Do you suspect that your pet has latent thespian talents? Might you, for example, be the proud owner of a canine de Niro or an arachnid Olivier? If so, there are film and television companies out there who want to hear from you. Animals of all kinds are in constant demand, both as bit-players, and, occasionally, as stars in their own right. But before you decide to give up the day job in order to manage your pet's meteoric rise to the top, there are a few things to consider.

First, don't imagine that, just because Rover can say "sausages" or do a back-flip on command, he'll easily be able to extend his repertoire. The fact is, however talented you believe your pet to be, most animals are actually more like Hugh Grant and Charles Bronson: they're only really capable of giving the one performance. Success therefore comes from developing and exploiting their niche speciality.

Jackie Rowberry, who runs Dorking-based Animal Dramatics, explains: "Film companies will come to me and request, say, a fully-trained dog. But I have to ask them what they mean. For instance, I can supply a dog that's trained to fetch. Or another that acts as a guide dog. But if they want one that does both, we might actually have to use two, identical dogs. Every animal on our books has an aptitude for certain, specific activities."

Jackie founded Animal Dramatics 10 years ago as a sort of animal RADA-cum-theatrical agency. Successful alumni - including cats, dogs, sheep, deer, pigs, caterpillars, and shrimps - have appeared in such shows as The Bill, Soldier, Soldier, Rory Bremner Tonight, Hale and Pace, and, recently, a Spice Girls video. Before they can even think about aiming for these dizzy heights, however, all would-be stars must attend an audition.

"People ring me up and say they've got a talented pet who can do such and such," says Jackie. "Maybe it can when directed by its owner. But can it perform in front of a stranger - me - in a place other than its own home? If it can't, then there's no way it will be able to work in the alien environment of a film set. I can usually tell at once if the animal has what it takes. The most important qualities are an outgoing personality and an ability to mix easily with strangers. "

The subsequent training - "a combination of kindness, patience, and food" - then depends on the complexity of the performance required, and, of course, the type of animal. Some, such as spiders, insects, and crustacea, are doomed by natural design and intellect only to play poorly-paid walk (or crawl)-on roles. It's usually the mammals that get the top jobs and salaries. However, "top salary" for an animal actor has to be set in context. Says Jackie: "Some people think there's an absolute fortune to be made when your pet is on television. Actually, there isn't."

Even those very few animals who reach superstar status - Arthur, of Kattomeat fame, for instance, or the Dulux dog - reportedly earn only five-figure salaries. The reality is that, whereas a human actor like Brando has the clout, pedigree, and shelf-life to command top dollar, if plain old Fido tries to hold out for $30 million a picture and a percentage in dog biscuits, the producers will instantly replace him with a less demanding lookalike. So, yes, there is money to be made from having your pet in showbusiness, but in most cases, only enough to pay the Winalot bill.

Animal Dramatics 07000 887 387