Kerman, Tabriz and Kashan are about the only Persian workshop areas I know of that on occasion depict animal or human form on their rygs and carpets.
I am a fledgling collector and one of my favorites is an older small Khazak rug I have that was made by Christians and has crosses in the border....very rare amongst oriental rugs which are made mostly within Islam.
"I am a fledgling collector..."
Good luck to you with that. I am completely addicted to The Antiques Roadshow, they've had several beautiful and valuable rugs that I've seen on there.
They usually tell the people to get them up off the floor though and hang them on the wall!