On the Fly with Aniyah & Shy: Paws and Claws Animal Encounters in Ohio

Bremen, OH— If you’ve ever wanted to get up close with some of the world’s most unique animals, you don’t have to travel far.

WHIZ’s Shylin Costello and Aniyah Hart recently visited Paws and Claws Animal Encounters in Bremen, where visitors can meet and interact with animals from around the world in a more personal setting.

From playful otters and curious capybaras to sloths and other exotic species, the facility offers guests opportunities to learn about animals they may never have seen before. Unlike a traditional zoo, many of the experiences allow visitors to get much closer to the animals while learning about their behaviors, personalities and habitats.

Director Lyle Hicks said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is watching people discover animals they may have never heard of before.

“Getting to see the smiles on people’s faces when they see an animal they’ve not only not heard of, but now get to interact with,” Hicks said.

Located in the Hocking Hills region, Paws and Claws focuses on creating small, personalized experiences for guests. Hicks said the peaceful setting allows visitors to unplug and enjoy spending time with the animals while also learning about wildlife conservation.

“At the very heart of this, we’re an educational facility,” Hicks said.

Paws and Claws is home to more than 160 animals representing 54 different species. Staff say about half of the animals are rescues that arrived through owner surrenders, abandonment cases or confiscations. The remaining animals came from other zoos and wildlife facilities.

Whether visitors are feeding capybaras, meeting a sloth or swimming alongside otters, the goal is to create memorable experiences that inspire a greater appreciation for animals and conservation efforts.

More information about tours, encounters and educational programs can be found at https://pandcencounters.com.