Live Animals

[Pickles]

How many of you currently use live animals in your magic shows or have done so in the past? A few years ago I incorporated my bunny "Vanish" into my show ("Wanna see my rabbit vanish?") Vanish is no longer with us, and my new bunny, Princess, is too chubby to fit into my props and also a little too emotional fragile (she was adopted from an animal shelter). But I have all of these expensive magic rabbit props, and I need to decide if I should get back into using live animals or sell this stuff. Also, I know some people believe that using animals in this way is a form of animal abuse. I'd also like your opinions on that. Thanks!

[Fitzwilly]

Forget you ever heard the part about animal abuse. Let me see, a rabbit in the wild struggles to find food, gets chased by the neighborhood dogs, shot at by the local gardners (and sometimes they don't miss) and a number of them end up in the middle of the road pretending to be a FORD (Found On Road Dead). Whereas a "working" rabbit has a nice warm cage, a carefully balanced nutritionally enhanced diet, is played with and dotted over, has its fur brushed and toe nails clipped, and is required to "work" about 3 to 5 minutes during an hour show. This sounds more like a high priced model to me.

I have grown up with all kinds on animals, and without a doubt I can say that they are just that, animals. They are not people cressed up in little animal outfits. They don't have the brain of an atomic scientist (perhaps on more advanced than a politician). They are simply animals doing what God progamed them to do.

[Cubby T. Clown & Cuddles]

We have never used animals in our show, however, we do have 2 small dogs that seem to love participating in parades with us.

I wish we had the patience to train them to be in our show. When they see us getting into costume they lay by the front door looking depressed. When we pull out their costumes and leashes before a parade we can see them perk up.

Our parade audiences now expect to see them when they see us in a parade. If they are not with us people always ask about them! (I think they have their own fan club!)

[Pickles]

Woohoo! I just noticed that I'm not a "newbie" anymore! Break out the champagne!

Fitzwilly, I appreciate your opinion on this. Have you used animals in your shows? My personal opinion is that it adds an exciting dimension to a show but that it is definitely a hassle. I wouldn't have done it if I thought it was stressful or harmful to my critters, but I sure would hate for a PETA activist to dump paint on my rabbit wringer or circus wagon! I don't know if I'll attempt the rabbit tricks again or not. Maybe.

And I beg to differ regarding your comment on animals not being on the same level as atomic scientists. I have a cat who I occasionally dress up in a checkered bikini and/or clown hat & ruffle, and I suspect he IS a kitty Einstein. (he's definitely smarter than most politicians -- I think he's a "DemoCAT.")

[Pickles]

Cubby and Cuddles: I'd love to see a photo of your dogs all decked out in their parade gear!

[pixcoco]

I used a bunny in my show for years. He was very happy to be in his box. (much like a hole in the wild) He was also very happy to see all of the kids. He was very social.
I was working towards using my dog when 9-11 happened. That changed the insurance for clowns so much. Animals were no longer allowed by the insurance carrier for COAI. Over time, and I think poss. because I switched to WCA small animals are allowed again but I have not got another bunny. The kids really like it. The bunny likes it. It is more work.
I discovered a good place to get your bunny. At 4-H shows they will often see the 2nd and 3rd place bunnies for cheap. They are still young animals and you know for sure how big they will get. They have also been raised by kids. And they know if they are male or female. I find that male bunnies have a better temperment. Females need to be 'fixed' to be assured they will not bite.

[Gladman]

We bring our own petting zoo with whatever we have on hand, if the situation permits it.
preschoolgraduation07

[Lolly Plop]

I had a kid friendley ferret that I used to bring to parties. I put a colorful hair scrunchie around his neck so he looked like he had a ruffled clown collar. I also put a dot of red makeup on his pink nose. He loved the attention, when he was performing, but not being cooped up in a cage for the rest of the show. He was never locked up at home. Since most ferrets are kept in cages 24/7 He had a great life. He died years ago, it broke my heart and I use a spring rabbit now.

[Pickles]

Ohmygosh, I want a birthday party FERRET! That is a scream.

I wonder if I could train my hamster for birthday parties. Of course, he's nocturnal, so all of the parties would have to be held after 10 p.m. Hmmmm.

[Jolly Well]

I think abuse is situational. Gimmicked boxes that make primped rabbits disappear are harmless; whereas props and training that harms (up to and including death) can easily qualify as abuse. It really depends on what you want to use in your shows though - your conscience, rather than PETA will be your compass.

Most (I would say all, but Larry James claims his new TT is improved) goldfish production devices kill the fish eventually; and will absolutely do them in if you don't get to the trick first thing. Many people will adopt the "it's just a fish..." that you can get a dozen per dollar and will carry on. Same is true with circuses; many of us left circus work due to treatment of elephants (as well as other animals) during transport and training, but there are obviously still animal based circuses in business today - people still perform and people still attend. It all falls back to which route you want to take your performance in the end.