The entertainment industry has always thrived on variety, and trained animals have been a key component of film, television, theater, and even live events for decades. From heartwarming dog heroes in family movies to horses in historical and western epics, trained animals bring a sense of authenticity to the screen that help to captivate audiences. But beyond their adorable or awe-inspiring presence, the use of animals in entertainment raises important questions about training methods, ethical considerations, and the evolving role of animals in media.

A Brief History of Animals in Entertainment

The use of animals for entertainment dates back thousands of years, from ancient circuses and gladiatorial arenas to royal courts where exotic animals were showcased for the delight of aristocrats. However, with the advent of modern cinema and television, animals transitioned from mere spectacles to vital performers which are often the lead “actor” or star of the show.

Early Cinema: The silent film era saw animals take center stage, with films like The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1923) and Ben-Hur (1925) prominently featuring animal performers. These animals were often treated as stars in their own right, sometimes more beloved than their human co-stars.

Hollywood’s Golden Age: As filmmaking became more sophisticated, so did the use of trained animals. Productions like Lassie and Flipper set the standard for animal-centric narratives, showcasing the intelligence and emotional depth of dogs and dolphins, respectively. And within those productions, many other animals were featured as well. For instance, did you know that in the Lassie show, there were many more animals then the wonderful starring dog role? There were many episodes that included: horses, cats, rabbits, deer, many different types of domestic and wild type birds, lots of farm animals, and even bears. These animal actors all help to create an atmosphere of a rural life co costing with wilderness. This played into Lassie’s heroic and protective role in different situations.

Types of Trained Animals in Entertainment

Today, trained animals appear in a wide variety of roles, from blockbuster movies to viral marketing campaigns. Below is a closer look at some common types of animal performers:

1. Dogs

Trained dogs have a long-standing place in Hollywood. Thanks to their trainability and emotional expressiveness, dogs are often featured in family movies, commercials, and TV series. Famous dog actors like Toto from The Wizard of Oz (trained by Carl Spitz), Uggie from the Artist (trained by my friend Omar Von Muller) and Benji (trained by the infamous Frank Inn) have left a lasting legacy in pop culture.

2. Cats

Although cats are often considered more independent and harder to train than dogs, they have become increasingly popular in film, TV and advertising. Cats like Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch (trained by Cathy Pittman) Sassy from Homeward Bound (trained by Tamma Maples) and CeeLo Green’s Purrfect the Cat from The Voice (trained by Benay Karp) have made a lasting impact, charming audiences with their mystique.

But did you know that in almost all cases, featured cats are not singular animal actors, but typically are made up from what is often known as a “cat team“. A cat team consists of two or more cats that all look alike. The Trainer will oftentimes interchange between each cat depending on what the script action is and what each cat specialises or excels at doing. Similar to when productions have babies and young children on them and they hire twins to play the same part (Like MaryKate and Ashley Olson from Full House!)

3. Horses

From epic Westerns to historical dramas, horses are indispensable to many productions. Films like War Horse, Black Beauty and Seabiscuit highlight the bond between humans and these majestic animals, while showcasing their strength and versatility.

4. Wild Animals

Wild animals like squirrels, coyotes, groundhogs, bears, Skunks, raccoons etc have also graced the screen, often in adventure and wildlife documentaries. However, these types of animals in most cases involves the owners/trainers to have extremely difficult to procure licenses and permits to keep and train them. As well, heightened caution and stricter regulations must be stringently followed due to the risks involved for both the animals, human talent and the trainers.

5. Exotic Animals

From lions, tiger, parrots, elephants, snakes

The Training Process: How Animals Learn to Perform

Training animals for entertainment requires patience, expertise, and a deep understanding of animal behavior. Professional trainers use various techniques to teach animals how to perform specific tasks or act naturally on command. The training process typically involves:

1. Positive Reinforcement: Trainers often use treats, praise, and toys to reward animals for correctly performing behaviors. This method is widely regarded as the most humane and effective approach.

2. Consistency and Routine: Animals thrive on routine, and trainers work to establish consistent cues and signals to ensure predictable behavior on set. Hand signals, verbal commands, and visual and audio markers are commonly used.

3. Acclimatization to the Set: Before filming begins, animals are introduced to the set environment to familiarize them with the sounds, lights, and cameras. This helps reduce stress and ensures smoother performances.

4. Body Language and Emotional Cues: Trainers rely on their understanding of animal body language to gauge stress levels, excitement, or fear in their animal performers. This allows them to adjust the pace of training or remove the animal from stressful situations if necessary.

Ethical Considerations and Regulations

The use of animals in the entertainment industry has drawn significant scrutiny in recent years. Various organizations and industry guidelines have emerged to ensure the well-being of animals on set.

1. Animal Filming Oversite Organizations

There are several organizations in the USA that have specific programs with trained oversite monitors designated to oversee animals used in production work (In alphabetical order) those are American Humane Association (AHA), Animal Protection Agency (APA) and Movie Animals Protected (MAP). These organizations monitor film and TV productions in the United States (and often travel around the world) to ensure that productions do not ask or put pressure on trainers to do anything that may endanger their working animals. Monitors will get get require animal actions in advance, and make sure all shots will be set up and filmed safely.

These agencies have no relationship/partnership or crossover with trainers or productions to avoid any conflicts of interest.

2. Global Regulations

Different countries have varying regulations regarding the use of animals in entertainment. For example, the UK’s Animal Welfare Act (2006) outlines strict guidelines for the treatment of animals, including those used in films and performances. Some countries have even banned the use of certain animals, such as wild animals in circuses.

3. Shift Toward CGI

With advancements in computer-generated imagery (CGI), many productions have reduced their reliance on live animals. Films like The Lion King (2019) and The Jungle Book (2016) employed photorealistic CGI to create animal characters, eliminating the need for real animals on set. While this approach raises concerns about the loss of authentic animal interactions, it offers an ethical alternative to using wild animals in potentially harmful situations.

The Future of Animal Actors

As technology continues to advance and audiences become more conscious of animal welfare, the future of trained animals in the entertainment industry may shift dramatically. CGI, animatronics, and motion capture technology are likely to take on an even greater role in creating lifelike animal performances, reducing the need for live animals in many productions.

However, there will likely always be a place for real animal actors in certain types of media, particularly in nature documentaries, historical dramas, and certain live performances. The key will be ensuring that their treatment is humane and that their contributions are recognized and respected.

Conclusion

Trained animals have played a significant role in the entertainment industry for generations, captivating audiences with their unique abilities and emotional performances. As the industry evolves, balancing the use of animal actors with ethical concerns and technological advancements will be crucial. Whether through dogs, cats, horses, or digital creations, animals will continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.