Animal Direction, a leading pet casting agency based in Salford’s Media City, is celebrating after members of its furry roster landed roles in high-profile shows for ITV and Netflix.
The latest casting wins come during a record-breaking year, with one of its clients recognised by BAFTA, and annual turnover breaking the £100K barrier this year.
Manchester-based founder and director Davinia Hamilton-Maddox set up Animal Direction as a hobby business in 2012 following the completion of a catalogue for a pet brand client. Since then, the unique animal casting agency has grown massively, now with seven staff based across the country to meet national demand.
Animal Direction, which puts the welfare of its clients first, has worked with major pet brands such as Harringtons and Pets at Home, as well as supporting household names including Wren Kitchens and Holland & Barrett with the provision of well-trained and well-looked after animal thespians.
Hamilton-Maddox and her team are known for their professional-yet-caring approach, and the ability to offer additional services through their Vet on Set and animal training offerings.
She said: “I’m thrilled with the unprecedented success of Animal Direction and we’re going from strength to strength collaborating with major producers and casting directors on high-profile shows. The welfare of our animals is top priority for my agency and I’m proud of our nationwide availability of cats, dogs, snakes, rabbits, horses and more, meaning we can get to any location, ensuring the animals are not having to travel far, that they are looked after and therefore they can do their best for the shoot with minimal takes.”
One of the agency’s proudest moments to date was to see their client, Chilli the Fox Red Labrador, being featured in footage for Channel 4’s Late Night Lycett BAFTA nomination earlier this year, and the show went on to win the best comedy entertainment category.
Animal Direction’s latest star turns see pets shooting for a number of upcoming series. Notably, German Shepherd Envy and Dachshund Ron share the set with Siobhan Finneran in ITV’s Protection, while Cocker Spaniel Pye and an entire litter of puppies line up alongside Richard Armitage in Netflix’s latest Harlan Coben adaption Missing You. Both are set for release later this year.
Leila Alice Smith, a freelance art director who has worked at well-known production houses including All3 and Hat Trick, added: “I have been working with Davinia and the team for a number of years casting different animals for tv shows. They are absolutely great to deal with and their genuine care for the animals and their owners is clear to see with an approach that is far from a transaction.”
