[OOC] Return to the Rusty Rat

[DM Surranó]

animated shield still confers all modifiers like arcane failure, armor check penalty, and consistently continuing this list I'd say nonproficiency and inappropriate size as well. I.e. you cannot use a shield not your size, animated or not.
Concerning AMF; you could even make it yourself next level if you took Craft Wondrous Items.