HAS YOUR PET GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Of course your pet is the cutest, most adorable, smartest, captivating creature God ever put breath into. People even stop you in the street to tell you this and that he should be in pet food commercials.

He may even have a few hundred thousand followers on Instagram or attracted a million views on YouTube.

But, chances are, he’s probably not going to cut it as the next Red Dog, Oddball or Babe.

Industry veteran and founder of Animal Stars Sue Thompson says casting creatures for stage and screen is not all about looks. Here is Sue’s checklist to determine whether your pet has real star quality:

1. A CALM AND RELAXED NATURE

You’ve got to start with this. It’s hard to tick the other boxes without it.

2. ADAPTABLE AND FLEXIBLE

The ability to fit in anywhere and not be fazed, nervous or distracted.

3. OBEDIENT IN ANY ENVIRONMENT

This means the beach, the dog park, a busy street, in the company of other animals. It’s one thing to listen to you in your own backyard but another to do it in any number of unfamiliar environments.

4. TRAINED IN THE BASICS

That includes sit, stay, shake, walk on a leash nicely, retrieve, perhaps weave through basic obstacles (this applies to dogs but if your cat can do these things, it’s an absolute bonus). If your pet has learned the basics, they can generally be trained in further skills.

5. A FEW SPECIAL OR UNIQUE TRICKS

Talking on cue, leaping, acrobatic frisbee catching, skateboarding, ladder climbing, signature party tricks – the more the better.

6. CUTE AND FUNNY

They always work.