1.  Animal Rights groups allege abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation of animals used commercially. How do you respond?

While we cannot speak for every animal trainer, the vast majority of these professionals care deeply for their animals, even putting them before their families at times. We are fortunate in the fact that, as a family owned business, our children take great pride and pleasure in the care and treatment of our animals. We believe that we are partners in this endeavor and ask the animals to help to contribute to their existence by performing their special skills to appreciative audiences. Captivity implies just that...these ARE captive animals and we try, through training, to stimulate their minds by teaching them to provide a natural action to each request.  Just as children learn from repetition and praise so do animals.

2.  How long have you been in business?

While Animal Encounters, Inc is a relatively new corporation, we have worked with, trained, and owned animals for over 28 years.

3.  What is your safety record?

We have provided everything from elephants and camels for rides and live performances to tigers, lions, cougars, and bears for fashion shows and photo shoots without incident. Our insurance company has not changed for the last 7 years and will gladly give written testament to that fact.

4.  Who licenses you to own and present your animals?

We are licensed through the Federal Government by the U.S.D.A., animal/plant health inspection services, under the ANIMAL WELFARE ACT. This agency is allowed to do unannounced inspections of our facilities, animals, employees, practices, and record keeping.
We are also licensed by the City of Dallas to bring "prohibited animals" into the city limits. This includes some types of reptiles, (Constrictors, rattlesnakes, cobras, etc.).

5.  Why do the licenses matter?

Hiring a licensed company insures that the care and management of the animals you use is both safe and humane. Other companies may not take quality care of the animals and do not have to abide by the same standards. Many unlicensed individuals HAVE animals to MAKE money...we MAKE money to HAVE animals.
Hiring unlicensed companies can present a problem for your company as well. They may be caught providing animal talent and taken off site, resulting in setbacks for your production/client. They may also be fined as may you/your client. The Animal Welfare Act calls for fines of up to $500 per incident.

6.  What animals are regulated?

All dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, goats, sheep, cattle, all wild/exotic animals are regulated by the USDA. The USDA can also monitor horse action under the new HORSE PROTECTION ACT.
The AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION monitors ALL animal action for film/commercial/and television. This includes all birds/insects/fish/and reptile action.

7.  How do I decide which company to hire?

Simply ask the representative of each company to provide the following...
1. Their current USDA license
2. A current copy of their insurance
3. A copy of their LAST USDA inspection report ( should be no older than 6 months )
4. Their resume
5. Their experience with the type(s) of animals provided

8.  Why should we hire your company?

We can provide all of the above! Our approach is to set steps required to do the job safely and satisfactorily. We either own or have worked with the animals we provide for a period of time. Some agencies send out whatever you ask for WITHOUT regard for either the safety of the animal or client.
We always provide a representative knowledgeable about the animal/s being utilized on every job.
We know how to act on set!!! Your talent will not be bothered for photo op's or autographs as others do.
We make our living providing animal talent, this is not a sideline. If we fail to care for either our animals or our client we fail, period.