Background information
What it’s really like at an animal shelter: these five myths aren’t true
by Darina Schweizer
The Cat Whisperer
2.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
The star of the current Galaxus campaign has fur and quite a temper. Animal trainer Tineke van Rheenen tells us what's important in cat training
In contrast to the modern villa, where the filming of our current advertising campaign is taking place, the view backstage is sobering. I'm a little disappointed when I open the backstage door. I'm standing in the middle of a dark cellar in which three blue folding chairs serve as seats. Behind them are six animal transport crates stacked on top of each other. In one of them is the cat Princesse, the star of our current Galaxus campaign. But I'm not here to meet the four-legged beauty, but to talk about her work with animal trainer Tineke van Rheenen. When you're filming with animals, you not only need absolute silence on set, but also behind the scenes, so as not to stress the animal unnecessarily. That's why we whisper throughout the interview.
Did you grow up with animals?
Tineke van Rheenen, animal trainer: no, but I always wanted a dog. Begging my parents was pointless, they didn't give in. The only animal I had was a goldfish, but I couldn't really do anything with it. I didn't have an emotional bond with it. When I was ten, I found a stray cat in the street and brought it home. I really had the right to keep him and, since then, I haven't been able to do without animals.
Is that why you became an animal trainer?
No, it was more by chance. I taught at a business school in the Netherlands. With my puppy, a Belgian Shepherd, I visited the dog school and completed one extra training session after another with him. He passed them all with flying colours. And because a dog is always as good as his owner, I was asked if I wanted to work as a dog handler on the side. It was my hobby until I moved to England. In London, I lived near film studios. One day, someone asked me while I was out walking if my dog wanted to take part in a TV shoot.
And then?
After the shoot, which was great fun for me, I was asked again a few weeks later. That's when it all started. First with the dogs and then with the cats. One day, I had to choose between my profession and my hobby. Back in the Netherlands, I set up my own company Animal Artist.
What qualities should an animal trainer have?
You must not only love animals, you must also be able to read them. When I bring a cat to the set, I study it carefully as soon as it gets out of its cage. Posture, ears, tail and gait are all clues to its well-being. If it's feeling well, you can start. If not, everything takes a little longer, as I need to build his confidence.
Is that all?
It's also an advantage if you're creative, understand the director's instructions and know exactly what the camera settings are. There's no point in a dog showing off outside the camera's field of vision. You have to understand the interaction and always be calm on set. Because once you're stressed, so is your pet.
Did your cats always do everything you asked of them?
Yes, fortunately (she laughs). For example, when we're shooting an advert for cat food, I travel with four or five felines. If one doesn't play along, the shoot is done with another. As soon as I know the script, I know whether I need an active or a lazy cat. For today's shoot, we came with three cats.
What was the most difficult thing a cat had to do on set?
One day, my cat had to lie down on the back of a sofa, point his head at the camera while looking relaxed and then suddenly fall onto the seat. I racked my brains about the best way to do this. The solution: I put my arm lengthways next to him so he could lean back. I stroked and soothed the cat until he was totally relaxed. When he finally stretched out all four paws, he lost his balance and fell. It was all in the box.
How do you get your cats' attention?
Attention is important, but the bond between human and animal is even more so. If I've never seen a cat, I can bait it with food. But that doesn't mean I've formed a bond. You have to take that relationship to the next level. The animal needs to take an interest in you, find you interesting, funny and loving.
Do you only film with your cats?
Yes, all the cats I train live with me. It's rare that I train other animals. But sometimes it happens when a customer wants a special breed that I don't have. Fortunately, I have connections. About three weeks before the shoot, I bring the animal to my house. You have to get to know the cat so she can trust you.
How many cats do you train?
I currently have 20 cats living with me. For this, I have a house in the garden with outdoor and indoor facilities with four heated rooms. The whole garden is also at their disposal. I then take it in turns to bring a cat to my home for a few weeks to strengthen the relationship with each one.
Is training with dogs easier?
Yes, because the cat really only knows its home and the neighbourhood. A film set is a completely unknown place for them. A dog goes everywhere with us. He already knows how to approach foreign places. That's why I need an extra animal trainer when I'm shooting with cats. We spread out on set and talk to her constantly so she feels safe.
You're often on the move for shoots. How do you prepare your animals for flying?
Flying is not as stressful for the animals as we think. As soon as I receive my animals at their destination, I give them a warm welcome. I don't comfort or praise them, because otherwise they realise they've just been through something special, something they need to worry about. As the dogs don't like to do their business in their own cage, I take them for a walk before departure and give them only half their food ration. The stomach is full, but not full. Then I give my animals and myself at least one day's rest on site. If I'm not relaxed, my animals won't be either.
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