Disclaimer

1. General Information Only

The information provided on BritExotics ("this website", "we", "us", or "our") is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any specific animal or medical condition.

This website does NOT establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship as defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). We do not diagnose, prescribe, or treat any animal health conditions. All care guides, blog articles, and other content are general in nature and may not be suitable for your individual animal's specific needs.

2. Not a Substitute for Professional Veterinary Care

Always consult a qualified exotic animal veterinarian registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for:

• Diagnosis of any health condition or behavioral issue
• Treatment recommendations or prescriptions
• Advice specific to your individual animal's health, age, species, or circumstances
• Emergency medical situations requiring immediate attention
• Changes to your animal's diet, housing, or care routine
• Clarification or verification of information found on this website

Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read on this website. If you think your exotic animal may have a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or emergency exotic animal clinic immediately.

3. Accuracy and Completeness of Information

While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about:

• The accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of any content
• The suitability of any information for your specific animal or circumstances
• The results you may achieve by following any advice or recommendations

Exotic animal care standards, veterinary practices, and UK legal requirements are subject to change. Information on this website may become outdated. We do not guarantee that all content is current or reflects the latest veterinary research, RCVS guidance, or UK legislation.

4. Species-Specific and Individual Variations

Exotic animals have highly species-specific care requirements, and individual animals within the same species may have different needs based on:

• Age, size, weight, and sex
• Pre-existing health conditions or genetic factors
• Geographic origin and subspecies variations
• Breeding history (wild-caught vs captive-bred)
• Husbandry history and previous care standards

General care guides on this website cannot account for all possible variations. Parameters such as temperature, humidity, UVB lighting, diet composition, and enclosure size must be verified with an exotic animal veterinarian or specialist for your specific animal.

5. Animal Welfare Act 2006 – Your Legal Responsibilities

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, animal owners in England and Wales have a legal duty of care to provide for their animal's welfare needs, including:

• A suitable environment (housing, temperature, lighting)
• A suitable diet (appropriate food and fresh water)
• The ability to exhibit normal behavior patterns
• Appropriate companionship or housing alone (species-dependent)
• Protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease

You are legally responsible for meeting these welfare needs. This website provides educational information to help you understand these responsibilities, but it is your legal obligation to ensure compliance. Failure to meet these duties can result in prosecution, fines, or imprisonment under UK law.

6. Exotic Animal Licensing and Legal Compliance

Some exotic animals are subject to legal restrictions in the UK, including:

• Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWA) – Licensing requirement for certain species
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – Import/export and ownership restrictions
• Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation – Prohibited species list
• Local authority restrictions – Additional bylaws in some areas

It is your responsibility to verify the legal status of any species before acquisition and to obtain all necessary licenses or permits. Information on this website about legal compliance is for general guidance only and may not reflect the latest legislation or local authority requirements. Always check with your local council and UK Government (DEFRA) for current legal requirements.

See our UK Pet Regulations page for more information.

7. Specialist Exotic Animal Veterinary Care

Not all veterinarians are qualified or experienced in exotic animal medicine. Many "small animal" veterinary practices primarily treat dogs and cats and may have limited expertise in reptiles, birds, exotic mammals, or aquatic species.

We strongly recommend that exotic animal owners:

• Seek veterinarians with specific exotic animal training and experience
• Verify RCVS registration and specialist qualifications
• Establish a relationship with an exotic vet BEFORE emergencies occur
• Ask veterinarians about their experience with your specific species

Our Vet Directory is provided as a reference tool, but we do not verify qualifications, endorse, or recommend any specific veterinary practice. See Section 8 below.

8. Veterinary Directory and Third-Party Information

The veterinary directory on this website is compiled from publicly available information. We make no representations or warranties regarding:

• The accuracy, completeness, or currency of clinic information (addresses, phone numbers, opening hours)
• The qualifications, experience, or RCVS registration status of listed veterinarians
• The quality, suitability, or appropriateness of veterinary services provided
• The availability of specific services (emergency care, specialist treatment, particular species)

Listing on this website does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. You are responsible for:

• Verifying RCVS registration via the official RCVS website (findavet.rcvs.org.uk)
• Confirming clinic opening hours, services offered, and emergency availability directly with the practice
• Assessing the suitability and quality of veterinary care for your specific animal

BritExotics is not responsible for the acts, omissions, or professional services of any veterinary practice or individual veterinarian listed on this website.

9. User-Generated Content and Third-Party Links

If this website includes user-generated content (such as reviews, comments, or forum posts), such content represents the views and opinions of individual users, not BritExotics.

We do not verify, endorse, or take responsibility for user-generated content. Users are responsible for the accuracy and lawfulness of their own contributions.

This website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties. We have no control over the content, privacy practices, or availability of external sites and do not endorse or accept responsibility for them. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk.

10. Veterinary Medicines and Product Recommendations

Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (as amended 2024):

• We do not diagnose, prescribe, or recommend prescription veterinary medicines
• Any product references are for informational purposes only and do not constitute veterinary advice
• Prescription-only medicines (POM-V) can only be prescribed by a veterinarian with an "under care" relationship with your animal

Product recommendations (such as equipment, food, or supplements) are general suggestions only and may not be appropriate for your individual animal. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new products, making dietary changes, or using supplements or treatments.

Some product links on this website may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you). This does not influence our editorial content or recommendations. See our Affiliate Disclosure for more information.

11. Use at Your Own Risk

Your use of this website and reliance on any information provided is entirely at your own risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BritExotics, its owners, contributors, and affiliated parties disclaim all liability for:

• Any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage of any kind resulting from your use of this website
• Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in website content
• Decisions made based on information found on this website
• Interruptions, delays, or unavailability of website services
• Viruses, malware, or other harmful components transmitted through this website
• Unauthorized access to or use of our servers or any personal information stored therein

13. Changes to This Disclaimer

We may update this disclaimer from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this disclaimer was last revised.

Your continued use of this website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated disclaimer. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This disclaimer is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from or relating to this disclaimer or your use of this website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact Information

If you have questions about this disclaimer, please contact us: