Perhaps. Though I thing animals more likely to be encountered in a forest than people who might mean us harm.

[He looks mildly surprised that the other doesn't know what familiars are, but doesn't say so. Instead, he simply explains.]

Familiars can take many forms, from inanimate objects that have been enchanted to actual life forms with souls. Most are simply arcane entities however. They are defined by the fact that they are summoned by means of an incantation to serve their creator in some capacity, and are often bound to them. Generally they're unique to their creators; rarely are familiar concepts submitted for consideration for widespread use.