Models Direct’s love for animals is next-level adoration which is why, when we set up our agency thirty years back, our expert team made a solid decision that we would also focus on pet modelling. 

It’s an exciting industry but we’re not just saying this! We’ve seen so many of our cute furry friends, no matter what species they are, have the spotlight shine on them for different sorts of campaigns over the years and it doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down any time soon either! 

We’re serious about getting our adorable animal stars featured in the next campaign when a client pops in a request with our team, and making it a successful one! But why do brands even need a pet model when they could just use any animal in their campaign instead of going through an agency with all that hard work involved?

With Models Direct, it isn’t hard work! What we provide is a comprehensive structure for both our models and clients and in this case, clients are presented with reliable models who understand the demands and expectations of the modelling industry due to their ongoing experience with our agency. This is why so many owners put their pet’s application forward with us. 

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Firstly, our application is online making it convenient and easy for owners. It’s open 24/7 so you can apply any time. 

After this, one of our dedicated modelling specialists will be in touch with you via phone. They’ll talk in-depth about our agency and understand your goals, hopes and aspirations for your pet. They’ll also walk you through what a typical modelling booking looks like and if you’re happy to go ahead, they’ll begin the registration process where they’ll get your pet officially on their books as a Star Pet model! 

What follows could be a casting call or hopefully a call from your assigned coordinator informing you that a client has liked the look of your pet and they want to hire your companion. This stage could also involve you heading to our jobs board where we post regular ads for pet modelling gigs which you can directly apply for yourself.

Some examples include: 

Guinea pig/rabbit requested for a video shoot
Pet dog models who were required for a commercial
2-3 puppies needed for a project shoot
Pet cat models required for a commercial

There’s a wide variety of requests where we see not just cats and dogs getting booked with top-tier clients but rabbits, hedgehogs and other species. Our animal database is vast and our clients match this demand for diversity too! 

If you’re interested in your pet turning into a Star Pet model with interesting jobs such as commercials or photoshoots, apply here and join Models Direct on a pawsome journey you won’t forget! 

How much does a pet model make?

Great question to start off with, and the answer is, anything ranging from under £100 to over £1000, we kid you not! Naturally, the remuneration is dependent on the company, location, duration and amount of hours put in each day but our pet models get paid handsomely. What’s more, they do just as well as their human counterparts, so all the more reason to climb onto the pet modelling ladder and earn some extra (much needed) money.

How do you get your pet into modelling?

…with Models Direct’s help, or you could go rouge. It’s up to you but we want you to know that such an agency does exist that cares for our models and ensures that they’re put forward for work whenever an opportunity arises. We aren’t a showcase agency where we simply just display your pet’s gorgeous images across our social media and marketing platforms. We do the hard graft and actively seek out chances which will increase our models’ modelling work. So take the first step by registering with a reputable agency who know all the right ways of breaking into the industry.

Get your pet camera-ready so, if they have the capacity, that they’re aware of a lens pointing at them or that you’re occupied holding your phone or camera in your hands. The images you capture will make a fine portfolio for clients to enjoy viewing. You might also want to expose them to new surroundings where there’s more hubbub than they’re used to, much like how a potential studio or outdoor set will be.

How much can a puppy model make?

Lots! Cute puppy models can earn a good amount on an assignment. Modelling is a great supplementary part time occupation that can have your bank balance increasing generously. If you want exact figures, you’re looking at anywhere from under £100 to over a grand. Yes, really! Animals are magnificent creatures and young dogs can certainly create excellent marketing campaigns for rising and leading brands.

Do dogs get paid for modelling?

Definitely! How could they not? This amazing species are our four-legged companions we wouldn’t want to share life without. According to PDSA, this year, 52% of UK adults own a pet and 27% of those have a dog, with an estimated population of 10.2 million pet dogs. Wow! So, with how important they are in our human world, they’re also important in the marketing world. Companies will be needing dogs as pet models which means they’ll definitely get paid for their time and cuteness.

If you’ve got any more questions you’d like to ask our team, get in touch and we’re more than happy to answer them for you.

Photographers know what they’re looking for when it comes to producing a winning image for all types of work, from commercial to digital. If they’ve got a furry companion or scaly creature in front of their lens, or any type of animal for that matter, they’ll know just about everything there is to capture a timeless moment that exudes a message and a deeper meaning. It’s a pretty incredible skill to have as a photographer because let’s face it – animals can be cheeky, playful characters with a mind of their own. They’ll enjoy getting up to cute mischief and there may very well be plenty of blunders along the way.

Photographers have come across plenty of pet owners that have high expectations and rocketing stress levels. We know it’s not meant to be intentional because the pressure can be sizzling hot (a bit like the weather we’ve seen lately) but we know that they want their pet to perform perfectly for the camera. Is this always possible? Probably not – and this is where some top tips, straight from the eyes of a photographer, can leverage the modelling experience for pets and their owners. Let’s check them out here:

Be patient
Yes, that good old phrase you might have thought we wouldn’t mention but here it is! Your animal may need time to adjust to its surroundings, particularly when they’ve been booked and have been called out somewhere further afield. New places, new people, and a good few cameras pointing at them may throw them off guard, and that’s understandable. It can be a daunting experience for animals and humans alike. This may happen so the key ingredient is to be prepared – hiccups will ensue and that’s okay. What can you do? Expose them to different environments to help ease them into unknown territories. Check in on how you’re feeling too – do you get anxious when they feel uncomfortable? Animals are incredibly smart, instinctive creatures so they’ll pick up and feed on how you’re feeling too. Try and relax – if it gets too much, take a break and restart the process when you’re both ready.

Get to their level
Great advice we’ve had from our photographers’ perspective is to get down to your subject’s eye level. Meet your pet at their level, communicate with them and whip out that smartphone to take snaps. Selfies too, so they can see you both on your screen. This’ll expose them to a modelling experience and get them accustomed to an unfamiliar face doing the same. Photographers reposition their camera plenty of times and from different viewpoints and angles, so replicate the same with your fluffy bestie for practice.

Reward them
Your pet’s hard work should never go unnoticed – whether it’s positive words or rewarding them with healthy snacks and toys (or all three!) – and you’ll know that incentives work! Your companion needs to know you’re happy with them, especially if they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone and had tons of images taken. We love our treats as do our animal counterparts so remember to pack snacks, their favourite comforter and some extra playthings to generate an enriching experience whilst you’re out and about taking their photos.

We hope that these tips are helpful when snapping your hero pet! Whether they’ve been called in for commercial modelling, catalogue modelling, digital modelling or even promotional modelling, these tips will help! Let our team know how you get on, we’d love to hear from you all!