PERFORMING WITH PETS

By Shanna Hogan

A fourth-generation Russian Circus performer, Gregory Popovich grew up center stage.

At the age of eight, he was performing his own solo act—juggling on a free-standing ladder. By 17, he was touring the world with the Moscow Circus. Soon after, he came to America to perform as a juggler with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.

But today, Popovich is often upstaged by his co-stars—25 dogs and cats. For the past 15 years, Popovich and his pets have been performing together in his show, “The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater,” which debuts in Phoenix October 8-10. The show, a family-oriented blend of comedy and the extraordinary talents of Popovich’s pets, features 15 cats and 10 dogs, all rescued from various animal shelters.

While anyone who has ever owned a cat may think training a kitten is as impossible as training a goldfish, Popovich says he has mastered the art of adapting the tricks based on the instincts of his animals.

“Cats are very different than dogs. Dogs are working for a reward. Cats never work for the reward,” says Popovich, who speaks with a thick Russian accent. “We try to find natural habits of the kitty. I spend a lot of time playing with the kittens to see what it is they like to do.”

While on stage, Popovich’s cats perform in skits, jump through hoops, fly, stand and do acts on their hind legs. While not performing, the animals live with Popovich, who had to buy a larger home to house all of the animals. In fact, he has four full-time assistants to care for all his furry friends.

“The animals are like my business partners,” he says. “They are a part of my family.”