Kids First⁠—the distributor owned by Paris-based Watch Next Media—has closed several presale deals with international broadcasters for 2D-animated series Audrey’s Shelter, which started production last week in Paris.

ZDF in Germany and Canada’s TVOKids, Radio-Canada, TFO and Knowledge have joined France Télévisions and Spain’s RTVE as co-commissioners of the 52 x 11-minute series, which will debut in 2023. ZDF intends to run the show on KiKA, and RTVE is holding a slot for it on Clan TV.

Aimed at six- to nine-year-olds, Audrey’s Shelter focuses on lesser-known endangered species, aiming to introduce young viewers to animals like the kākāpō (owl parrot) and the saiga (antelope). Its titular protagonist is best friends with all of the animals taking refuge at her family’s shelter.

The unique element of the series is its realism, says creator/producer Sylvain Huchet, noting that it doesn’t anthropomorphize the animals. “Even though Audrey has a very close bond with them, she knows they are not pets, and never forces them to engage in an interaction they’re not seeking.”

Audrey’s Shelter is produced by Watch Next, Spain’s Peekaboo and Canada’s Image-in Atlantique, and Kids First manages global distribution and licensing rights.

Other toons themed around animal protection have been piquing the interest of buyers this year. In June, CBeebies (UK) and Treehouse (Canada) ordered 2D-animated series Vida the Vet from Spin Master, about a 10-year-old who takes care of critters near her home. And in April, Paramount+ LatAm picked up Tainá and the Amazon’s Guardians, a CG-animated series promoting the conservation of the wildlife and flora of the Amazon rainforest.