TYSON HEPBURN

Can you tell us about the initial inspiration behind Tyson Media and what motivated you to focus on animal-related television series?

I have always loved to produce content, and I also love animals. I have a Labrador named Maddie, who is one of the greatest loves of my life, so combining my work with animal-related topics has been very natural. 

Since Pets and Pickers aired, seeing people’s response—not only enjoying the show but also making donations to the hospital—has motivated me to continue creating this kind of content. It’s not only fun for me, but it also helps the community, and that’s always rewarding.

“Pets and Pickers” has garnered significant attention and success. What do you believe sets this series apart from other animal-focused shows?

I think what makes it unique is that it’s not just a show about animal medicine. It’s a mash up that also includes a picking element: The staff at RAPS Thrift Store pick merchandise from abandoned storage units, much like in the TV series ‘Storage Wars,’ with the proceeds going to the cost of the animals’ veterinarian bills.

Every case is very special, and it’s so satisfying to see the animals return to their owners and be safe, thanks to a huge group of people who make an effort to make it happen. I believe that everyone, not just people with pets, can feel what the pet owners feel, and it’s very heartwarming to accompany them through the process—from finding out what the issue is, to the news that they’re going to be helped, and the whole adventure of raising the money for each case. The whole process is enjoyable, and it’s even more fulfilling when it’s for a meaningful cause.

In the third season of “Pets and Pickers,” how has the narrative evolved from the previous seasons? What new elements or stories can viewers expect?

Well, there are a lot of new stories; lots more drama and lots more picking. There are new characters at the hospital (Cameron Ward and Tom Homer) who bring fresh perspectives and a different pace, and the most fun part is that this season we got to see many new exotic animals through our exotic veterinarian Dr Martinez, who is back this season after not appearing in season 2. It’s been amazing to learn about and see animals that we’re not usually accustomed to seeing

What was it about the Regional Animal Protection Society’s (RAPS) approach that drew you to create “Pets and Pickers”? How has their unique model influenced the series?

We clicked from the start, and what they do for the community is incredible. It’s an inspiring place because of the unique connection between animal hospital and storage wars type picking element.

It has been an enjoyable collaboration from the beginning, and we’re very excited to keep creating and sharing the stories that happen inside the hospital with the world.

Tyson Media has collaborated with various broadcasters and streaming platforms. How do you approach pitching your projects to different networks, and what has been key to your success in these partnerships?

This job is all about collaboration. It’s very important for us to have good relationships with everyone involved. We like to get close to the different networks and understand what they’re looking for in content to have a clearer idea of what we can start developing internally.

Looking ahead, what future projects or themes are you excited to explore with Tyson Media? Are there any new directions or innovations in animal-focused content that you’re considering?

We love animal content, and of course, we would like to continue in that area, and we will. But we also want more challenges and would like to start considering topics involving travel, gastronomy, and, why not, crime.