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Feline Feats: Acro-Cats Putting On A Show In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- One of the more unusual live performances to come to town opens Thursday night, and runs through Tuesday.

As WJZ's Mike Schuh found out, the stars sometimes have minds of their own.

"Cats are really intelligent," said trainer Samantha Martin. "I believe they're smarter than dogs."

Her felines are part of the Acro-Cats, a circus troop of kitties. It's made up of nineteen cats, who have trained the humans to feed them fresh salmon. But that's not all they know how to do!

In 2006, they trained Martin to manage their circus, get a bus, and go on tour.

"I was a little unpopular as a child and lack of friends made me turn to animals as companions, and I discovered I had a special skill as far as communicating and interacting with them," she said.

So while Samantha appears to be in charge, it may really be the cats who are making demands, like the need for a pretty, pink car.

"So each trick is based on what the cat gravitates to and naturally wants to do," Martin said.

All the cats in the performance were strays or shelter cats.

Yep. It's obvious who's running the show here: The Acro-Cats.

Beware though, if you go see them, they'll try to train you, too.

Beneficiaries of the nine performances at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore is the Chesapeake Feline Association in Cecil County.

For more information on the Acro-Cats and to buy tickets CLICK HERE. They'll be at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore through September 26.

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