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