'I live with more than 40 exotic animals - but I don't think I'm out of control'

An animal talent agent is now living with more than 40 exotic creatures - from snakes to a bearded dragon.

Paula Stewart started adopting and fostering animals following the death of her father, Paul, in 2013.

Since then, her personal "zoo" has grown immensely, with the 44-year-old lovingly referring to them as the "chaos crew".

Paula, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, spends at least £400 a month looking after her animals.

Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here

She says they have "saved each other" - and insists she is not "out of control".

Paula, who runs the Animal Talent agency, says her father Paul was a “big animal lover”, and following his death she “needed something extra to love”.

“I think about him every single day,” she told PA Real Life. “Every time I’m working with my animals, it reminds me of him because he loved animals so much.

“I sit with them and watch the television or, if I’m working from home, Georgie, my bearded dragon, will sit on my shoulder and watch me type, or he’ll sit on my laptop.

“I just feel like I learn something new every day about the animals, but also myself – they teach me so much about myself and what’s important in life.”

Paula says some of her animals have featured in adverts for 888 Casino and Foxy Bingo, and her dog Betty has gone on to model for Newcastle United Football Club, Adidas and Pets at Home.

Looking after the animals alongside running her business is a full-time job, but Paula said the best thing about having these “amazing” pets is that she is “never alone”.

Paula grew up on a poultry farm and has always been around animals, but it was not until her father died of cancer in 2013 that she started adopting