groups of their own kind. It is never advisable to mix different species of tortoise together. During spring and summer all the Mediterranean tortoises i.e. Spur Thighs, Herman’s, Marginated and Horsefeilds, are outside munching away on the wild plants that have grown. Tortoises come to us for many reasons. A lot have been custom seizures, that are wild caught. These have been smuggled into Britain, destined for the pet trade. Many older people have left their tortoises with us as they feel that they can no longer give them the attention they need., As we do not rehoused tortoises, their owners often come and visit them and even send them Christmas cards. Annie, is our Leopard tortoise. These tortoises are tropical and therefore do not hibernate. Leopard tortoises grow very large and needs intense housing. When it is nice and hot in the summer, she likes nothing better but to graze away on the grass. This is very important to them, as grazing helps their digestive system. In the winter, she has a large heated area in our reptile house. She is quite happy here, but nothing beats going outside. Percy is an African Spur Tortoise, and is the third largest of the land tortoises. Percy was born during 2000, and now at five years old weighs just over two stone. He has a lot of growing to do yet, as he will not be his full size until he is over twenty years old. If you would like to sponsor Percy or Annie, please go to our sponsorship page on this web site. |
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All
our tortoises are monitored by surveillance cameras, and are removed from the
premises at night.
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Chinchillas
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We a large Chinchilla house which houses nearly 30 Chinchillas. Most of these have been unwanted pets but since they have settled well in a group have bred over the years. These family orientated rodents originate from the high areas of the Andes. They are beautiful animals, their fur, so dense it was bred for the fur coat trade. This fortunately this has been wiped out now, since real fur is no longer fashionable. Chinchillas like cold, dry conditions. Since there is hardly any rainfall in the Andes their coats are not oiled based. They are lively little things, but once tamed, they are friendly and like nothing better to run all over you, especially when you have their favourite treat in your hands. They do need a lot of space to run around in and a lot of care and attention. |
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Our aviary
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Since moving to Earnley Gardens, Noah's Ark now takes care of the main tropical bird aviary. This is a large area where birds fly around freely and visitors can walk amongst them. It houses different species of parrots, lovebirds, parakeets, cockatiels, finches, budgies and others. |
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SOME
OF THE ANIMALS AND REPTILES AT NOAHS ARK
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These are only a few of the animals and
reptiles we have here at Noah’s Ark.
If you have a reptile or other animal you
can no longer care for, for whatever reason, Noah’s Ark will try to take them,
though places are now limited, or help you get in touch with someone else.
Please do not release them into the wild -
they will not survive.
IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL TO RELEASE ANY ANIMAL
WHO ARE NON-NATIVE TO THIS COUNTRY
The Noah’s Ark Animal and Reptile Rescue
Centre and Sanctuary rely totally on sponsorships and donations.
We receive no financial help from any
authority.
All our staff are voluntary and work long
hours to help care for the animals. Without them, Noah’s Ark would not be able
to operate.
Sponsorships
You can sponsor any of the animals that we
have here at Noah’s Ark individually for the yearly amount shown. in return,
you will receive a certificate of sponsorship, photograph, four newsletters,
plus your name on our plaque.
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Corn Snake.......................... £45 per year |
Bearded Dragons.................... £40 per year |
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Yellow RatSnake.................. £45 per year |
Mediterranean Tortoises......... £50 per year |
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BurmesePython.................... £50 per year |
Plated Lizard.......................... £40 per year |
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Boa Constrictors.................. £50 per year |
Misc.Geckos........................... £40 per year |
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Royal Pythons..................... £45 per year |
The Bird aviary ...................... £40 per year |
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Leopard Tortoise................. £50 per year |
Chinchillas ............................. £35 per year |
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African Spur Tortoise.......... £50 per year |
Goats...................................... £30 per year |
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Bells Hingeback................... £50 per year |
Chipmunks............................. £35 per year |
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Iguanas................................ £40 per year |
Malayan Box Turtle ............... £30 per year |
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Water Dragons..................... £40 per year |
Rabbits/Guinea-pigs................ £25 per year |
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The Terrapin Pond .............. £40per year |
Rodent House......................... £35 per year |
If you would like further information on sponsoring an
animal, please e-mail us at: - noahs-ark@freeuk.com
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Finally…
If you can help us in any way please get in touch.
THANKYOU