Our Story
About
The Animal People Recruitment Company
The Animal People Recruitment Company was born from a shared belief between two people who had spent their entire careers doing recruitment differently.
Chris Whatling had built a highly successful career within the pet and animal health industries, forming deep relationships, understanding the nuances of the market, and developing a genuine passion for the people and brands that make it so special.
Sarah Grace had already built and led a multi-million-pound recruitment consultancy, proving that recruitment could be commercially powerful and values-led when done properly.
Both had dedicated their working lives to doing recruitment the right way - with integrity, care, and impact. Together, they saw a gap in the market: an industry built on love, purpose and wellbeing was being served by a largely transactional model that didn’t reflect its heart.
Chris brought the
sector knowledge, passion and credibility.
Sarah brought the
vision, structure and experience to break the mould.
What made the origins of The Animal People truly special was their personal relationship built on trust, respect and a shared desire to create something better. Together, they set out to redefine what a recruitment company could be.
- Not just a supplier.
- A true consultancy.
- A partner in growth.
- A guide for careers.
- A force for good.
They wanted to build teams, not just fill roles. To attract exceptional talent into the industry from other sectors. To help people navigate their careers with confidence. To consult, advise and add value far beyond a job advert. And to give back to animals in need along the way.
The Animal People was created to change perceptions, elevate standards, and build a genuine community of people who care deeply about these industries and the animals it serves.
Our Values
Specialist#
- True industry experts using state of the art recruitment technology to go beyond traditional CV‑only recruitment.
- Trusted by clients and candidates for deep sector knowledge and high‑quality candidate insight.
Honest
- Transparent processes built around doing the right thing for all parties.
- Acting like an extension of each client’s in‑house recruitment team.
Kind
- A people‑first approach that values fairness, respect, and genuine care in every interaction.
- Passionate about placing real “animal people” into roles where they can make a difference.
Inclusive
- Welcoming, accessible, and committed to supporting diverse talent across the industry.
- Creating a recruitment experience where everyone feels valued and represented.
The Animal People Recruitment team is proud to pair meaningful work with meaningful impact, donating to
Birmingham Dogs Home with every placement as a Platinum Business Patron.
"We truly love nothing more than seeing the impact the right job has on someone’s life especially when it’s something they’ve worked hard for and genuinely care about.”
Chris Whatling
