How to Get Booked with Your Pet

There are many ways to find work with Central Casting, including by getting booked with your pet. When Central Casting and production companies are looking for pets, it's the background actor who is booked with their pet and not just the pet itself. So if you want to add your pet to your profile, you must be available to take the pet to set and often will work in the scene yourself.

Add your pets to your online profile

While dogs are most commonly needed (like in park or neighborhood scenes), we book a variety of shows, so you never know when opportunities for different pets can pop up. That's why adding your pets to your online profile is one of the best ways you can help casting directors and production companies find you when booking these types of scenes.

When adding pets, keep in mind that they are expected to behave and perform on set. Please only add pets that are well-trained, have a good temperament, and are calm around other animals and people.

You can add your pets in the "Casting Information" section of your online profile. Scroll to the "Props" dropdown, then choose from the dog, cat, or other options. If adding a dog or a cat, include the breed. If adding a different animal, please indicate what type in the field provided. Then don't forget to upload a clear current photo where your entire pet is visible. It's also helpful for casting directors and production companies if you upload a photo of you and your pet together.

Getting booked with your pet

When looking for pets, casting directors and production companies may search our casting portal then reach out with an availability message or may post to our Open Roles page. Either way, be sure to read the message or post completely before responding to ensure you and your pet fit the role requirements.

Availability messages may contain additional questions, like confirming if you still have the pet, the age, breed, weight, and if the pet is set friendly. This is all information needed to determine if your pet fits the requirements.

Similarly, if you're responding via the Open Roles page, you will likely be asked to send specific information and a photo of your pet in your email submission. Casting directors and production companies need this information to consider you and your pet for the role.

Production may ask for license and vaccination records for your pet. It's a good idea to have these records handy in case you need to submit or bring them to set with you.

We know you're eager to get booked, but please remember that if you're cast with your pet, they are expected to behave on set. Submitting with a pet that may have trouble in a busy filming environment doesn't help you or the production.

Working with your pet on set

As always, it's important that you and your pet arrive on time and ready to work. Your booking details will include how to get your call time changes, which may be sent to you as a message from our casting portal or updated in your Booking Details Page.

We all know time is precious, and this is especially true on productions. The cast and crew have a lot they need to get done in a day; you can help them out by being professional and making sure your pet is behaving throughout the workday.