About Our Animal Model Agency
The subject matter of a Reuters short film, we are a London-based animal acting agency/animal model agency founded by the team behind Lilliput the Maltese – the only acting dog in the world to be accredited by BAFTA and who played the celebrated role of Bark Ruffalo at their 2024 Awards ceremony alongside David Tennant and Michael Sheen.
Led by Paula Stewart, the sole female in the UK with a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence, our agents cast animals for film, television and print. We hire animals of all species. Utilising the latest technology in telemetry tracking, radio communications, GPS locators and handling equipment, the agency is at the forefront of the animal model and animal acting industry.
Ethos
We believe the set should be a positive and fun place for an animal. It’s inevitable that this will ultimately show in their performance on camera. So, for us as a pet talent agency, it’s essential that the well-being of our talent comes first. We achieve this by ensuring brand partners and pet parents are accurately informed on how to set up their animals for success: to understand the process of selecting, training, working with and thinking like them. Seeing things from our talent’s perspective is worth this small effort and can also result in the saving of time (and money) for the entire production.
History
Paula began her career working as a celebrity and music agent. It was in this capacity, whilst assisting production companies, advertising firms, media houses and all major television and radio channels, that she established long-standing industry relationships and an unrivalled contacts book.
Having migrated into the animal actor casting sphere many years ago, Paula has acquired substantial specialist knowledge and experience in the handling and casting of all species. Now the Managing Director of an animal model and pet talent agency with an incredibly diverse roster of talent on its books, Paula is proud to lead an amazing team that always puts the animals’ welfare first.
Our animal acting agency has recently worked with clients including Disney, Loewe, BAFTA, Ralph Lauren, Paramount+, 20th Century Fox, Vogue, Tesco, Louis Vuitton, RSPCA, Aldi, Gucci, IKEA, River Island, MSGM, Good Housekeeping, Reuters, Pets at Home, Hermes, Ford Motors, Warner Bros, Me & Em, QVC, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, NowTV and many more.
Vet on Set
Although not yet always a legal requirement, we can provide an on-set vet for your shoot. This helps ensure that the animals remain healthy and comfortable at all times. We strongly encourage anyone or any agency working with animal models to secure a vet in attendance, just as a first-aider is always in situ for the humans.
Lights, Camera, Action!
We are proud of our reputation within the industry as a leading pet and animal talent agency and we commit to working kindly, promptly and professionally at all times.
If you have any questions or queries about filming with animal models and actors, please do just contact our agency. Whether you’re searching for animal models or actors in respect of film, TV, adverts or photoshoots, we’d be delighted to assist you in selecting, training and filming the right animal talent for your particular brief.
Meet the Team
Step behind the curtain and immerse yourself in The Animal Talent Ltd’s Meet The Team gallery – an exquisite mosaic of expertise and passion starring our visionary director, maestros of wildlife holding Dangerous Wild Animal licences, virtuoso trainers, intuitive behaviourists and the brilliant minds shaping our office dynamics – from legal luminaries and technical wizards to the creative genius of our social media managers. Each frame captures not just faces, but a carefully curated cumulative spirit that propels our animal model agency forward. This is where our essence of talent converges, creating a symphony that defines The Animal Talent Ltd’s unparalleled dramatis personae. Witness the harmony of dedication, ethics, expertise and creativity as we invite you into the heart of our extraordinary collective.
The only UK agent with a Dangerous Wild Animal licence, Paula has 20 years' experience in entertainment. She has focused solely on animal handling for filming since 2012, working for eminent names such as Paramount, Disney, ITV, Hermes et al.
With qualifications in animal behaviourism, Paula adopts many dogs, cats and exotics. She has an interest in herpetology, having lived with 20 different species of reptiles and amphibians.
Licensed under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, Paila is also DBS cleared.
Rob has over 25 years' experience in handling animals from tigers to toucans for film, TV, ads and photoshoots. He has worked with household names all over the world, on Hollywood movies and with professional clients such as National Geographic, Sky, Netflix, Disney,ITV and the BBC.
He is fully licensed under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (England) Regulations) 2018 and The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Importantly Rob is motivated by compassion and kindness; animal welfare is always prioritised and he lives happily alongside the animals with whom he works.
Christie and Matt have over 25 years' of experience in the compassionate handling of exotics.
They posses licences under both The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (England Regulations) 2018 and The Dangerous Wild Animals Act
1976. Both are fully Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.
Replicating animals* natural wild habitats, this intrepid couple work with 12ft pythons, unusual lizards, incredible inverts, crocodilians and a whole host of other exotic species. They are fully adept at working with actors including children and mature individuals.
Fran is an international dog trainer, travelling around the world doing behaviour and training work.
A champion of positive reward based bite and protection work, Fran is an advocate of working with the dog's physicality and health with mondioring and nutrition high on the focus list.
Julie is an experienced certified trick dog instructor and teacher of Do More With Your Dog. As the proud parent to Barnaby, a Grand Champion Trick Dog, Julie is also an Animal Actor Certified Evaluator and a Pro level trainer with Absolute Dogs.
With her own obedience and trick training school in London in which she frequently uses games as a basis for learning, Julie also practices as a Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach and an approved volunteer trainer with the charity Dog A.l.D.
Julie excels at pre training assessments and excels at setting dogs up for studio success.
Ola is a positive trainer specialising in agility and other dog sports including canicross.
An impressive Crufts competitor, she also competes in the World Agility Open as well as practising bite and protection work.
Ola travels internationally with her dogs, competing in the world's most eminent competitions.
Aleksandra is a positive, reward based trainer of over eight years standing, specialising in spaniels but working with all dogs, particularly high energy working breeds.
She is a renowned master of training for heel work, Gundog work, tricks, manners and obedience as well as being a qualified behaviourist.
Aleks is an accredited dog training instructor with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, a Mantrailing UK instructor and a UK College of Scent Dogs instructor. Three of Aleks's dogs are in training as operational scent detection dogs.
As a youth, Sidney showed in American Quarter Horse Association and in American Paint Horse Association events, going on to win the Hunter Under Saddle World Show multiple times during the 2010s.
She has always connected with and helped troubled or abused animals, be it in the barn training horses, on the streets training dogs, or in animal hospitals. Sidney spent 18 years working in emergency animal medicine in Los Angeles.
A respected horse and dog handler, after moving to London in 2019, her life continues to revolve around her training abilities, now working with animals in the media environment.
Dawn is a qualified force free trick trainer and member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainer. She is also a certified Trick Dog Instructor, an Animal Actor Certified Evaluator.
Additionally Dawn is an authorised trainer for multiple associations such as World Scent Dog Association, Real Dog Yoga, UK Disc Dogs Association, Mantrailing UK, Do More With Your Dog and UK Sniffer Dogs.
Dawn has worked with TV dog trainers Nando Brown and Jo-Rosie Haffenden and has substantial experience of working in TV on shows such as Channel 4s critically acclaimed Rescue Dog to Super Dog.
A member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, Holley has over ten years' experience in positive training.
She is a graduate of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Trainers and is listed under the UK Dog Training Charter. A sought after scentwork instructor, Holley also participates in Placeboard Training for charities and delivers pet education talks for Blue Cross.
Specialist qualifications include Canine First Aid and CPD accreditations in Welfare & Nutrition, Canine Massage, Clicker Training, Canine Welfare Grooming, Dog Law and T-Touch; all essential skills for working with animal models!
Roz is the resident behaviourist for Blue Pet Co and Nutriment. Credits include The One Show and BBC Radio where she appears as an expert. She is a guest speaker for The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.
Delivering European seminars, Roz writes widely in veterinary journals. Holding a Clinical Animal Behaviour Master's Degree, she is accredited by CAB Certification Ltd and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Memberships include the Animal Behaviour & Training Council, the Professional Association of Canine Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants.
Annie has a fundamental understanding of the way dogs think and how this affects their behaviours; an imperative asset for working on productions with dog actors and models.
As a graduate of Exeter University with a degree in Animal Behaviour, she uses a scientific and evidence based approach to working with animals which assists her in directing their behaviours on set and in the studio.
Annie prides herself on using positive reinforcement based training. She also has a Bark Certificate of Excellence and is a proud member of the Guild of Dog Trainers.
A qualified behaviourist with The International School of Canine Psychology and Behaviour, Dawn is also a member of the International Companion Animal Network, qualified in UK Rural Skills and a trainer and seminar deliverer with Pro Trainings UK.
A trainer of agility and scent work, she has been rated in the top three trainers with The Best Rated for four years in succession.
Using positive training, Dawn helps rehabilitate dogs by working with rescue shelters. Her experience has helped former shelter dogs become confident dog actors, starring on screen and in print promoting world-renowned brands.
Having been trained by the world-renowned Dog Behaviourist Gwen Bailey, Ella is a fully certified Tutor with Puppy School. Ella is also fully qualified and accredited with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, as a positive reinforcement dog behaviourist.
She is additionally a full member of the Pet Professional Guild and uses her behavioural knowledge to guide dogs on set.
Ella's work has been featured in both print and film as a feature for The Guardian, discussing all aspects of her impressive career as a dog behaviourist and handler.
Fabian is an exotics, wildlife and small animal veterinarian with extensive experience of on set work, monitoring animal health and mental well-being during performances in studios or on location.
With a large social media presence, Fabian is well respected in his field of study and his opinions carry gravitas; he is the featured expert in documentaries such as 'Britain's Puppy Boom' and impressively he has won the BVA Young Veterinarian of the Year Award.
His love for exotics and knowledge of a vast array of species is unrivaled, making Fabian an invaluable member of your production lineup.
Alison graduated from the University of Montreal in 2006 and worked in veterinary Accident and Emergency for over twelve years.
Based in London, Alison has been working on film sets throughout the UK for five years.She has been involved in large and small scale productions with brands such as Netflix, the BBC, Sky, John Lewis, Halifax and Vitality.
Prepared and ready to step in, in the unlikely event of an acute medical emergency on set, Ali is an indispensable member of the team.
Rachel qualified from Ohio State in 2010.
In addition to working as a small animal veterinarian, she specialises in Animal Health and has been working on set for nine years.
While Rachel's primary concern will always be the animal talent's welfare logistics, she adds value as an extra pair of hands trouble-shooting tricky situations if they arise; she works towards solutions with which everyone will feel comfortable.
Additionally Rachel frequently adds value by offering pre filming advice, where beneficial.
Planning for your shoot is made substantially more efficient with Rachel's timely input!
Jeremy is our Digital Marketing Manager.
With an illustrious career in prestigious multinational agencies, he has left an indelible mark on the social media landscape; his expertise shines through his mastery of global campaigns, where he seamlessly blends creativity with strategic prowess. His journey is a tapestry of successful collabs with renowned brands, bringing a wealth of experience to the agency.
Jeremy is not just a digital marketing manager - he's a trendsetter, a storyteller and a networking virtuoso. His dynamic approach and creative vision elevate our presence in the digital realm.
Esteemed barrister Adam heads our legal team. With a robust commercial background, he spent 15 years practising in Lincoln's Inn representing celebrities and national press.
As the guardian of interests for both our professional and lay clients, his role extends to crafting meticulous contracts and skilfully navigating complex licensing regulations in the sphere of animal talent.
Adam's leadership and legal prowess anchor us, ensuring excellence in every operational facet. His decorated career stands as testament to our overarching commitment to legal and ethical excellence for our people and animals.
Stewart is our Web Alchemist and the digital custodian to the forefront of innovation at The Animal Talent Ltd.
He and his team creatively conjure captivating online experiences by weaving code into visual magic, while standing as the vigilant guardian ensuring the seamless development, maintenance and evolution of our online realm. By consistently embracing emergent technology, Stewart skilfully shapes the virtual landscape of excellence for the agency.
We are proud to announce Stewart as an award winner at the 2021 Media Innovator Awards 2021.
