Casey the bear performs for KFC Original Recipe only.  No other kind of chicken will do. Do not insult the bear's intelligence by offering him imitation chicken. Film staff have driven vehicles 90 minutes each way in order to obtain the non-negotiable treat. It's okay, Casey. We understand that it is important to get a refreshing delectable delight after toiling at work all day.

Cats can be trained to flush toilets. Trainers direct insects to travel in a certain direction. Everyone on the crew falls in love with canine and feline film actors. The human actors, fans and crew alike love walking around holding cuddly animals.

Actors that want to work with the animals are a joy for animal trainers. The awesome celebrities can participate in the scenes as trainers with the animals, and the bond between the animals and actors enhances their performance. However, if the actors are disinterested in the animals, they can be treated as props. In that case, the trainers and animals simply work around the actors. Sometimes, actors can get neat perks of the job, such as riding lessons if they must appear in a scene with a horse.

The American Humane Association has been working since 1940 to keep animals safe and not overworked in movies. Animal trainers love their jobs. Each animal character in film has several animals trained for the part in order to divide up the work. Food, as well as anything that the animals like, can be used as rewards for a job well done.

Animal actors are high energy creatures who sometimes fail as pets. They love having something productive to do, and they thrive on human attention and approval. Animals do not really "act" or feign emotions that they do not truly feel. On the contrary, the film directors and animal trainers must choreograph a series of behaviors for the animals to do that will make it appear as if they are thinking or feeling in certain ways. Many of these incredibly furry and hairy TV celebrities are rescued and brought to movie life from local animal shelters. Purebred animals can be obtained from rescue organizations and/or animal shelters. 

Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes With Your Favorite Animal Actors by Robin Ganzert, 2014

Sometimes, I do not enjoy watching animal acting because it seems anthropomorphic. Directors want animals to do stunts that they think people will be amazed at or laugh at. I spend so much time around real animals that some of the "acting" looks decidedly fake to me.

• All Star Animals - NYC animals in movies
• American Humane Association
• Angel Animals
• Animal Actors Book
• Books about animal on television
• Books about animal training