A Purrfect Circus?

These days, circuses aren’t always seen in a good light, especially when it comes to the treatment of animals, yet the Amazing Acro-Cats have shown that some circuses can be pawsitive. Formed in January 2006 out of Chicago by Samantha Martin, this four-legged, furry feline festival has sold out shows across the country with few exceptions as well as dipping into Canada. Audiences are astounded as they watch these skateboarding, bell ringing, barrel rolling, high wire walking, rope climbing, shopping cart pushing, hoop jumping and agility course running kitties tear it up. They’re accompanied on tour by Tuna and the Rock Cats, also trained by Samantha and dubbed the “world’s only feline band.”

Samantha is famous for using positive reinforcement training techniques, particularly clicker training. In this method, a clicker is used to let an animal know the moment that they perform a desired behavior. When rewarded, this develops into classical conditioning. When the animal repeats the action, it becomes operant conditioning and habitual as a result. In turn, cues can be developed in the form of commands. While learning desired behavior, the elimination of undesired actions can be achieved. Samantha has used her animal training expertise in husbandry and behavioral sciences for advertising in industry and commercials for the likes of Wal-Mart, PetCo and PetSmart. She’s also aided with animals in music videos for bands like Megadeth as well as on programs on MTV and Animal Planet. Samantha has even appeared on shows like the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and used her skills on the set of film production companies, such as New Line Cinema.

Compared to animal training methods that have been discovered in most circuses, it’s a wonder that they remain in business. According to the Humane Society, despite claims from circus promoters regarding circuses using only positive reinforcement when training animals, reports show use of punishments, like beatings, using everything from clubs to sharpened hooks, as well as food deprivation. The Acro-Cats, however, are rescue cats who apparently enjoy doing tricks for treats. Essentially, Samantha and friends take them in and work at finding new homes. Of course, not all do, so Samantha particularly is one of the most gracious cat ladies I've ever heard of. These circus cats are paid in stipends of fresh cooked chicken, salmon, tuna, and even swordfish. Polly Smith, booker and promoter of the troupe, did tell me that they have received a few e-mails from animal rights activists in protest but that they responded openly with invites to their performances, going as far as offering tours of their tour bus to see the cats’ living conditions on the road. Only one took advantage of the opportunity and, although Polly wasn’t with the troupe, she rests assured that the activist was pleased by the conditions, as well as the performance. If that’s not enough, the Acro-Cats work with shelters in local communities and aid in fostering animals. On top of that, a portion of their proceeds support animal welfare groups in each city.

I went with a bunch of friends to catch an afternoon performance and walked up to the ticket counter/merch table before running into Polly, a bit of a Renaissance woman for the troupe who books and promotes for the Acro-Cats, Rock Cats and even SXSW apparently. More so, she also works at the merch table, as well as the tech table, running lights and sound. She welcomed us and we sat with a bunch of friends who were already there. First thing to be noticed is the extravagant stage set-up, with a tall post for the cats to climb that has a rope pulley for descent, a yoga mat for stretching, a table set up for a rock band, and other various odds and ends of an obstacle course, as well as a series of kennels. Among the crew of performers are many cats, a chicken and a groundhog, all directed by Samantha and her human friends. Using treats, clickers and directions, the felines were led through a cavalcade of hoops, tight ropes, a ramp for skating and bowling, and chairs and various posts to jump to and from. There was also cart pushing, ball pushing and riding and a trick where one cat jumped into a toy car and a bigger cat pushed it around. This was followed by a bell-ringing contest between Tuna, the cat and band leader, and the chicken, Cluck Norris. Tuna rocked a service bell while Cluck pulled the rope on a miniature church bell. According to the audience, both did well but Cluck clearly won the contest. Finally, the Rock Cats approached a decent amount of instruments that the cats and Cluck Norris, played, led by Tuna on cowbell, Samantha and other humans. The cats were even free to abandon stage for the audience, although only a few did. After a little over an hour of tricks and rocking out, the audience was invited onstage to meet the performers and trainers.

The Amazing Acro-Cats and The Rock Cats pounce once more on Phoenix at Playhouse on the Park, located at 1850 N. Central Avenue. Remaining performances run on January 30th and 31st at 7 PM, February 1st at 4 and 7 PM and the 2nd at 1 and 4 PM. Tickets are $19 and can be purchased in advance through their website at www.circuscats.com.

~Garyn Klasek