Animal Code of Ethics

We are beekeepers and big fans of (most) insects! Seasonally we offer live honey bees, queen bees, and have added butterfly larvae and mantid ootheca for educational purposes. As stewards of living creatures, we are committed to the ethical sourcing, care, handling, and distribution of live animals. Our decisions are rooted in the principles of respect for life, environmental responsibility, and the long-term health and sustainability of these animals.

1. Animal Welfare Comes First

We prioritize the physical health, natural behaviours, and overall wellbeing of animals above all else. This means we do not accommodate customer holiday schedules, personal calendars, or special requests for alternate delivery dates or times. Live animal logistics require careful coordination with environmental conditions, life stages, people and transport timing. These systems are not flexible in the way typical retail or gift deliveries are. Our policies exist to protect the animals—not to meet convenience expectations.

2. Responsible Timing and Pick-Up

We only ship or deliver animals when environmental conditions such as departure and arrival temperatures are optimal for their survival and development. Orders may be delayed, rescheduled, or declined if conditions pose a risk.

Customers are expected to pick up their animals within the designated window provided at time of purchase or notification. Notifications will be sent to the email address the customer used at check out. It is the customer's responsibility to read the product description thoroughly and if it is not clear at the time of purchase, confirm pickup dates which can be done by phone, email, checking social media or our website. If animals are not picked up at the scheduled time or window, animals will be rehomed or donated to a suitable recipient to ensure their welfare. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances, as clearly stated in our purchase terms. If the animal was purchased with housing (eg. butterfly flight cage), this will be transferred with the animals and no refund offered.

 

3. Ethical Sourcing and Breeding

All animals are sourced or bred using humane, sustainable, and ecologically sound practices. We do not support practices that contribute to the decline of native populations or disrupt local ecosystems.

 

4. Education is Your Responsibility

We provide educational resources and references to support responsible care of these animals. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to educate themselves before receiving the animal. 

 

5. Habitat Respect and Integration

We encourage integration with local ecosystems and discourage releases in inappropriate habitats where the insects may struggle to survive or harm native species. Where applicable, we consult with local guidelines and authorities.

 

6. Transparency and Timing

We clearly communicate the reasons behind any delays, refusals, or cancellations due to animal welfare concerns. However, it’s important to understand that the timing of live animal shipments is inherently unpredictable. The emergence, development, and readiness of living organisms are influenced by temperature, weather, and other natural factors. Our standards for animal welfare also require flexibility. As such, shipment details are subject to change even up to the day of shipping to ensure the safe and ethical transport of these animals.

 

7. Continuous Learning and Improvement

We do our best to stay informed about best practices in entomology, beekeeping, and environmental sciences. Our policies evolve as we learn more, and we welcome feedback from researchers, educators, and conservationists.