Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

Introduction and Background of Samantha Martin and the Acro-Cats

• Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats have upcoming tour dates in various locations, including Colorado Springs, Casper, Billings, Missoula, Bloomington, Columbus, Champagne, Grand Rapids, Lafayette, and Bont, with tickets available at theovon.com (23s)
• Samantha Martin is a cat advocate, performer, and trainer with almost 20 years of experience, touring with her performance crew of cats called the Acro-Cats (38s)
• The Acro-Cats perform routines, tricks, and more, and Samantha has also started the only all-cat band in the world, Tuna and The Rock Cats (48s)
• Samantha emphasizes that cats are often misunderstood, being thought of as aloof and untrainable, but they are actually brilliant and require socialization and work, just like dogs (2m27s)

Cat Breeds and Characteristics

• Cats come in various sizes, from petite to giant, with some breeds like the Maine Coon being particularly large, and Samantha's rescue cats are of mixed breeds (3m42s)
• Samantha notes that breeding for certain characteristics, such as short legs, can be uncomfortable for cats and affect their mobility (4m5s)
• Cats are capable of learning and performing impressive feats, and Samantha aims to showcase their abilities through her work with the Acro-Cats (1m41s)
• The cats that work with Samantha Martin can vary in size, but they are generally smaller, with the main exception being the Maine Coon breed, which is known for being larger, but not typically used for Acro-Cats due to their size (4m26s).
• The ideal size for an Acro-Cat is similar to that of a stray or orphaned cat, which tends to be smaller and more agile, allowing them to climb higher and jump further (5m4s).
• The best Acro-Cats often have "shortcat syndrome" and an attitude, which makes them more suitable for the job, and they are usually rescues or strays (5m14s).
• Samantha Martin's Acro-Cats are all former orphans, rescues, and strays, with no purebred cats (5m41s).
• The Amazing Acro-Cats are a troop of former orphan rescues and strays that have been trained to do impressive things, with the goal of showing people that cats can be trained (6m21s).

Samantha Martin's Early Life and Career

• Samantha Martin started her career working with rats and wildlife education, and has been working with animals since she was 10 years old (7m3s).
• She knew she wanted to be an animal trainer since she was seven years old, and her parents' influence and her own experiences with animals helped shape her career path (7m19s).
• Samantha Martin's parents used to send out annual Christmas letters detailing their family's activities, which she found annoying, but they did help her develop her writing skills (7m32s).
• The Amazing Acro-Cats travel around the country in a large bus, which was upgraded from a small ambulance, and they perform to show people the capabilities of trained cats (6m38s).
• Samantha Martin wanted a cat as soon as she was able to talk, and her childhood Christmas letters reflect this desire (8m11s).
• At the age of seven, Martin wrote in a book that she wanted to be an animal trainer when she grew up, which she believes is similar to having a spiritual connection with animals (8m18s).
• Martin's parents had different plans for her, wanting her to attend college, get a degree, and marry someone with a good future, but she had other aspirations (8m45s).
• After college, Martin moved to Chicago and started a business with rats, inspired by a documentary on animal trainer Modesto "Mod" Deesso, who trained rats for the original Ben and Willard movies (9m46s).
• Deesso was a Hollywood animal trainer who trained over 600 rats and won a PETA award for directing Ben the rat in Willard and its sequel (10m38s).
• Martin got to meet Deesso after getting stranded in California while working on a rat documentary called "Rat" with Mark Lewis, who gave her her big break in training rats and working on documentaries (10m59s).
• Samantha Martin worked on a documentary, filming the first part in New York and the second part in Los Angeles, where she met animal trainer Mark Hardin, also known as "Modic Cesso", at his ranch and stayed with him for three weeks to learn about animal training (11m32s).
• During her stay, she cleaned and organized his training room, and he worked with her every day to teach her about training, forming a close bond with him (12m0s).
• After leaving Mark Hardin's ranch, Samantha Martin finished the documentary and became a rat trainer, and later a chicken trainer, working on a film called "The Natural History of Chickens" with Mark Lewis (12m41s).
• Mark Lewis was a demanding and intense director who would yell at his staff if things didn't go as planned, but Samantha Martin learned a lot from him and appreciated his expertise (13m5s).

Working with Rats and the Amazing Acro-Rats

• For the chicken training project, Samantha Martin had to find a white silky hen that would go broody, lay eggs, and sit on them, which was challenging because broodiness had been bred out of most chickens (14m1s).
• She then had to replace the eggs with golf balls, transport the chicken to a location in the South, and use an incubator to hatch the eggs on the exact day needed for filming (14m25s).
• Training a rooster to crow on command was a challenging task, especially before the internet, and required self-taught methods and experimentation to find what naturally made the rooster crow (14m56s).
• The training process involved using a baby monitor to detect when the rooster crowed, then immediately rewarding it with treats and a clicker to create a pattern (15m27s).
• A signal, such as waving an American flag, was used to cue the rooster to crow, allowing for more control over the behavior (15m57s).
• The goal was to create a pattern and associate the signal with the desired behavior, despite not knowing exactly what was being done (16m8s).
• Other ideas, such as teaching a chicken to follow a ribbon to position it in front of a camera, were also explored to achieve specific camera shots (16m15s).
• The hard work and hyperfocus on training the chickens paid off, and the film turned out beautifully (16m36s).
• The experience of working with chickens was remarkable, especially considering the lack of knowledge about them at the start (16m46s).
• The transition to working with rats, which were initially the first animals trained, was driven by the idea of showcasing their intelligence and trainability (17m11s).
• Rats were chosen due to their intelligence, trainability, and misunderstood nature, with the goal of creating a show to gain attention and potentially lead to bigger opportunities (17m33s).
• The idea of creating a show with rats was developed while working at a pet shop in Chicago, with the aim of promoting a positive image of rats and potentially leading to a breakthrough in the film industry (17m50s).
• A pet store owner was importing animals from other countries, but it seemed to be a front as he didn't care about the animals' well-being and was only interested in making a profit by buying in bulk and selling at least one animal (18m47s).
• The owner's idea was to get a huge discount by buying 100 animals at a time, even if most of them died, as long as he could sell at least one and make a profit (18m52s).
• The narrator took care of the animals, separating snakes, feeding them, and researching how to care for them at the library, as they were in charge of the rodents and reptile section (19m8s).
• The narrator created cage cards to educate customers on the needs of specific animals, including heating lights, rocks, and other necessary items (19m35s).
• The narrator had a trained rat show, which performed in nightclubs, featuring six or seven rats that could climb ladders, jump through hoops, bowl, and even perform a rescue trick with a doll and a fake burning house (20m21s).
• The rat show was called the "Amazing Acro-Rats," and the narrator had business cards made, hoping to get hired for film, television, or live shows (21m0s).
• The narrator's ambition was to be ready for any opportunity, including working with animals for movies, after being inspired by a documentary (21m10s).
• The narrator's rat show was performing in Chicago, and they were feeling like they were on the right path after seeing a documentary and getting to work with animals (21m33s).
• Samantha Martin started by performing with rats in nightclubs in Chicago, where she would bring the rats in and perform, often relying on a "pass the hat" system for payment, and the initial conversations with performance venues were facilitated by her roommate's connections (21m44s).
• The performances were usually staged at nightclubs, where people would watch the rats perform, and Martin's goal was to get attention for the rats and eventually get a break to take her career to the next level (22m32s).
• Martin's big break came when she was working at a pet store and two men walked in looking for trained rats for a film, and she offered to provide the rats for free in exchange for a movie credit (23m16s).
• Martin quit her full-time job to work on the one-day film shoot, which turned out to be her big break, and everything changed for her after that, including an appearance on WGN (23m47s).
• Martin prepared the rats for the film shoot by rehearsing with them the day before, and on the day of the shoot, the rats performed perfectly, allowing Martin to create the desired ambiance (24m9s).
• Martin notes that creating an electric field or ambiance with animals, especially when working on a set, can be challenging, but she was able to achieve it with the rats through her training and preparation (24m38s).
• Samantha Martin has a unique experience with her trained animals, describing a moment when everything comes together and it's a magical moment, with the whole crew applauding in amazement (25m16s).
• A film crew showed up on set because they heard about the "rat lady," a nickname coined by the media, and CNN picked up the story, broadcasting it across the country (25m33s).
• As a result, Samantha Martin was invited to appear on an Italian television show, "The Mino deato show," on Christmas Eve with her trained rats (25m47s).
• She traveled to Italy with about six rats, including Jasper, Ramsay, and Cicero, which were named after streets in Chicago (26m2s).
• During the Italian TV show, Samantha Martin did not have an earpiece for translation, but the host translated for her, repeating the questions in English and then translating her answers back into Italian (27m5s).
• Despite being known as the "rat lady," Samantha Martin received a lot of attention from men, including stalkers, with one rich stalker showing up in a limo outside her house (27m47s).
• She appeared on several big talk shows, including WGN Chicago and CNN, after her initial appearance on the Italian TV show, which helped her gain widespread recognition (28m22s).
• Samantha Martin had a series with Paulie, a weasel, where she trapped him in a room with rats overnight for a two-part episode, and Paulie seemed to be flirting with her, but she wasn't familiar with him at the time (28m36s).
• Weasels and rats are not related, as weasels belong to a different group, and they might be enemies, but Samantha Martin isn't sure (29m7s).
• Samantha Martin's show with the rats was around 10-15 minutes long, and she didn't get paid much, but she received free drinks and tips, and it was a fun experience that helped her build a name and get known as the "Rat Lady of Chicago" (29m31s).
• The experience with the rats led to other opportunities, including walking around with a snake at a club, and it all started with an idea and a chance encounter with some guys at a pet store (30m25s).
• Samantha Martin is very knowledgeable about rats and loves them, and she considers herself a "rat at heart" (30m48s).

Transition to Cats and the Acro-Cats

• The conversation briefly shifts to selling products online and how Shopify can help with a successful sales platform, mentioning its benefits, such as a high checkout conversion rate and a $1 per month trial period (31m22s).
• Samantha Martin is now known for her work with the Acro-Cats, but the conversation doesn't delve into the details of how she got into that (32m33s).
• Samantha Martin initially worked with rats and experimented with incorporating a cat into one of her shows, but the cat proved to be difficult to work with and abandoned the performance (32m41s).
• The cat was supposed to wear antlers and pull a sled with rats wearing Santa hats, but it zipped across the stage during a live performance, causing chaos (33m6s).
• Martin didn't work with cats for a long time after that experience but continued to work with rats, eventually expanding her work as a wildlife educator (33m40s).
• As a wildlife educator, Martin taught kids about wildlife in schools and libraries, but she still received rat-related work, including music videos and horror movies (33m52s).
• Despite getting rat-related work, Martin realized that it wasn't enough income, and she had to consider other options (34m25s).
• Martin's animals, including the rats, lived with her, and at one point, she had a dedicated "rat room" in her apartment (34m30s).
• The rats would sometimes escape from the room by chewing holes in the screen, and Martin would have to patch up the damage (34m52s).
• Martin believes that the rats were just being their natural selves and didn't have any desire to be part of the show or not; they were simply rats doing what rats do (35m28s).
• Samantha Martin raised her animals, including rats, from babies and they became part of her daily life, requiring her to acclimate them to public settings from an early age, which was a lot of work and dedication (36m1s).
• She would often take her rats with her in public, carrying them in a carrier or pushing a stroller, and people's reactions would change from excitement to shock upon seeing the rats (36m24s).
• Despite the initial reactions, Samantha Martin believes rats are wonderful pets, misunderstood due to their name, and she convinced many people to become rat lovers, even suggesting rats as a better pet for children than hamsters (36m42s).
• Rats are affectionate, can be taught tricks and names, and are less likely to bite children, making them a great pet option (36m54s).

Early Experiences with Cats and Challenges

• Samantha Martin's first job was selling hamsters outside raves and concerts, and she grew up in a hamster breeding area, where roborovski hamsters were a popular breed (37m8s).
• The market for hamsters changed with the import of Russian hamsters, which affected the local breeding business and led to a shift in popularity towards other breeds (37m45s).
• Samantha Martin hand-raised her rats and did not take them away from their mothers prematurely, waiting until they were weaned before starting to care for them and carry them around in public (38m18s).
• Once the rats were weaned, Samantha Martin would carry them around in her pocket, on her shoulder, or in her hair, and they became very comfortable with her (38m49s).
• Samantha Martin's cats would often switch between her shoulder and someone else's, showing their affectionate and personal nature, which she believes is often misunderstood about cats and rats alike (39m3s).
• Rats have a bad reputation, partly due to the movie "Willard" and often being portrayed as villains in films, but efforts like the Chuck E. Cheese's rat mascot have helped improve their image (39m39s).
• Despite this, some people still don't understand the value of rats, and Martin sometimes refers to them as "African durables" or "Honduran hamsters" to change people's attitudes (40m26s).
• Martin has a stand-up comedy tour called the "Return of the Rat tour" and considers herself a "rat king" due to her affection for rats (40m7s).
• To transport her rats on flights, Martin would obtain a health certificate listing them as "Honduran longtailed hamsters" to avoid issues with people who dislike rats (41m2s).
• Martin has never been married, as she knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue her passion for working with animals, and she valued her freedom to make life decisions without affecting a partner (41m29s).
• Martin's parents were married for 54 years and had a wonderful marriage, but she chose a different path to focus on her career and personal goals (42m19s).
• Samantha Martin grew up in a household that was very strict and stifling, which she often compares to the movie Pleasantville, and she always yearned for adventure, excitement, and the opportunity to train animals for film and television (42m26s).
• She developed a love for horror movies, which led her to work with rats, and she never pursued the traditional route of marriage and settling down (42m48s).
• Martin has had several great romances and relationships over the years, but she often had to end them in the spring due to baby season, when she would be busy bottle-feeding animals (43m16s).
• She believes that women often use excuses, such as having to bottle-feed animals, to avoid romantic relationships, but in her case, it was a genuine reason (43m40s).
• Martin has received marriage proposals in the past, but she never wanted to settle down and become a housewife, instead valuing her freedom and independence (44m20s).
• She wants to live her life on her own terms and have the ability to make her own choices without being tied down by traditional expectations (45m12s).
• Rats are often misunderstood and overlooked animals, but they deserve a chance to be appreciated and understood (45m53s).
• A regular-sized cat is approximately 9.1 to 9.8 inches tall, or about 10 inches in height (46m42s).

The Amazing Acro-Cats Show and its Evolution

• The transition to working with cats began when an ex-girlfriend, who loved cats and had two of them, introduced the idea of the Acro-Cats and their performances (47m0s).
• The ex-girlfriend had attended a show by Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats in Portland, Oregon, which sparked interest and curiosity (47m48s).
• Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats have faced challenges, including a diagnosis of cancer, which required a year off for treatment and recovery (48m32s).
• After recovering from cancer, the group went back on tour, but a driver who had been working with them for four or five years scammed them and tried to steal their bus, causing significant financial damage (48m56s).
• The bus was out of commission for two years, and upon its return, the group had to undo the damage caused by the driver, who had been supposed to convert another bus but instead caused harm (49m22s).
• Samantha Martin's bus was being retrofitted by a driver who was also a pathological liar, and he stripped the wrap off the bus, tore out the interior, and removed the catification features, despite the bus being in good condition (49m46s).
• The bus was originally purchased through a Kickstarter campaign, and Samantha Martin had just paid it off, but the driver's actions caused significant damage and financial loss (50m17s).
• The driver's actions were considered a felony, but prosecution was difficult due to his young age and the sheriff's family connections in the small town (50m41s).
• The sheriff questioned Samantha Martin as if she was the one at fault, and the lack of assets made it difficult to find a lawyer to take the case (50m54s).
• The incident had a significant impact on Samantha Martin's life and plans, including her dreams of doing good work, such as rescuing animals in crisis situations (51m13s).
• The bus had to be repaired and restored to its original shape, but it has been a long and difficult process, with setbacks and additional expenses, including dry rot from sitting idle during the COVID-19 pandemic (51m35s).
• The bus is currently in a shop in Iowa, but the repairs have been delayed, and Samantha Martin is facing challenges in getting it fixed due to a lack of priority and respect as a female business owner (52m6s).

Challenges and Triumphs on the Road

• Samantha Martin often has to resort to having a male associate make calls on her behalf to get things done, due to the struggle to get respect as a woman in a male-dominated industry (52m38s).
• The experience has been rough, but Samantha Martin is finally getting things back on track, although it's still hard to find help and reliable staff, particularly female staff who are allowed to travel by their partners (52m50s).
• Samantha Martin initially worked with rats, but realized she couldn't make a living solely with them, leading her to expand her business to include other animals and rename it "Amazing Animals" (53m17s).
• She started doing wildlife shows at schools and libraries, educating kids, but her true passion was training animals for film and television (53m50s).
• Martin found that there wasn't much work available for rats, and with many dog trainers already in the industry, she decided to revisit working with cats (54m12s).
• Despite knowing that cats are difficult to work with, Martin decided to give them another shot, as she had always loved cats and wanted to see them in commercials or films (54m32s).
• She began by working with a cat named Tuna, who was brilliant and focused, and used clicker training to teach her tricks (55m28s).
• Martin started taking Tuna to pet expos and other events, showcasing her skills and raising money for rescue organizations (55m43s).
• She eventually put together a show featuring Tuna and other cats, including a band called the Rock Cats, which performed at an art gallery (56m6s).
• The Rock Cats band consisted of cats playing instruments, including guitar, drums, and piano, with Tuna playing the cowbell (56m26s).
• Samantha Martin was the donation collector for a band called the Rockats, which featured a cat band, and she had to encourage people to put money in the tip jar (56m35s).
• The cat band had their own table with instruments and scent, and the setup seemed to work, but the rest of the act was not as successful (56m52s).
• Martin initially used a crude setup with ladders, rope, and dog agility props, but the cats would not perform, possibly due to stage fright or anger (57m10s).
• Martin tried to figure out what the cats needed to feel comfortable, and she started bringing a roll-out floor with their scent on it to the performances (57m51s).
• The cats also needed to know what was behind them, so Martin put up a backdrop to provide a solid wall (58m7s).
• With time and practice, the cats became more comfortable in the new environment, and one cat, Tuna, became a solid performer, while the others were more hesitant (58m17s).
• Martin had to come up with funny things to say during the performances to fill in the gaps while waiting for the cats to do something (58m36s).
• As the performer, Martin had to be flexible and adapt to the cats' unpredictable behavior, which was partly due to her personal relationship with them (58m45s).
• Martin has a close bond with the cats, having raised some of them from a young age, and they often sleep in her bed and accompany her on road trips (59m7s).
• Over time, the cats taught Martin what they needed to feel comfortable and secure, and she learned to adapt to their needs (59m41s).

Training and Performance Dynamics

• Samantha Martin's cat show features cats that are comfortable on stage, and they have learned to associate applause and laughter with positive reinforcement, leading them to perform for the audience's reaction (59m45s).
• The cats are trained using a primary reinforcer, which is food, and a secondary reinforcer, which is applause and laughter, to encourage them to perform tricks (59m52s).
• The cats have the freedom to decide what they want to do and when, and Samantha Martin follows along, making witty comments to cover their slow or failed moments (1h0m37s).
• Each cat has a unique story and special skills, and Samantha Martin shares these stories during the show (1h0m48s).
• The show is largely improvised, with the cats' actions dictating the performance, and Samantha Martin must be prepared to react to their behavior (1h1m26s).
• The cats have a safe space in their carriers, which serve as a portable green room, and they are whistle-trained to return to their carriers in emergency situations (1h1m33s).
• Samantha Martin is constantly reading and communicating with the cats during the show, making mental notes about their preferences and dislikes (1h2m12s).
• The cats have the option to return to their carriers if they feel uncomfortable or need a break, providing them with a sense of security and control (1h2m42s).
• Samantha Martin also takes the cats on outings and camping trips for fun, using harnesses and backpacks to ensure their safety (1h2m50s).
• Samantha Martin aims to "bombproof" her cats, making them comfortable in any atmosphere, especially with loud noises, by using a clicker and treats to turn bad experiences into good ones (1h3m8s).
• She uses this technique to help her cats get used to fireworks, thunder, and other potentially distressing sounds, making them unbothered by such noises (1h3m51s).
• Over the years, Samantha has improved at reading her cats' needs and no longer requires the floor for them, but still uses a solid back wall (1h4m19s).
• The cats are trustworthy and have their favorite treats, with some having allergies that require special treats like turkey or Primo (1h4m39s).
• Samantha negotiates with her seasoned cat, Usty, when it comes to performing tricks, and Usty has her favorite treats (1h4m48s).

Tuna's Legacy and New Cats

• The original Tuna, a cat in the show, passed away due to cancer, and Samantha had a last round of shows with her before she passed (1h7m0s).
• The original Tuna, a cat, passed away after a Christmas show in New Orleans, and the owner had to let fans know about her passing due to their strong connection with the cat (1h7m5s).
• The owner had five white cats audition to take Tuna's place, and Tuna helped train them before she passed away (1h7m41s).
• Two cats, AI Tuna and Albore Tuna, were chosen to take the original Tuna's place, and the original Tuna helped choose them (1h7m58s).
• The owner shared pictures of the original Tuna with AI Tuna and Albore Tuna, showing them ringing bells together, to help fans grieve and accept the new cats (1h8m11s).
• The owner's ex-girlfriend was a cat lover and was good at loving people and cats, which was evident in how much she loved the cats (1h8m33s).
• The original Tuna was cremated, and her ashes are kept in a special glass area with other deceased cats, including Pinky, the first cat to pass away (1h8m57s).
• The pandemic was tough on the cats due to the lack of stimulus, and the owner lost a couple of cats during that time, including two 17-year-old cats, Oz and Newie (1h9m19s).
• Oz and Newie were part of the owner's cat training from the beginning, and Oz was named after the TV series "Oz" (1h9m44s).
• Oz had a temper and would occasionally beat up an orange cat, which the owner attributes to the violent programming Oz was exposed to during bottle feeding (1h10m18s).
• Samantha Martin had a cat named Oz who had a dark side but was loved by everyone, and he was included in the show with tricks that were tailored to his abilities, such as jumping through a tissue paper hoop, which he would often tear open and walk through (1h10m43s).
• Oz was not the brightest cat, but he was endearing, and people loved him for his unique personality and antics.
• Samantha Martin also had a cat named Me Knew who was brilliant and could do a lot, including playing the piano, but she became cranky in her old age and would only do a few tricks before wanting to rest (1h11m21s).
• Me Knew was one of Samantha Martin's best film cats, and she was very attached to her, making it difficult to lose her when the time came (1h11m22s).
• Samantha Martin currently has a two-year-old cat and is auditioning new cats for the show, as two of her senior cats have recently retired (1h12m3s).
• Two potential new cats, including one named Crush, who was rescued from a salvage lot, are being considered for the show, and Crush has already shown promise by hopping on a skateboard after just one training session (1h12m17s).
• Samantha Martin finds that female cats generally work better and have a better work ethic than males, who can be more laid-back and less motivated (1h12m52s).

Touring and Show Logistics

• The touring show started after Samantha Martin returned from a festival of cultures, where she was part of a wildlife program that was touring with other groups, and she decided to create her own educational and entertaining show featuring her cats (1h13m34s).
• Samantha Martin initially worked with Wildlife of the World, bringing out various animals and doing educational presentations, which sparked her love for touring and traveling (1h14m15s).
• She started with an ambulance, then converted an old ambulance into the Acro-Cats, and later got a small RV, where she set up a makeshift stage for her cat band to perform (1h14m36s).
• The cat band would play for people walking by the RV, and this experience made her realize that she could do something with the cats (1h14m56s).
• After Wildlife of the World decided not to include her in their next round of tours, she decided to pursue her passion for touring and traveling with the Acro-Cats (1h15m19s).
• She enjoys staying in places for extended periods, getting to know people, and experiencing the local culture, mentioning cities like New Orleans and San Diego (1h15m29s).
• She is also fond of roadside attractions and meeting new people, and is excited about performing on the East Coast, particularly in Portland, Maine (1h15m55s).
• She has a fascination with carnivals and the carnival lifestyle, which started when she read "The Boxcar Children" as a child (1h16m48s).
• She has learned a lot on the road, including how to handle challenges like popping all the tires on her first RV within the first six months of owning it (1h17m23s).
• The Amazing Acro-Cats started their first real show in 2006 at The Reversible Eye in Chicago, with around six or seven cats in the show (1h17m51s).
• The initial goal was to get the cats attention for film and television work, and it was working, with one of the cats, Bowie, appearing in a Blue Buffalo commercial (1h18m46s).

Rescuing and Fostering Cats

• By 2009, the show's dynamics had shifted, and some cats were renegotiating their "contracts" by only wanting to perform certain tricks, leading to the need to add new cats to the show (1h19m30s).
• The decision was made to add a rescue cat to the show, but instead of picking one, the plan was to foster a litter, train them, and then pick the best one and find homes for the rest (1h20m0s).
• A rescue organization was found that was in dire need of fosters, and they sent the person to a shelter that was an intake facility, not open to the public, where they were tasked with fostering a litter of kittens (1h20m25s).
• A person visited a room where 12 kittens were going to be euthanized due to a lack of homes, and they decided to take all the kittens and find them homes (1h20m52s).
• The kittens had respiratory issues, but the person was able to get them healthy and train them, realizing the severity of the pet overpopulation problem (1h21m28s).
• The person found homes for all 12 kittens and continued to help other cats in need, realizing that some cats are abandoned due to a lack of investment from their owners (1h22m26s).
• The person's experience led them to create a show that not only features cats performing tricks but also educates people on how to build relationships with their cats (1h23m4s).
• The show's goal is to inspire people to teach their cats tricks and build stronger relationships with them, and the person's cats are trained to follow them around the house like dogs (1h23m12s).
• Since 2009, the person has saved, fostered, and found homes for 340 cats and kittens, and they continue to foster and train cats for their show (1h23m34s).
• The person's adoption process is thorough, involving applications, reference checks, and training kits for the new owners, and the cats are trained to be comfortable traveling in cars and responding to a whistle (1h23m55s).
• Samantha Martin's cat show features cats performing tricks such as high-fiving, sitting pretty, spinning, and playing the piano, making them more likely to be kept by their owners as part of the family (1h24m9s).
• The cats are clicker-trained, and Martin ensures they are adopted into good homes, with the goal of not leaving any cat behind (1h24m36s).
• The show has a positive underbelly, with Martin finding homes for the performing cats and promoting cat adoption (1h25m7s).
• Martin believes that cats choose their owners and often appear in people's lives unexpectedly, with instances of stray cats showing up at her doorstep (1h25m37s).

Setbacks and Perseverance

• The tour has experienced challenges, including a "Texas Fiasco" where the bus broke down, and Martin had to cancel a show in Dallas (1h26m31s).
• Despite setbacks, Martin prioritizes the show and has continued to perform even while undergoing cancer treatment and dealing with a broken foot (1h27m5s).
• The show has a dedicated fan base, with repeat attendees and fans who have favorite cats and purchase merchandise featuring the performing cats (1h27m18s).
• Samantha Martin's tour bus broke down, and they had to get towed to a repair place, but it didn't get fixed in time, so they had to rent U-Hauls and live in the theater during the show run (1h27m30s).
• The show was canceled due to a freak snowstorm in Texas, but then it wasn't canceled, so they were living in the venue, ready to go, but the bus that was supposed to be ready for Houston broke down 20 minutes out of the shop (1h27m56s).
• They had to get another U-Haul, transfer all the cats, and get a rental car to get to the next venue, and luckily, the venues were amazing and let them move in and sleep in the venue (1h28m19s).
• On tour, Samantha usually has two assistants with her, and at one point, they had a driver, but post-COVID, drivers are hard to come by, and they want an obscene amount of money and a hotel room (1h28m36s).
• Samantha has learned how to drive the bus since she can't afford to hire a driver, and she owns the bus, so she doesn't need a commercial driver's license (1h29m25s).
• Samantha drives the bus for short drives, and they hire someone to drive for longer drives, and she loves the part of the tour where they get to settle in a campground and go back and forth to the venue (1h29m51s).
• Samantha has had issues with performers, such as when her assistant and merch person got COVID, and she had to do the entire show herself (1h30m32s).

Solo Show Challenges and Adaptability

• Samantha Martin had a challenging experience with her show, "Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats," where she had to handle multiple tasks, including setting up merchandise, doing opening announcements, and selling cat ears, all by herself, with the help of a few volunteers and a friend who didn't know the show's details (1h30m57s).
• Martin had to wing it during the show, as she didn't have time to rehearse and had to rely on a long script, but she learned a lot from the experience and made changes to the way she sells merchandise, making it more self-serve and efficient (1h32m15s).
• Martin believes in the phrase "The Show Must Go On" and has performed even when she was sick, doing her best to continue with the show despite challenges (1h32m54s).
• Managing herself, driving the bus, training the cats, and raising kittens is a lot of work, and Martin has to be prepared for anything, including having portable incubators for bottle babies and dealing with unexpected situations like being stopped by the police (1h33m28s).
• Despite the challenges, Martin has met many helpful people on the road who have come to her rescue, and she believes that animals bring out the best in people (1h33m52s).
• Martin has had cats that were talented and had it all, but sometimes things fell apart, and she compares it to the Cris Brown of cats, but she hasn't had many experiences like that (1h34m12s).

Cat Personalities and Quirks

• Samantha Martin has a cat that she thought wouldn't be suitable for performing, so she retired it and moved it to another department for film and television work due to its Siamese coloring and model qualities (1h34m17s).
• When cats decide they don't want to perform or experience joint pain as they get older, Martin scales back on the tricks they do to avoid causing them pain (1h34m49s).
• There have been tricks that Martin tried to teach her cats but ultimately decided not to pursue, such as the "army crawl" she saw in Russian cat circuses, as it didn't seem comfortable or natural for the cats (1h35m10s).
• Martin's cats are trained for cat agility-type tricks, such as balancing on a ball, climbing a rope, and jumping, which are natural skills for them (1h36m2s).
• One of Martin's cats, who jumps to her back, has been "cheating" by crawling down a few feet before jumping, rather than doing the full jump (1h36m20s).
• Martin has seen Russian cats performing impressive tricks, such as jumping 20 feet in the air, but notes that the Russians have a different approach to training animals (1h36m35s).
• Martin's cats can get into mischief, such as getting into catnip, rolling around on the merch table, and even drinking beer, which they love (1h37m7s).
• The cats are opportunists and will take advantage of any situation, such as digging catnip toys out of purses or drinking beer if given the chance (1h37m38s).
• Albore, the star cat, abandoned his solo performance in the middle of the show to get popcorn and PBR from the bar, forcing Dixie to fill in and perform the tricks instead (1h37m43s).
• Dixie's performance was better than Albore's, and when he returned to the stage, he struggled to keep up with her, turning that portion of the show into a competition (1h38m23s).
• The incident with Albore and Dixie led to changes in the show, as the performer had to adapt to unexpected situations and evolve the performance (1h38m53s).
• One of the cats, Bowie, got sick, requiring the performer to rearrange the show and bring in another cat to cover for Bowie's tricks (1h39m3s).
• Aussie, another cat, is very particular about performing and requires tuna or salmon as motivation, and will not perform if the treat is not satisfactory (1h39m31s).
• The performer had to deal with a crisis when the original Tuna disappeared three hours before a show, and despite efforts to find her, she was not found until the last minute (1h40m10s).
• The performer considered Tuna irreplaceable and essential to the show, and her disappearance caused significant stress and disruption (1h40m41s).
• During the search for Tuna, the performer encountered a white cat behind a rod iron fence who seemed uninterested in helping locate Tuna (1h40m54s).
• Samantha Martin had trouble finding her cat, Tuna, before a show, and the cat's owner denied it was Tuna, but when Martin rang a bell, the cat came over, revealing its true identity (1h41m13s).
• The cat seemed unbothered by Martin's panic and was compared to a difficult actor (1h41m56s).

Show Structure and Audience Interaction

• The Acro-Cats' show is an hour and a half long, followed by a meet and greet where people can interact with the cats and take photos (1h42m17s).
• The show has expanded over the years and now features a nine-piece band, including a horn section, cowbell, chimes, and a chicken on symbol and tambourine (1h42m21s).
• The meet and greet allows people to see the cats up close and take photos, and it also shows that the cats are comfortable and well-cared for (1h42m52s).
• The cats are free to leave if they're uncomfortable, and some have been known to hide or get into fights, but spotters in the audience help to prevent conflicts (1h44m14s).
• There have been some incidents, including a cat jumping into the crowd after a show, but they are rare and quickly resolved (1h43m59s).
• The cats are allowed to wander and do their thing during the meet and greet, but some are kept separate due to animosity between them (1h44m15s).
• The cats in the show are free to wander and their unpredictable behavior keeps the performance fun and engaging for the audience (1h44m31s).
• Audience members are discouraged from bringing their own cats to the show, but service dogs are allowed if they are at least four rows back to avoid upsetting the performing cats (1h44m42s).
• After the show, the cats are rewarded with catnip parties and leftover snacks, including fresh chicken, salmon, tuna, and turkey, which are cooked specifically for them (1h45m8s).
• The cats' diet is more luxurious than that of their human caregivers, with some even enjoying lightly seared sushi-grade tuna (1h45m28s).

The Cat Show Market and Competition

• The market for cat shows is not highly competitive, with only a few notable acts, including a Russian show and a multi-animal show featuring cats, dogs, birds, and other animals (1h45m57s).
• One of the few touring cat acts is run by Gregory Popovich, who is based in Las Vegas and tours occasionally, and is known for his well-trained cats (1h46m11s).
• There is also a Russian duo that performs a cat act, but their cats are more precise and have a more professional relationship with their trainers (1h46m43s).
• The Russian duo's cats are trained to perform specific tasks and then return to their carriers, unlike the more relaxed and playful relationship between the cats and their trainers in the Amazing Acro-Cats show (1h47m34s).
• The choice was made to prioritize enjoying time with the animals over having a slick show, and this decision has been well-received by audiences who appreciate the authenticity and imperfections of the performances (1h48m7s).
• The show inspires people to train their own cats, and training kits are sold after the performances; many people have reported positive changes in their relationships with their cats and a reduction in behavioral problems (1h48m26s).
• Training cats has numerous benefits, including health benefits, as it provides mental and physical stimulation, which is especially important for indoor cats that need activities to expend their energy (1h48m57s).
• Cats are considered intelligent and independent animals that require patience and understanding when training; they can be stubborn and hold grudges, but with the right approach, they can learn and perform various tricks (1h49m19s).

Top Performers and Training Techniques

• To develop new tricks, time is spent observing and interacting with the cats to understand their preferences and abilities; this approach allows for the creation of customized and engaging performances (1h49m38s).
• If a "Mount Rushmore" of top-performing cats were to be created, it would feature Tuna, the original, as well as Auste, Bowie, and Albore Tuna; each of these cats has unique strengths and personalities (1h50m12s).
• N, a young cat, is also a standout performer who was trained using shaping techniques, which involve allowing the cat to learn and figure out desired behaviors on their own with the help of clickers and treats (1h50m50s).
• Cats have a "light bulb moment" when they understand what is expected of them, often triggered by a specific sound, such as a click, and this moment is crucial in their learning process (1h51m26s).
• Once cats learn to associate sounds or actions with desired outcomes, they can become creative and come up with their own tricks or modify the ones they are being trained to do (1h52m4s).
• Cats are also skilled negotiators, often adapting to situations and offering alternative actions when they don't want to perform a specific task, which can be observed during live performances (1h52m22s).

Cat Behavior and Training Philosophy

• A common notion is that cats would eat their owners if they were to pass away, with some claiming that a cat could consume a person's face within 30 hours if it wanted to, showcasing their self-preservation instincts (1h52m51s).
• Cats are known to be grudge holders, remembering past negative experiences and holding them against their owners, which is why building trust and making interactions enjoyable is crucial (1h53m16s).
• Cats are not easily forgiving, so their training and interactions must be based on mutual respect and fun, with rewards that motivate them, such as high-value treats like salmon (1h53m32s).
• Kittens are more eager to please and will perform for lower-value rewards, whereas older, more experienced cats are more discerning and require better incentives (1h54m1s).
• Cats can be unpredictable and may change their behavior during performances, such as repeating a trick multiple times or refusing to continue with the show, which can be influenced by factors like the quality of food or treats (1h54m14s).

Early Career Challenges and Lessons Learned

• Samantha Martin had a difficult experience early in her career with the Amazing Acro-Cats, where she was hired as a last-minute replacement for a cat act in Branson, but the cats did not perform well, and the audience was expecting a high-quality show (1h55m11s).
• The experience was further complicated by the fact that the dog and bird acts in the same show did not get along with the cat act, and the cats were sensitive to the negative energy from the audience (1h56m15s).
• Despite the challenges, Samantha was given tips and advice by the person who hired her, which helped her to improve her performance and learn how to play off the cats' actions, even when they were not doing what was expected (1h56m44s).
• Samantha learned to commit to the cats' actions and exaggerate their moves, even if they were not doing anything, in order to create a more exciting show (1h56m54s).
• The experience was a valuable learning opportunity for Samantha, and she was able to use the skills she gained to improve her future performances (1h57m20s).
• Samantha also had a difficult experience performing with her cat, Newie, at Uncle Bear's, where Newie refused to come out of her carrier and perform on her skateboard (1h57m33s).
• Despite the setbacks, Samantha was able to continue performing with her cats and eventually found success with her Amazing Acro-Cats act (1h57m28s).

Venue Challenges and Cat-Friendly Environments

• Samantha Martin has a show featuring her trained cats, but not all performances go as planned, with only four out of 10 tricks happening during one show (1h58m11s).
• The cats pick up on nervous energy, which can cause them to not perform, and having too many people involved can also affect their behavior (1h58m26s).
• To avoid this, Samantha rents out a theater for her self-produced show, targeting cat lovers to create a more positive environment for her cats (1h59m2s).
• It's challenging to find venues that allow her to perform with her cats, and many people think it's insane to drive around with 11 cats in a van (1h59m26s).
• Samantha's goal is to provide fun opportunities for her cats and inspire people to train their own cats, working within the cats' parameters and abilities (1h59m55s).
• She has saved some of her cats' lives through training routines, such as practicing every time she cooks, which helps the cats associate the activity with treats (2h0m15s).
• Samantha's cats even have a band, with each cat playing a different instrument, and they play free-form jazz music in exchange for treats (2h0m29s).
• One of her cats, Pinky, who was a skilled guitar player, stopped showing up for band practice, leading Samantha to discover that Pinky had a fever, which might have gone unnoticed for several days without the training routine (2h0m53s).
• Establishing a routine with cats can help identify potential health issues early on, as even small changes in behavior can be noticeable, such as a limp or favoring one side of the mouth while eating (2h1m12s).
• A simple trick, like using a whistle for feeding time or to signal going into a carrier, can provide valuable information about a cat's health and make vet visits easier (2h1m40s).

Samantha's Role as a Performer and Cat Advocate

• Samantha Martin believes that both she and her cats are performers, playing off each other during their acts (2h2m0s).
• Martin thinks that being able to improvise is essential for her performances, and she has to be "on" and calm, even when experiencing stage fright (2h2m19s).
• Despite suffering from stage fright, Martin has learned to manage it and advises others to do the same, reminding them that it's normal to feel nervous (2h2m33s).
• Martin has a shy personality, but when she's performing, her "show person" persona takes over, allowing her to confidently interact with her cats on stage (2h3m2s).
• Martin often has a glass of wine before performing to help her relax, which in turn helps her cats relax as well (2h3m34s).
• Cats seem to be unaffected by profanity or drinking around them, and they appear to have their own little world where they engage in their own behaviors (2h3m48s).

Life on the Road with the Acro-Cats

• The Amazing Acro-Cats are a group of cats that perform acrobatic tricks, and they live with their owner in a 45-foot by 8-foot by 5-foot space while on the road, creating a sense of community and backstory for each cat (2h4m42s).
• The cats have distinct personalities, likes, and dislikes, which are featured in a calendar every year, making them more relatable and personalized (2h5m26s).
• All of the cats are spayed and neutered, which is essential for responsible pet ownership, especially for rescue animals, and it prevents unwanted breeding and population growth (2h5m34s).
• The spaying and neutering process involves a less invasive surgery for males, where the testicles are removed, whereas females require a more invasive surgery (2h5m49s).
• The importance of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs is highlighted, which involves trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats to control population growth and prevent animal suffering (2h6m6s).
• TNR programs require dedication and effort from volunteers, who work with complex owners and veterinarians to trap, neuter, and release the cats (2h6m41s).
• The Amazing Acro-Cats have not had any major issues with PETA or other animal welfare organizations, and any criticism is often met with support from fans who defend the show and the treatment of the cats (2h7m15s).
• The cats are treated as family and are not forced to perform, with their carriers left open and a theater to explore, allowing them to make their own choices and have fun (2h7m48s).

Communication and Bond with the Cats

• Samantha Martin has conversations with her cats during shows, but the audience usually only hears her part of the conversation, not the cats' responses (2h8m15s).
• One of her cats, Albore, had been practicing turning on a light to start the show, but during a performance, he refused to do it, leading to a humorous exchange between Samantha and Albore (2h8m32s).
• Samantha had to turn on the light for Albore initially, but after a stern conversation, he finally learned to do it himself and has been consistent ever since (2h9m17s).
• Albore has developed a pre-show routine where he does a "dolphin" move before attempting to turn on the light, and sometimes he thinks he has succeeded when he hasn't (2h9m37s).
• The cats are very particular about how they perform their tricks, and if it's too hard or too easy, they might not do it correctly (2h10m1s).
• Despite the challenges, the audience loves the show, and Samantha believes it's because people enjoy seeing her interact with the cats and appreciate the joy and love she has for them (2h10m15s).
• The show also helps raise awareness and find homes for cats, which is an important aspect of Samantha's work (2h10m31s).
• Samantha has a deep affection for cats, which she didn't always have, and she finds that even after a bad show, the audience's positive reaction and joy can make it all worthwhile (2h10m56s).

Upcoming Tour and Kitten Adoption

• Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats are going on tour, and their schedule can be found on the website rockcatsrescue.org (2h11m44s).
• The group has 10 foster kittens, two of which may join the team, and they also have a setup called the "lion pyramid of kittens" where the cats assemble on platforms and encourage adoption (2h12m7s).
• Samantha Martin emphasizes the importance of spending time with cats, stating that just 10 minutes a day can make a significant difference in their behavior and relationship with their owners (2h13m6s).
• She believes that many people underestimate the capabilities of cats and that with proper attention and training, they can learn and perform various tasks (2h13m22s).
• Developing a strong relationship with a cat can lead to a deeper bond, making the cat more likely to want to stay with its owner (2h13m48s).
• The cats in Samantha's group love the attention they receive during performances and have a special area on the tour bus designed for them (2h14m17s).
• Samantha enjoys training and watching the cats learn, and she finds it rewarding to see them develop new skills (2h12m43s).
• She also mentions that some cats are naturally more inclined to perform, while others may not be as interested (2h14m24s).

Training Process and Cat Adoption

• Samantha Martin has a group of trained cats known as the Amazing Acro-Cats that travel and perform at night, which is a result of a lot of work and training (2h14m30s).
• Training an animal, especially cats, requires acclimating them to many different things, and it's fascinating to see the process (2h14m50s).
• The cats are trained using a clicker that reinforces the exact movement desired, and they can learn to do various tricks and tasks (2h17m11s).
• One of the cats, Tuna, is shown performing tricks, including jumping over obstacles and ringing bells, and is described as a "party cat" (2h15m22s).
• The cats are available for adoption, except for Crush and Twix, who may be hired for performances or go on tour (2h18m18s).
• When the Acro-Cats go on tour, it's a test to see which cats enjoy performing on stage and which prefer to be house pets (2h18m33s).
• The group recently retired two of their cats, which is why they are looking to adopt out some of their current cats and hire new ones (2h18m58s).
• Not all cats are suited for performing on stage, but the Acro-Cats are trained to enjoy it and thrive in that environment (2h19m5s).
• Samantha Martin starts training her cats with simple tasks and gradually builds up to more complex tricks and performances (2h19m11s).
• Samantha Martin's cats are trained using a clicker method and rewarded with treats, allowing them to learn tricks and behaviors without the use of drugs or declawing (2h19m17s).
• The cats are referred to as "Acro-Cats" and need to be able to climb, which is why they are not declawed (2h19m32s).
• There is a mention of the Japanese using drugs on dogs that are featured on Instagram, but this is a separate topic (2h19m34s).

Booking Shows and Conclusion

• Samantha Martin and her Acro-Cats are looking to book a show in Nashville, pending a response from a theater (2h19m53s).
• The conversation concludes with appreciation for the time spent together and the opportunity to learn about the Acro-Cats (2h20m3s).
• The transcript ends with a poetic and unrelated passage, seemingly a quote or song lyrics, which mentions feelings of floating, falling, and sharing a piece of oneself (2h20m10s).