Whiskers in the Spotlight: Tonic the Cat Charms in Caught Stealing
In a film brimming with star power from Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz, one unexpected performer has quietly stolen the spotlight: Tonic the cat, who plays Bud in the upcoming thriller Caught Stealing.
Guiding Tonic’s journey from stray to screen star is Melissa Millett, an animal trainer with over 25 years of experience and a rare specialty — training cats for film. Millett, who has built a career working with dogs, cats, and even exotic animals, says cats present a unique challenge few trainers take on. “Cats cannot be forced,” Millett explains. “They have to enjoy the process. That’s the only way it works.”
From Stray to Star
Tonic’s story is as cinematic as his career. Originally a stray, he was rescued for the set of Pet Sematary. Millett quickly noticed his potential. “Out of all the cats, he was the strongest working contender,” she recalls. “His confidence stood out, and he wasn’t afraid to eat in new spaces. That was huge.” Millett adopted him and began the transformation from stray to film-ready star.
Within two months of intensive training, Tonic had mastered the basics: hitting marks, taking direction, and staying calm in unpredictable environments. By the time *Caught Stealing* began production, he was ready for the spotlight. Training continued with two months of preparation in Canada before two weeks of on-set practice in New York.
Science Meets Sensitivity
Millett uses a science-based approach to animal training, combining operant and classical conditioning with applied behavior analysis.
“I treat them as partners,” she says. “They’re allowed to say no. They have to feel safe, like they’re in control of their choices. That’s what makes training fun for them.”
This partnership paid off in Caught Stealing, where Tonic’s natural charisma and expressive eyes added unexpected emotional depth. “He connected beautifully with Austin and Zoe,” Millett shares. “You can actually see the emotion in his body language — and that’s not something you can fake with an animal.”
Why Cats Are Different
Training cats is a world apart from working with dogs or other animals. Cats aren’t typically food-motivated, and the stimulation of a film set can be overwhelming. Millett emphasizes the need for patience and adaptability. “There are very few performance cats in the world. It takes a special animal, and Tonic is one of those rare few.”
Preparing for the Role
Every film role requires its own preparation. For thrillers or horror, Millett conditions the animals to associate intense conversations and emotions with positive reinforcement. “That way, the animal feels safe even in dramatic or high-stakes scenes,” she explains.
Advice for Aspiring Trainers
For those hoping to follow in her footsteps, Millett advises taking it slow. “Master the basics first. Introduce your animals to small public performances or sports. And remember, animals on set should always be highly trained, so they know what’s expected — and so they’re actually enjoying it.”
A Scene-Stealer with Whiskers
In Caught Stealing, Tonic proves that not all stars walk on two legs. His journey from stray cat to scene-stealing performer is a testament not only to his unique personality but also to Millett’s patient, humane, and deeply respectful training methods.
As audiences watch him share the screen with Hollywood’s biggest names, Millett hopes they see more than a trick. “What Tonic brings is real presence,” she says with a smile. “And that’s something you can’t train — it’s just who he is.”
For more about Melissa and her training process visit:
