FROM ACTING IN movies to performing at circuses, animals often entertain people. Animal rights and animal welfare organizations have focused on improving the lives of animals that are in the public eye. They have initiated campaigns for humane treatment of performing animals. Many of these campaigns have targeted the television and film industry because this industry employs thousands of animals.

Since the early 1950s animals had starring roles in films and television. In 1951 a chimpanzee played a key role in the movie Bedtime for Bonzo, and during the next decade a Palomino horse played the main character of the television show Mr. Ed. In 1994 Marcel the monkey was a supporting character in the television comedy Friends. Four years later a pig played the leading role of the film Babe.

Animal agencies

Producers of movies and television typically hire animal actors from animal...