High Wycombe: Reptile sanctuary proves popular following opening

Located in the Chilterns Shopping Centre, C and A Reptiles is described by the owner as a cafe, education centre, and rescue operation.

The store opened in June, offering advice to potential reptile owners on how to look after them whilst letting customers handle them for a small donation.

The store is located in the Chilterns Shopping Centre (Image: Newsquest)

These donations go towards the store’s rescue operation which helps mistreated reptiles to be rehabilitated and rehomed.

Chris Smith, the ‘C’ in C and A Reptiles said: “These animals solely rely on you so if there is a question that needs to be asked, even if that’s something silly like temperature, what they eat or what they drink then we can answer it.

“Everything needs to be learned because if you don’t get things right then the animal could pass away.

“It’s not like you can buy a bearded dragon, a snake or a tortoise and just hope for the best.

“When it comes down to rescues it’s not always a sad story, it can just be a bad break-up and someone is left with a reptile they no longer want.

“That’s where we come and take the reptile and give them a good home with ourselves or find it another home

“Some cases are a bit worst than others, for instance, we have been called to reptiles that have just been living in a box and they can barely turn around.

“It’s no way for a snake to live, you wouldn’t allow a human or a dog to live like that so why should we allow reptiles to live like that.”

The store also provides reptile parties, events, and photo shoots and has recently been given four stars in their recent licensing review.

Angela Harvey, the ‘A’ in C and A Reptiles, revealed the best part of the job is educating customers and even helping some get over their fear.

She said: “It is good to educate people, it good to get people over their fears.

“It's nice to see the kids come in and go it's something a bit different. They sit and they handle the handle and they go it's not as bad as they think.

“They go away with something a bit different so when they got to school they can say I don’t have a hamster, I have a gecko or a snake or a spider and its something a bit different for the kids to talk about."

“I enjoy doing the educating side with everything adults and kids.

“I used to be arachnophobia so I get, I have got a lot of people over their fears and it makes my heart melt when they literally get over it.”

The store has proved a popular newcomer to the town as Chris thanked everyone for supporting his passion.

He added: “We are passionate about what we do, we love what we do and we just want to make sure all the reptiles in the UK are safe.

“Animals and reptiles have always been a big passion for me, that’s what I thrive to do.

“These animals were before us and they will be here after us so we need to respect that.

“We have had a really good turn so I thank everyone that has come down and given us kind words because without them we wouldn’t be here.”

For more information about the store visit: http://candareptiles.co.uk/