While many regular circuses are hotbeds of cruelty, where mistreatment of wild animals passes as “training,” cat circuses are something else altogether. The only way to get a cat to do anything is to make it a pleasurable and fun experience, and circus cats have trained humans how to properly put on a show. Gregory Popovich, in fact, has been trained so well that the cats who work with him don’t require him to give them treats — just praise for their efforts!
Popovich has even written a behavior book for humans. Ignore the fact that it is called You CAN Train Your Cat —
Here is another circus video from Russia. These cats look like they are really enjoying themselves — they are eager to do their tricks, even the final one, who does something that I consider really scary!
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LOVE the circus cats!! We saw a program with Gregory Popovich and his daughter. They adopt ALL the kitties they train for their program from the Las Vegas Animal Shelter. How cool is that? They explained what they look for in kitties to assess if they will be good performers or not.
Cat’s rock don’t they!!!
Congratulations on winning the Pettie Award Sparkle!!!
Mom saw the ads for Popovich’s cat circus when she was in Vegas. Unfortunately she didn’t have time to see it. She doesn’t like “real” circuses that have animals in them either. She said they make her sad.
Purrs,
Clarissa & Co.
Congrats on your award!!! This circus is purrfect!
I didn’t know that cat can be trained in the circus too! Awesome!
The orange kitty on the parallel bars was just the BEST! Too bad Red Kitty is a bit too fat to try it….I think.
Congratulations on your award, Sparkle!!
Concats on your awardie, Sparkle!
We loved the first video but not the last trick on the second one. I don’t think the kitteh was unhappy or scared, but we were!
No Human could EVER get me to do ANY of those things though, MOL! I suppose those kitties prolly have really interesting lives but I’ll take my foodz and my napz!
No tricks here either. My human is lucky I allow her to take photos of me… most of the time.
These were fun to watch but I like the first one better. I think I’m doing well if I can get my cats to pose with our new books each week for our book blog header!
Congratulations on your VERY well deserved award:)
Those videos are amazing. I saw a cat show at Sea World a few years ago which was pretty amazing. They were all rescues 🙂
Concats on winning the Pettie. Those cats are amazing, but we did find the second video somewhat disturbing as the last kitty appeared to be strapped in.
I actually think he was strapped in to keep him stable, and it was more for his safety than anything else. And when he pranced off after his trick, his tail was in the air and he looked happy. Frankly, I think he – and his trainer – are a little nuts.
Those circus kitties are very talented! We like the one who rides on the doggie’s back. We’re going to try that with our sisfur Sadie!
Concatulations on winning the Pettie Sparkle!
I must say I am quite impressed-esp with Mr Fire paws. A fascinating display of feline talent.
Our mom and dad saw performing cats when they went to Key West!
ps: Big congratulations to you, Sparkle, for winning the Pettie! I am so happy and excited for you!!!
Congratulations on winning the Pettie!!…Those circus cats are really amazing, lovely sweethearts; the last Russia circus act with the fire made our Mommy uncomfortable though=although the cat was brilliant, it just seemed too dangerous…Have a fun Sunday, sweetie…kisses…Calle, Halle, Sukki
I felt a little uncomfortable about the last trick too. I almost didn’t add that video, except all the cats – including the fire cat – looked like they were really enjoying themselves and so eager to do their tricks.
uh oh…we think Mommy might be getting ideas. Quit thinking, Mommy, it’s bad for you.
ConCats on winning the Pettie! Hurrah!
Concatulations on your win, Sparkle!!!
Congrats on your award.
I like watching the circus cats.
Concatulations!! Those videos are pawsome.
Never seen anything like it. Jan can not see these videos! She might get ideas.
The circus cat vids are great! We cannot believe how calm the kitties are amidst the noise! Super-concats on winning the Pettie, Sparkle! Woo hoo!!!
-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie
Sparkle! Concats on winning the Pettie! That is fantastic!
The circus cats are amazing, but it still looks like too much work to us!
ConCatulations on winning the Pettie!
We enjoyed those videos but we hope our Mom doesn’t get any ideas!
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Our mom has seen some of these circus cats….looks like fun, but we don’t think we wanna be in the circus.
Congrats on winning the Pettie, Sparkle!
Sometime it just feels like a circus around here!!! Hey Sparkle, congratulations on the Pettie!!!
Concats Sparkle! I saw your human accept your award for you on the video!
Conctas on the Pettie Award!
The circus cats are amazing. Thanks for sharing the videos.
A big congrats to you Sparkle on winning the Pettie. We were so excited for you.
The circus videos is terrific. We have never seen a cat circus before.
Have a great Sunday.
I can barely get my cats to sit still for *one* photo — that is amazing!
That only proves my point. . . . we cats ROCK!
HOLY….!!!!
This human has never seen anything like it. Absolutely amazing. That last stunt, in the second video, truly was scary.
P.S. Concats on winning the Pettie!
Congrats my friend, we’re so happy to hear about your award!! Well done!!