PETS & PICKERS *Season 3; Premieres July 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery in Canada
Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on ROKU and YouTube worldwide.
– The eight-episode docuseries follows the lives of pets in need and the veterinarians and animal lovers who are dedicated to helping them
VANCOUVER, BC (June 19, 2024)—Discovery takes viewers on an uplifting mission to help animals in need with the Canadian original series PETS & PICKERS. The series debuts its third season on Sunday, July 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery in Canada. It follows a weekly release schedule, with new episodes airing Sundays. The eight-episode docuseries follows a one-of-a-kind animal hospital, the story of animals, their owners, and the exceptional team of veterinarians who care for them.
Motivated by extraordinary compassion and a singular belief that all animals deserve treatment, the heartfelt Animal Planet Canadian original series PETS & PICKERS reveals how the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) Animal Hospital works tirelessly to offer pet families affordable access to top healthcare. RAPS has a unique solution to fund these treatments: their thrift store. An energetic and dedicated group of animal-loving “pickers” comb through donated mystery bins containing abandoned storage locker items; all money raised goes to pay for vet care and lifesaving surgeries. It’s a one-of-a-kind “pets and pickers” relationship with an uplifting mission: to help animals and their people.
In Episode 1 of PETS & PICKERS Season 3, Myla, the hairless Sphynx, plagued by persistent bouts of vomiting, has Dr. Ward, a fresh face at RAPS, tasked with uncovering the cause behind Myla’s mystery ailment. With a recommendation for exploratory surgery, hopes are high for locating the source of Myla’s distress. Kai, a spirited three-legged rescue dog, injures her spine after a rat chase, prompting RAPS’ other new vet, Dr. Homer, to investigate. While Dr. Martinez, the exotic animal expert, determines the ambiguous sex of a bearded dragon.
PETS & PICKERS was created and produced by Tyson Media in association with Bell Media for Discovery. Tyson Hepburn and Kelly McClughan are Executive Producers, Jennifer McCauley is the Showrunner, Eyal Litchmann is the Co-Producer, and Andrew Vacheresse is the Director.
About Tyson Media Productions
Tyson Media Productions Inc. was started in Vancouver, BC, in 2009 by award-winning Producer Tyson Hepburn. With over 15 years of experience in unscripted television, Tyson strives to turn Tyson Media into one of Canada’s premiere production companies. Tyson Media is focused on producing unscripted television programs for various broadcasters, focusing on strong characters and compelling stories. Tyson always carries the momentum aggressively forward into the development of unique character-driven concepts primed to be significant hits both domestically and internationally. They seek out the most diverse subjects nationwide to entertain and educate viewers in Canada and worldwide. Tyson Media produces powerful unscripted and docu-series, including global phenomenon RUST VALLEY RESTORERS, COLD WATER COWBOYS (Co-Executive Producer with David Paperny), and THE DOG DUDES. Learn more at tysonmedia.ca/
Pets and Pickers Seasons 1 and 2 stream on ROKU and YouTube worldwide.
https://www.youtube.com/@PetsandPickers
For more information and interviews, please contact:
Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575
Pets & Pickers on ROKU
Pets & Pickers on YouTube
The following are available for interviews:
TYSON HEPBURN – Executive Producer
Tyson is the creator, showrunner and executive producer of several successful docuseries, including global phenomenon Rust Valley Restorers (Netflix International, History Canada), Cold Water Cowboys (Discovery Channel Canada), The Dog Dudes (Amazon Prime, Apple Plus), and Backroad Truckers (History Canada). Tyson always carries the momentum aggressively forward into the development of unique character-driven concepts primed to be major hits both domestically and internationally.
Tyson began his career by partnering on projects with established production companies. When he was just 27, he teamed up with Omnifilm Entertainment to create Pyros and then with Pixcom to create Jacked! (both for Discovery Channel Canada). He then found even more success with Discovery on Cold Water Cowboys, which he co-created with Oscar-winning producer David Paperny.
Tyson creates and executive produces his projects and ensures he puts his stamp on them, leading the projects as a showrunner, series producer, and series director.
In 2020, Tyson won two Leo Awards for Best Direction and Best Series on Rust Valley Restorers. He was also nominated for Best Direction on the series at that year’s Canadian Screen Awards. In 2022, Pets & Pickers won ‘Best Documentary Series’ award at the Golden Telly Awards, and in 2023, Pets & Pickers was nominated for three Leo Awards, including Best Direction, Best Screenwriting, and Best Series.
ANDREW VACHERESSE – Series Director
Andrew Vacheresse is a freelance Director who has helped share people’s stories for over a decade. Having built his way up through every aspect of production, Andrew has sat in the director’s chair for multiple successful docuseries such as Border Security: America’s Front Line and Highway Thru Hell. His passion for storytelling began as an Assistant Director in 2011 where Andrew worked with and learned from some of the most talented Directors in factual television. From hospital settings on Emergency Room: Life or Death at VGH to welcoming people into their new homes and communities on Worst to First and Holmes Family Effect‘, Andrew is devoted to capturing unforgettable moments in people’s lives.
EYAL LICHTMANN – CEO & Executive Director
A successful entrepreneur with a knack for fundraising, Eyal was introduced to RAPS by his animal advocate wife, Mandy, who had already been with the organization for 5 years. When the Executive Director/CEO job was first floated, Eyal initially dismissed it. “I said ‘No way. I’m not working where my wife works. Forget it.’” But he was convinced by the cause – and after serious family discussions about keeping work and home separate, signed on. He set an ambitious goal of caring for every animal in need. He knew to do it, the organization had to think bigger – and expand its fundraising vision beyond what one RAPS director described as “pub nights and bake sales.” In the past five years, Eyal’s uncanny ability to see opportunities where others see risk has served RAPS well. When a storage company offered to donate the bins from abandoned storage lockers to charitable organizations so they could sell the goods for profit, other non-profits were leery, viewing it as a potential liability. Eyal saw the picking as a potential gold mine to help raise money for animal care. Another goal is to foster a culture where everyone feels like family, something newcomers to the organization and pet families often remark on. Under his leadership, RAPS has grown from treating 1200 animals yearly to 15,000. Its Cat Sanctuary houses and cares for wild and abandoned cats – with the goal of finding forever homes for as many as possible.