Fewer around animal (3)
I believe the answer is:
ewe
'animal' is the definition.
(female sheep)
'fewer around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates a hidden word.
'EWE' is hidden within 'fewer'.
(Other definitions for ewe that I've seen before include "Wool producer" , "Sheep found in sewer" , "Ruminant" , "Partner to ram" , "Female on farm" .)