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Nurtured By Nature Nurtured By Nature
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  • COVID-19
  • ABOUT
    • HISTORY
    • MISSION
    • Make-A-Wish PARTNERSHIP
    • TEAM MEMBERS
    • DONORS
    • VOLUNTEER / INTERN
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  • OTTER SWIM
  • FAQ
  • SHOP
  • CONTACT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Home FAQ / Support Center

WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!

We know that you’ve got questions and sometimes the easiest thing to do is to check out the FAQ. Here we have complied some of our most frequently asked questions. Feel free to read through them, perhaps the answer you seek is here. If not, feel free to drop us a line. We promise to get right back to you, after we are done taking care of our animal ambassadors.

In the meantime, check out our Photo Gallery. You never know who you may see smiling for the cameras.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

CANCELLATION POLICY

As we get ready to launch the 2021 Otter Swim Reservation calendar after a year of COVID chaos, we have had to adjust our cancellation policy to try to make the process as fair as possible but still allow us to sustain our business.  What we mean by that is we want it to be fair for our guests, but it is also important to understand that we have animals to feed, employees to compensate, and utilities, insurances, and mortgages to pay.  We understand that in years past, getting a reservation has proven to be somewhat challenging for a lot of folks and therefore we have seen quite a bit of double booking with the intention of cancelling one date.  This unfortunately is not fair to other people trying to book dates and makes the process a lot more challenging.  Our hope is that with advanced notice of our change in policy, our guests can plan accordingly and not have to worry about it impacting their visit.  

Our new cancellation policy will be enforced as follows starting on January 1, 2021. 

  • If Nurtured by Nature/Animal Educators receives 30 days or more advance notice of cancellation, that will allow for a full refund of program fees (taking into account the multiple booking cancellation fee mentioned in item #4).
  • If less than 30 days advance notice of cancellation is received, then the reservation will be non-refundable.
  • Reservations can be transferred to another name at any time.
  • In an effort to be as fair as possible, and because we have had challenges with people abusing our previous cancellation policy, if multiple dates are booked for the same guests in a calendar year, and they need to cancel any of those reservations, then there will be a $100/person cancellation fee regardless of the amount of notice given.  This cancellation fee only applies to people who book multiple reservations in the same year.
  • The Fareharbor booking fee is not refundable.
  • This refund policy applies only to the regular Public Otter Swim Encounters. Conservation Otter Swim Encounter donations are considered a donation, not a program fee. Donations are non-refundable.
  • If the forecast is for inclement weather, we will still continue with encounters unless there is extremely bad weather, in which case we will contact you the day before the program to refund or reschedule.
  • Processing of refunds can take up to 30 days, depending on how long it takes your financial institution to credit your account, but generally it takes a couple of weeks or less.
  • Nurtured by Nature/Animal Educators reserves the right to determine reschedule or refund in the event that WE need to cancel a program.
Where Do Our Animals Come From?

All Asian Small Clawed Otters that participate in our encounters are born and raised at our facility from captive born parents that came from two different zoos (2 from Europe and 2 from North America). 

1. Some of our other animals are also born here as part of a conservation breeding program.
2. Some of our animals are surplus from other zoos, which means that they had more of one species than they needed. 
3. Some of our animals are rescues (less than perfect animals from breeders, animals from research facilities, or confiscated animals from different State Departments). 

Regardless of how the animals came to be here, we make great efforts to make sure that they are all well cared for both physically and emotionally! We are a USDA and California Fish and Wildlife permitted and inspected facility and are in excellent standing with both of these governing organizations. We work closely with two veterinarians and rely on the 30 plus years of professional exotic animal experience of our president as well as our 25 volunteers who come from the veterinary as well as the zoological world.

Where Can I Get An Asian Small Clawed Otter?

ASIAN SMALL CLAWED OTTERS DO NOT MAKE GOOD PETS

As cute and charismatic as otters are, Nurtured by Nature wants you to understand that otters, as well as most species of exotic animals, make terrible pets and are best kept in zoos and/or the wild. A short list of reasons why Asian Small Clawed Otters do NOT make good pets is as follows:

  1. Keeping otters and exotic animals is a full time job not to be taken lightly. Asian Small Clawed Otters (ASCOs) are extremely intelligent and social and should never be kept alone.
  2. ASCOs have a very fast metabolism and urinate and defecate all at the same time, something called sprainting, which they immediately smear around to mark their territory.
  3.  They are emotional animals and need lots of stimulation in the way of activities and exercise. A very important chore at Nurtured by Nature is keeping their toys and enrichment fresh and new.
  4. They have short tempers and most people, including zookeepers, learn very quickly that you do no want to cross a romp, which is what a group of ASCOs is called.

Nurtured by Nature / Animal Educators never withholds food to make an otter do something (like tricks or to go to the pool). All swims are voluntary and initiated by the otters. A hungry otter is an aggressive otter!

Can I come visit your other animals without doing the otter encounters?

Visiting Nurtured by Nature is by RESERVATION ONLY. Currently we only have the one inclusive otter swim encounter that includes interacting with the other animals as well as the otters. Right now we do not have an encounter without the otters.

What is the water temperature and how long will we be in the pool?

We generally keep the water temperature between 90-93 degrees and pool time usually lasts between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how long the otters want to swim.

I know that you are completely booked, but can’t you make an exception for me?

All of our programs are voluntary for the otters and if we do too many swim encounters then the otters no longer enjoy it and it can become an undesirable situation. Your safety and our otters’ welfare are our two top priorities and this is why we limit the number of interactions. The schedule is based on that and making sure that we keep availability for the Make-A-Wish kids as well.  Because of the limited space, we are unable to fit extra people in if reservations are full.

When will next year’s calendar be open and is there a waiting list?

We have not determined when we will be opening up next year’s dates but will post any new developments on Facebook as they happen.  The waiting list was for the Otterz Only Playland, but has become so full that we are discontinuing the waiting list. 

What is the minimum age to participate in the Otter Swim Encounters?

We no longer allow guests under the age of 18 years for our NON-Make-A-Wish otter swim encounters.  Younger participants often have shorter attention spans, much higher energy levels, and sometimes have trouble following safety instructions.  It is for this reason that we have increased the age limit, which is based on actual and repeated experience.  As much as we hate placing limits, our most important priority is keeping people and animals safe. 

Are you REALLY booked up years in advance?

Social media and word of mouth have been extremely helpful in making people aware of Nurtured by Nature.   As a result, all public and private programs for a year are now full but we most likely will see cancellations.   We recommend that you check the online calendar often so that if someone does cancel, you can book the spot at that time.  The calendar will not give you access unless a cancellation has occurred and that date is still available.  Cancellations generally fill up within minutes of showing available.  Because of this we no longer offer gift certificates.

Is this program open to the public or is it only available to kids in need?

The Otter Encounters at Nurtured by Nature were created to bring joy to children in need through interaction with animals.  In an effort to help support the operating expenses associated with these programs, we do offer public and private donor programs on a limited basis by reservation only. 

Questions? We can help! Just drop us a line and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Find us on

Recent Posts

  • Animal Enrichment Projects
  • Sustainable Breeding Program
  • Make Your Dream of Swimming with Baby Otters Come True
  • The California Paradise Where You Can Swim With Otters
  • People Swim With Otters For The First Time
 

  • BEST DAY EVER!

    Was this real life? From the moment we arrived at Nurtured by Nature we were welcomed into their amazing home. The animals are incredibly well taken care of and loved, plus everyone was knowledgeable and passionate! This was truly one of the greatest days of my life.

    The hands on experience is something that I will never forget! Nurtured by Nature works with some amazing organizations, including Make a Wish, further proving how remarkable the people at this phenomenal facility are!

    Trisha Renee
    Facebook Review
  • A SPECIAL SURPRISE

    This was such an amazing experience! I would absolutely go back again, and I have already referred quite a few friends should go as well. Such wonderful animals they get to see , experience and interact with.

    The Otters were so much fun and so playful it definitely was one of my biggest dreams to come true. The pool is heated, and the staff cannot be nicer. Thank you, it really was an amazing experience and I will definitely be back to see you guys and the Otters!

    Jennifer Dziubala
    Facebook Review
  • MAKE-A-WISH

    We visited as part of my daughters Make A Wish trip. What an incredible experience. They went above and beyond to make sure Cassidy as well as the rest of the family had the most amazing experience!

    They are clearly committed to the care of their animals and want to share their love and knowledge of each of them with us.

    Thank you again to Wendy, Kevin, Brittani, and Dave from the bottom of my heart.

    Jeana White Rodgers
    Facebook Review
  • BUCKET LIST

    One of the highlights of my life. A true dream come true and an item checked off the bucket list. So thankful to have been able to be part of something so unique. The animals are treated like part of the family and are extremely well taken care of. I enjoyed interacting and learning about all of the creatures.

    The highlight of the day was getting a kiss from one of the otters! I will treasure these memories forever. Thank you for opening your home to us, and for all that you do for the animals and children.

    Sasha Zigler
    Facebook Review

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Latest News

  • Animal Enrichment Projects
  • Sustainable Breeding Program
  • Make Your Dream of Swimming with Baby Otters Come True
  • The California Paradise Where You Can Swim With Otters
  • People Swim With Otters For The First Time

Nurtured By Nature

  • P.O. Box 1675
  • Valley Center, CA 92082
  • nurturedbynature01@gmail.com

© 2021 Nurtured By Nature

  • HOME
  • COVID-19
  • ABOUT
    • HISTORY
    • MISSION
    • Make-A-Wish PARTNERSHIP
    • TEAM MEMBERS
    • DONORS
    • VOLUNTEER / INTERN
    • CONSERVATION
  • OTTER SWIM
  • FAQ
  • SHOP
  • CONTACT