Mick's about to declare unbranded animals (9)

I believe the answer is:

mavericks

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'animals' is the definition.
(maverick is a kind of animal)

'mick's about to declare' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'to declare' becomes 'aver' (averring is a kind of declaring).
'micks' placed around 'aver' is 'MAVERICKS'.

'unbranded' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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