Our UK-based modelling agency welcomes all types of pets to be put through our easy-peasy application process.

Popular pets like cats, dogs and rabbits aren’t the only animal species to be booked with us and shine in the spotlight. Cute hamsters, fishes, snakes and hedgehogs are examples of interesting animals who’ve become pet modelling stars with Models Direct.

So, how can you begin your pet’s modelling journey?

Question: does your pet have what it takes?
Does your animal friend feel comfortable in new environments surrounded by new faces, alongside different sounds, smells and textures? Yep? Awesome!
Has your pet been toilet trained? Are they able to follow basic commands and if not, can they be distracted?
We know! Lots of questions, and lots to think about too!
If you’re unsure and want a trusted agency to represent your cuddly animal, you’ll need a trusted agency like MD that will be by your side, working with you and your pet.
No one wants to be represented by an agency that hasn’t got their best interests at heart, and where Models Direct has been in the business for over 30 years, our dedication to our craft shows in the campaigns our animals have been booked for.

With the right modelling agency, like Models Direct, opportunities will arise as an agency is meant to put your potential pet model forward for work.

This is what happened with award-winning ethically sourced beauty care company, Coco & Eve approached us.  They requested our wonderfully fluffy and cute rabbits, Sparky and Delilah, to be the stars of their Easter campaign. This tied in nicely with the season’s bunny theme and the company’s cruelty-free ethos.

If you choose Models Direct to represent your pet, we will:

Ensure our clients are fully vetted and legitimate.
Set up casting calls if the client needs to see your animal before deciding whether they want to book them.
Let you know immediately if you’re pet has been booked.
Give you some time to think about whether you want to go ahead. If you don’t want to or can’t, there are no hard feelings – we understand, not every assignment is possible to pursue.
Negotiate an appropriate payment with our client so you know what your pet will earn beforehand.
Ensure that your animal’s payment is made on time after the assignment has been completed.
Request for your feedback (positive or negative) after the assignment.
What we ask from our pet model owners:
Updated, varied images regularly uploaded to their designated online portfolio
Informing us about any physical changes, growth spurts, or medical conditions.
Keeping an eye on our jobs board where owners can directly apply for suitable modelling positions, anytime they come live on our site.
Staying in the loop with our socials, blogs and website.

And then you have it! This is our guide to pet modelling. If you have any burning questions or anything you’d like to discuss, feel free to get in touch with our modelling coordinators at MD. We’re always happy to help, and we’re always eager to see your amazing animals!
 

At Models Direct, we are always keen to hear about your cute canines, especially if you think they might fit the bill.

From cockapoos to collies and beagles to bulldogs, all sorts of dogs are required for a wide range of different assignments.

Lifestyle modelling jobs frequently require a happy hound to complete the family picture and, of course, pups are often essential for promoting pet food and other products.

Some of our four-legged model friends will be simply stunningly beautiful examples of their breed, while others may be quirky and cute.

We are sometimes asked for older dogs with experience on set or in front of a camera, yet at other times a client may request a playful puppy or two.

There may well be a professional dog-handler on set and crews will be very experienced at working with animals.

Your pawfect pal does not have to be a show dog or a highly trained hound but you need to feel you and he would enjoy the experience and be capable of following simple directions.

Do remember, however, many of our pet models are simply that – somebody’s pet!

And all sorts of dogs and their owners can find the whole experience extremely rewarding in many ways.

So why not ask yourself the following questions about your canine companion and then perhaps take a few photographs, send us some details and see how you both get on.

1. Would I enjoy taking my dog to modelling assignments, being on hand to help reassure him and encourage him to do whatever is required?

2. Is he happy to be around lots of people in a fairly busy environment?

3. Does he travel well when necessary?

4. Do I think my dog would enjoy being a star pet and being showered with attention?

5. Is he relatively well trained?

6. Does my faithful friend respond well to his name and seem comfortable in front of a camera?

7. Would I like to earn a little more money towards special treats for me and my pet?

You might be chuckling right now, but cast your mind back to the all time fav Dulux ad, the recent funky AA post lockdown campaign and even a John Lewis campaign starring Buster the Boxer for the retailer’s Christmas campaign.

Are you seeing the same pattern as Models Direct is? Yup, you guessed right then! They all have an animal mascot to represent a campaign. So, that must mean there is a market for a leading pet role, right?

Yes, there certainly is, and you’ve landed on the perfect page to give you a lowdown of the FAQs that are, if not asked, then thought about. Don’t sweat it any more – your pet modelling answers are here – on demand.

How much does a pet model make?

It’s only right to ask how much your pet would be making as a modelling star, which is why this one’s at the top of the list. How much they earn per project can vary, and this variation depends on a host of various factors: the brand, the company, the duration of work, the location, and the level of modelling experience. Pet models can earn anywhere from under £100 to over £1000, and our modelling agency has an incredible list of pets and how much they earned.

How do you get your pet into modelling?

Finding the right agency to represent your pet can be tricky but it isn’t an unachievable goal. There are lots out there that cater for this modelling division, some are explicitly dedicated to this niche, whilst others (like MD) take care of a plethora of categories. The key point when choosing an agency that’s right for your pet is that the representatives doesn’t just showcase your pet’s images on their platforms and leave it there. They need to work hard for you because that’s what they’re there for. Speaking of which, Models Direct do just this. We actively find work for our models and don’t stop. We’re on the go, non stop, ensuring no opportunities are missed!

How much can a puppy model make?

We love our gorgeous canine companions! Plenty of us have an additional member of the family (AKA a pup in tow) and if you’re considering putting yours forward for a modelling career, then you’d be looking for some generous rates of remuneration ranging from anywhere under £100 to over a thousand! It’s quite an eye-catching deal so we want everyone to benefit from earning extra cash and gaining skills, and that includes species.

Do dogs get paid for modelling?

Yes! Absolutely! Dogs, cats, lizards, hedgehogs, you name it. All animals get paid for their time just as their human counterparts do too. Wouldn’t it be unfair and worthless if they didn’t? This sounds harsh, but it’s true. You’d want to get paid, and that’s what a reputable agency will do – they’ll pay – simples.

Who can you turn to for all your pet modelling needs? Yes…Models Direct!

Pet models are prized assets in the commercial modelling industry. Some requests can be quite specific – e.g. “Medium-sized black and white dog required for two-hour outdoor promotional filming shoot.” Others, meanwhile, can be more generic and may appeal to more animal-loving households across the country – e.g. “Cat required for supermarket pet food packaging.” Whilst we sometimes tailor an advert on behalf of our clients, the main priority for pet owners is to maintain their pets’ health and welfare before, during and after the assignment.

That’s not to say our clients don’t look after pets on set. Owners are often permitted to be around their pets whilst they perform in front of the camera, and staff creating the promotional shoot are frequently animal lovers themselves, so a pets’ welfare is very important to all parties.

Cats and dogs are the most often requested animals for commercial modelling shoots. We’ve never conducted an accurate survey, but we reckon that rabbits might come third in the list of the “most wanted” pets. Luxury brands can ask for rabbits, with the run-up to Easter or Christmas being prime times for our long-eared friends. Guinea pigs and birds are in the mix, too, with horses and reptiles occasionally featuring in our lists. As we have a huge range of clients (and, ultimately, they’re the decision makers), the range of pet being sought after is understandably diverse.

Applications are easy for pets (although we recommend a human does this!).

We have no doubt that you care for your pets to the highest level each and every day, but the basics of an effective animal photo shouldn’t be underestimated. We need clear photos with a neutral background. Your animal’s eyes should be bright, and fur needs to be in peak condition. No need for an expensive camera; a high definition photo using a Smartphone is fine.

If your pet is chosen after we have shortlisted them to our clients, turn your attention to the logistics of the big day. Make the journey as stress-free as possible, ensuring you have brought the necessary food, water, bedding, toys, leads and any other paraphernalia that’ll keep your pet comfortable. Think of the journey as going on holiday; the difference being your pet will be earning the hard cash instead of you checking into a cosy B&B!

You’ll already know your pet’s fortes or peculiar foibles and, coupled with our desire to see new animals to shortlist, it’s a winning combination. Now all you need to do is start taking a few photos of your pets, fill out the easy-peasy application, and we’ll take it from there.

You’re thinking about human models, right? Well, the above is unquestionably true for the majority of the two-legged population, but we’re experts at selecting our four-legged friends as stars of the show. That’s why our “Starpets” have been helping our clients for decades!

Near the top of the list of successful pets are cats. The reasons for feline successes are numerous – and your kitty companion could well be our next superstar! 

The modelling industry continues to be varied and celebrates diversity, but gone are the days where campaigns exclusively require adults and children. In fact, the demand for animals has never been higher. Often, animals are not only important in modelling – they are essential!

Think about all the commercials where only an animal will do. Would the precise message come across to the viewer if it weren’t for the animals? Of course not! They possess certain qualities that humans just can’t portray – and companies know this!

Better still, your pet could easily star in exciting modelling assignments up and down the country – with travel expenses paid. Just imagine – your own lovable pet travelling with you to modelling missions, with their own personal coordinator here at Models Direct HQ available to help in any way they can in your quest for pet modelling perfection. That’d be something to tell the neighbours!

If we focus on cats, we’ve booked numerous felines who’ve been “cat-a-pulted” to celebrity status because of their looks and good behaviour. An example we’re particularly proud of is a request for black and white cats to star in photo shoots for the Felix cat food brand. Did we have a couple of cats that fitted our client’s requirements? Could they succeed posing as the famous cat? Our booking staff immediately got to work to find the best suited cats, and Duchess and BoCat came up trumps – just take a look at their photos and experience in the link below:

Talk about a textbook cat booking for purfect cat products!

All pet owners should hold their faithful animal’s health and wellbeing as the priority, but as long as they’re happy, why not take it to the next level and actively promote them as pet models? If you think your cat (or dog, bird, horse etc…) would love to be a pet model, simply contact us with a couple of photos (no, not of you!), and we’ll see what they have! Have a peek at the link:

Speaking of photos, these are essential for obvious reasons. However, they don’t have to be ultra-pixelled, professionally taken. Yes, they must be clear and accurately depict your playful pet, but follow these tips and you won’t go far wrong:

1. Capture your pet in a relaxed frame of mind.

2. A neutral background is best – not of a tree, field or any other environment that your pet loves.

3. Concentrate on your pet’s facial features.

4. Make sure the photo is as symmetrical as possible – your pet’s head shouldn’t be too far away.

5. A good quality photo taken with an iPhone or other Smartphone is ideal.

Take care of your cats – and other pets – and your cats will take care of you! We look forward to hearing from all of you, and your wonderful pets!