Earlier this month, the BF and I spent quite possibly the best $18 we have ever spent. Seasoned cat-trainer Samantha Martin and her cat circus (yes, cat circus), the Amazing Acro-Cats, rolled into Houston to show off the cats and their years of training.
I know what you're thinking--you can't train a cat! Well, yes, you can...sort of. Martin uses "clicker training," which only rewards the desired behavior and ignores other behavior. The result? Pretty impressive, considering they're...cats.
The cat circus went just as you would expect any cat circus to go. The cats did their tricks, if they felt like it. If they didn't feel like it, they either ran in a different direction or pranced around looking cute. So it was really a win-win situation for all involved. I didn't take any good pictures or video at the circus, but I dug around online and found some quality videos. Since I'm reasonably sure most of you have never seen a trained cat act, I thought I'd share them below! Follow me below Tuna, the star of the show and the ringer of the cow bell...
First, the main act. Because yes, there's more to the Acro-Cats than meets the eye! Brace yourself for cuteness overload...
But see, it's not enough just to do the standard circus acts. Some of these cats are so talented that they decided to put together the world's very first (and, to date, only) feline rock band. And, as Martin emphasizes to the audience, being the world's only cat band makes them the world's best.
I suppose this is a good time to mention that the act also features a chicken, who plays the cymbals in the band.
The band was even featured on Animal Planet's Must Love Cats.
The Rock Cats specialize in 80s music...
Consider this an advertisement for the Amazing Acro-Cats--if your city is blessed enough to be visited by their feline talent, I highly recommend you go see the full show!
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