Small Animal Handlers and Trainers

What big teeth you have! Small animal handlers and trainers get up close and personal with all the four-legged, feathered and scaly creatures that appear on screen.

An animal handler gets busy long before a movie or TV project gets rolling. That’s because animal handlers are also animal trainers. Exotic/dangerous animal trainers work with bears, wolves, big cats and other majestic beasts. The goal is to ensure the animals are calm on set and not fazed by all the activity and bright lights. They also train the animals to perform specific tasks that are called for in the script.

Between scenes, the animal handler makes sure the animals get food, water and exercise so they’re ready to go when needed. Often, animal handlers own the animals they work with.

The small animal handlers and trainers department is represented by Teamster.

Roles in Small Animal Handlers and Trainers

Exotic/Dangerous Trainers
Animal Handlers
Small Animal Trainers/ Coordinator
See role descriptions

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Small Animal Handlers and Trainers

What does the small animal handlers and trainers department do?

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Roles in Small Animal Handlers and Trainers

Works closely with

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