Show Biz and Your Cat

Does your pet have what it takes to make it big on television? A trainer shares his advice.

Posted: Fri Mar 21 00:00:00 PST 2003

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Even if your pet has the right look, it may not have the demeanor or training to perform complicated tricks on cue in front of a large, bustling crew. Cats that do are rare and in great demand.

"It's very difficult for the average pet to break into commercials," confirms John Baldwin, a trainer with Critters of the Cinema, a Los Angeles-based animal talent company. "Just as actors have agents, so do animals in the form of established trainers. That's who casting directors turn to when they need an animal for a commercial or motion picture.

"In most cases, a production company or advertising agency will call us or another established trainer and ask for a selection of pictures, from which they'll choose the animals they want to use. This way they know the animals will be able to do what's needed of them."

Location is also very important. Most big-name trainers are located in New York or Los Angeles, where most commercials are filmed. If you live outside these areas, the chances of commercial success for you and your pet lessen.

"The only time we use private cats is if a production wants a specific breed that we don't have," notes Karen Thomas, who works with Baldwin at Critters of the Cinema. "We then go to our files of private cat owners we know or have been referred to, and call them."

But all is not lost. National television commercials are probably an unrealistic goal, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun doing local TV ads.

"I would suggest making a short video of your cat especially if it does tricks and sending it, along with still photos and related information, to area advertising agencies," says nationally renowned animal trainer Scott Hart.

"Local companies, such as car dealers and furniture stores, are more likely to use local talent, including animals. It's one way to break into the business."

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Janet    Bethlehem, PA 2/7/2013 10:16:07 AM good article, thanks Miroki    Kodiak, AK 12/27/2012 11:32:14 PM Hmm interesting well I have a cat who can do tricks and loves people. Not only does my cat sit, shake (with whatever paw you tell him too), he also gives high fives. Not only can he do tricks but he also is great at getting clean but I guess it helps when he likes water and trimming his nails. Which takes no effort at all since he helps by spreading his claws for you. He keeps his teeth very white when he helps me brush his teeth with no problems. It doesn't stop there with this people friendly cat since he loves to make you smile when he puts on costumes and runs around the house. Most recently as Miroki clause (santas cat cousin) Jayna    Appleton, WI 8/14/2012 9:32:22 AM My black American Shorthair cat definitely could be a show biz cat. Besides the fact that he's a whopping seventeen pounds, he is a VERY pretty cat. He is jet black (hence his name is Jet) and his eyes are green, but they tend to seem like they change colors. Sometimes they are yellow, and sometimes they are green. He is a very nice cat. He LOVES people. Whenever a person rings our doorbell, he runs to the door. He's almost like a dog. Michael    Hammonton, NJ 7/15/2012 8:48:49 AM I'm not sure how to go about this so here goes, maybe you or someone you may know of how to get your cat in advertising. Example like on fancy feast can or some type of dry cat food bay etc. My one cat is now just turning 2 yrs old, she is a long hair tabby / himulayin, all white with gold eyes very very pretty she looks like the cat from the fancy feast cans. I was wondering of how to get this cat in pictures she is very cute. We named her Missy. My name is Michael live in New Jersey area my email contact is mikelucera@comcast.net if you like to contact me to talk more about this. Thanks for your time....mike