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Rafael "Raf" Fontan
I’m Raf Fontan, founder of RafStar LLC—a company built at the intersection of animal behavior, animal welfare, and visual storytelling.
My work combines hands-on experience with dogs, shelters, rescue organizations, and animal-welfare programs with a background in cinematography, photography, and content creation.
Through RafStar K9, I help people and organizations better understand behavior, support enrichment, and create more positive outcomes for the animals in their care. Through itsRafStar Media, I produce honest, documentary-style stories that help mission-driven organizations communicate their work, connect with their communities, and inspire action.
Whether I’m working directly with a dog, documenting life inside a shelter, or producing a story in the field, my approach begins the same way: listen, observe, and understand.
Based in Las Vegas, I collaborate with shelters, rescue groups, nonprofits, municipalities, and purpose-driven organizations locally and beyond.
Understand the animal. Tell the story. Change the outcome.
“Every animal has a story. Understanding their behavior helps us tell it truthfully, and change what happens next.”
-Raf Fontan
Behavior and storytelling are not separate parts of our work. By first understanding what an animal is communicating, we can create honest, purposeful stories that help organizations educate their communities, inspire action, and support better outcomes.
Credentials & Professional Development
CPDT-KA | 2021 - 2024
Fear Free Shelter Certificates | Shelter, Intake, Housing (2021)
Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship Certificate | Shelter Behavior Hub
Professional Member of the IACP
Former Dogs Playing for Life | Instructor
(BASED IN LAS VEGAS)
RafStar LLC is available to support shelters, rescue groups, nonprofits, municipalities, and mission-driven organizations throughout Las Vegas and the surrounding region.
(AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL)
On-site behavior consulting, training, documentary production, and content assignments are available across the United States. Select international projects can also be considered.
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