From Adopted Kitten to Feline Superstar: The Story of Gojo
Man holding kitten in front of his face.
Back in July 2023, we adopted a tiny kitten named Gojo. Little did we know, this fluffy little guy would go on to become a bonafide feline superstar. At the time, we had no idea just how far his journey would take him, but looking back, it's been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Chewy Connection
It all started when Miguel, our lead photographer, was booked to model for a photoshoot with Chewy. Before the shoot, the team asked if he had any pets of his own. Miguel mentioned that he had just adopted a kitten, and they immediately responded, "Great! Bring him with you."
So he did.
Gojo showed up to set, and the Chewy studio team fell in love with him instantly. He was curious, playful, and surprisingly comfortable in front of the camera. They were so impressed that they asked to put him through a pet test to see if he truly had what it takes for the spotlight. By December of 2023, Gojo passed with flying colors and became a consistent model for Chewy.
Training, Tricks, and Total Professionalism
Cat standing on table with paws up and looking up at the roof
We knew that if Gojo was going to be a working cat, he needed to be prepared for anything. We started leash training him and quickly discovered that he was highly food-motivated. That motivation became the foundation for teaching him commands like sit, stay, down, and up. These tricks weren't just party favors, they became essential tools on set, making him more versatile and booking him increasingly command-heavy shoots.
Gojo's professionalism and charm turned him into a Chewy fan favorite. Before we knew it, we were seeing his face on billboards, on the sides of buses in Canada, and plastered across bus stop posters. He appeared in big ad campaigns on TV and across major social media platforms. To top it all off, he got signed to not one, but two pet agencies. Our little rescue kitten had officially made it.
Building Confidence on Set
As Gojo's career grew, so did his confidence. We made it a priority to take him to new environments regularly, desensitizing him to unfamiliar sounds, smells, and situations. In this industry, you never know what might happen on set, and we wanted him to be ready for anything.
That preparation paid off in a major way. On one particular shoot, a C-stand collapsed from a loose screw, crashing loudly within itself. Everyone in the room froze, expecting Gojo to panic and bolt. But he didn't even flinch. He didn't react at all. He simply kept working, staying focused on his job like the true professional he is. If he can stay calm when a C-stand closes on its own and handle the roar of a crowd cheering during FIFA season, he can handle just about anything.
How Does He Do It?
You might be wondering, how does Gojo stay so composed? The answer is patience, consistency, and a deep understanding of his needs. We've learned to read his body language to a TEA, knowing when he needs a break, when he's had enough, and when he's ready to shine. We establish routines for him on set, create a calm environment, and always, always reward him with plenty of treats. Shoutout to Churu, because Gojo absolutely loves him some Churu!
What's Next for Gojo?
So, what's on the horizon for our feline star? Right now, Gojo continues to book film work whenever the opportunity arises. But we have bigger plans. We're focused on building his social media platform so he can land brand deals, collaborate with pet-friendly companies, and maybe even travel the world with us. Gojo has already proven he can handle the spotlight, and we can't wait to see where his career takes him next.
If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at Gojo's journey, let us know! We'd love to keep sharing little updates on his adventures, training tips, and behind-the-scenes moments. This is only the beginning for Gojo, and we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. You can follow gojo’s socials @gojo.lynx
Follow Gojo's journey and book S47 for your next project today.
