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Welcome to TSKA Exotics: Exotic Species Consultancy Services

"Professional & Specialist Exotics Keepers"

TSKA Exotics as a business comprises of five main consultants: Rory Matier & Jodie Lynn, Gary & Nicky Emery and Michelle Rhodes.


In the main this Websites' focus is on exotic livestock sales, husbandry, responsible ownership, animals and keepers' rights, politics and legislation.

What is a Professional and what is a Specialist Keeper?

It comes down to an independant belief due to there being no precisely written standards on what is compliant with each identity.

Some may perceive the term professional to mean 'Qualified' in so far as having certifications from their chosen field of expertise, or qualified in a more generalised aspect of their field/s.

And yet this could be classed as 'Professional', especially if the certifications have come from a recognised awarding body.

There is of course higher education that individuals can take from the basic qualification to much higher levels of certification and achievement.

Whilst we agree that qualifications is a committed step towards professionalism, the learning curve is ongoing throughout our lives, and education and the ability to learn is displaying that the individual has the motivation to absorb, digest and understand what is presented before them.

And we acknowledge this process.

But it also takes an individual who is quite possibly previously experienced with animal keeping to possess the ability to take on board qualified learning process's.

As many parties whom pay heed towards the 'qualified professional' in so far as we have just discussed, there are many others who say that a keeper who has been awarded licencing such as the DWAL [Dangerous Wild Animals' Licence] is a sure fire candidate for professionalism.

Now this too holds some credit, for to be awarded this particular licence or similiar such licence in connection with the keeping and maintaining of  animal species is clearly a recognition from the local governmental office, DEFRA that the successful applicant is to be seen as a professional.

But this is only applicable to species that are held within the Dangerous Wild Animal Licence [in connection with Exotic Species] where does that leave the 'specialist keeper' who does not hold species held within the licencing structure?

But we do acknowledge holders of awarded licencing.

But in so saying, this licencing just represents that the individual is an experienced keeper who has met with success the criteria laid down by the governing body.

So whilst we accept both of the above as serious contributions towards being classed as a professional keeper, what else is there?

I think that one of the most important features that is oft overlooked due to a confusion with the word itself is experience, the way an individual conducts herself or himself with the animals they maintain.

An experienced keeper will easily pass the criteria laid down by the licencing authorities, and they will by all means be able to adopt the learning curve process with ease, but in the latter what should happen if they have the ability but not the time?

My personal opinion is that an individual keeper can be classed as a professional in any field if they are able to display to others their complete understanding of the animals they are working with. This is not saying that they know everything - for as previously stated - we learn every day of our lives, and in the case of licencing they will use their experience in their application.

But in the case of the Professional Keeper & Specialist Exotics Keeper, l do believe that this statement would and could be held aloft.

"A keeper with considerable and knowledgeable experience in the captive husbandry of animals. Keeping their species in as as close to their natural environment as possible - either in a personal fulfillment capacity or in a zoological establishment employed capacity".

Whilst this does very specifically seemingly apply to the 'exotics keeper' alone, l think in the case of feline, canine and equine professional keepers, whilst not specifically tied into exotic fields, they should see what we are stipulating here.

That above all, be you a professional keeper or a specialist exotic keeper specialising in a particular field, that what is paramount in the broad picture is being able to 'conduct animal welfare for your species in a professional manner'


Is this not also the sign of a professional keeper?

TSKA Exotics is one of the largest independant exotic species advertising venues in the UK. As a consultancy we serve the private specialist exotic keepers of the United Kingdom.

Our overall aim is to try and have available to the exotic keeper a Website that is a full service site and in so doing we actively promote the issues raised in the opening paragraph.

The Consultancy is based in Lincolnshire, although we do not hold any of the animals that our clients have for sale.

Due to the nature of our business we do carry out a screening protocol with all of the species that we have available for purchase via our client base. We do this for the safe guard of the species we display for sale within our advertisements, and also for the benefit of our client base, so that they may see that their animals are going to the right ownership, with the right level of experience and husbandry skill level. 

Whilst we do act as consultants for our clients we do not just provide this within the service package but do try to encourage novice and existing keepers on the entire concept of responsible ownership of exotic animals within our currently heavily accented political and legislation governed climate.