Can Pi-chan become a dog model?
Posted by: kirin on 
Sep 6th, 2010 | 
Filed under: Pi-chan
Inspired by the opinion from one of my blog readers that I should think of making Pi-chan a dog model, I sent an application with some pictures to Japan Petmodel Association, the largest pet model association in Japan. (When I looked for the opportunity, the association happened to open for new application that they do once a year.)
Let me share some latest Pi-chan pictures with you. She looked so cute when she came back from grooming at a pet salon. Dog haircut and grooming costs 6500yen, while my haircut costs 5000yen or so. ^ ^; But she needs haircut every 1.5 months, as she is Shih Tzu.
Pi-chan passed the application screening, but the letter made me skeptical. I started to think if there’s no one to fail from the beginning but they pretend as if my Pi-chan was specially selected. Emphasizing sorry for those who didn’t pass the test and the pass mark stamp that is printed on the letter suddenly gave me the impression of hype. I started to think that they could be a scam who tries to take advantage of pet owners’ feelings. I Googled reviews of the experienced pet owners for the first time, which I was supposed to before I sent an application because I was asked to enclose 800yen equivalent postal stamps. 
To my disappointment, my guess seemed right. Many people mentioned that most of the applicants are to pass the application screening and what’s next is that they’re asked to join the orientation and told that they have to pay unbelievably ridiculous amount of money only to have pictures of their dogs on the model book after all.
If they have not changed their way, I knew what this orientation was going to be, but I decided to join it anyhow. It was held in Shibuya.
I roughly counted people at the orientation and it was about 160 people or even more. Many people came with their husband or wife or any one of the family members or friends, so it means…say 80 dogs? According to the host, they have orientations entire day that day, which means 80 dogs x 4 times or so? I joined the orientation from 3:15 to 4:45. They could have orientations at 9:15-10:45, 11:15-12:45, 3:15-4:45, 5:15-6:45 for example. Then 320 dogs passed the applications in Tokyo area? (They have Osaka and Nagoya, too.)
Whatever it is, I learned they continued the same way. 180,000 (USD2000+) for a full page, 90,000yen for half page, 49,000yen for 1/4 page, and 36,000yen for 1/6 page. I’m talking about the money we are required to have the picture of our dogs on their promotional photo book that they distribute to all the TV stations, advertisement agencies, and TV commercial production companies in Japan. I see, this was the one spoken on the internet. ^ ^;
According to them, professional dog or cat models were used on TV and etc. before but nowadays as our economy is depressing, pet models are reasonable and convenient. Production companies cannot spare large budget for dog or cat models any longer. Dog or cat owners in Japan usually spend good amount of money and time for grooming and health care for their pets. Japan Petmodel Association is to offer tamed dogs or cats for the production companies while paying small compensation to the owners and even making money from the model books they publish every year! The owners like us are happy only to have our babies on TV or publications. We’d do anything for that. They know that. They will not even pay our transportation fee, the cost to maintain health and beauty of our pets, and of course the compensation for owners’ work as a manager of the pets.
What a business is that! I have to say they are very wise, they know supply-demand balance so well!! I shouldn’t call them a scam because they know what our society wants and they help connect business and pet owners, fully understanding what both parties desire. The director said he also owns a talent agency in Osaka, where major talents and announcers are registered. He’s got a strong connection with show business, and that’s one of the reasons to make this association the most successful and big scaled in Japan.
If I paid some money for the photo book, Pi-chan could receive more exposure. Hmmm…but I wonder if I want to wash her every time before shooting, for example. She hates to be washed. And it’s not good for a dog to be washed so often. I wonder if it brings her any happiness. I started to think it’s nothing but an ego of the owners after all. I’d also feel sad if Pi-chan is too tired from work, and I wonder if I want to do that so much. I’ve decided not to pay for the photo book, and instead just let it go by leaving things to chance. I just want more people are healed by Pi-chan. Then blogging about her in this blog can be enough…
What do you think? If you were the owner of Pi-chan, how would you take this opportunity?
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September 6th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
You're right . It's a SCAM.
We lover them!
Keep your money and post your pictures of Pi-chan here
As for the bad economy making industry change from professional to pet animal models to advertise , hahaha !
and the modeling agencies will have to lower their prices to compete.
The budgets for advertising will be cut, the models will get paid less ( bad economy , my dear
Think about it.
For a photoshoot, you need the photographer, the studio or the trip to the location, getting the photos edited , pasted with the commercial message , etc.. The cost of the animal that's modeling in all this is how much percent ? Lowering the cost of that is hardly going to lower the cost of the whole bill.
September 6th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Basically Japanese people love dog and cat so much, and it is now said the number of the dogs and cats in Japan is a lot larger than number of kids under certain age, which I forgot, sorry. The less our birth rate becomes, the more dog or cat we keep.
They are the most established pet model association in Japan, but here's how they are. Let alone, other small associations.
September 6th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
It's enough that you love Pi-Chan so much and that you share so much about her here with us. I wouldn't put sweet little Pi-Chan or sweet little you through all that just to be taken advantage of!
September 6th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Your dog is so cute! i wanna hug him. lol.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:22 am
While not "technically" a scam, I think this contest is the same principle as publishers who collect photos from budding photographers to publish and sell and give no compensation other than "more exposure" for the photographers. Basically, they want you to think you are getting something good out of the deal when really they are the ones making lots of money
Not to mention it might be stressful for the pets! I think it is a good idea that you decided not to join
Pi-chan can be a happy family dog instead of dog model. He can model for your blog!
September 7th, 2010 at 4:49 am
Hm, I wouldn't do it. Even if I liked my pet a lot and thought they had a good chance, I don't think it would be worth it. When students are applying for scholarships for college [here], they are told not to apply for anything that you have to pay a fee for [because it's probably just a scam]–so I think it's like that. Also, you shouldn't have to pay to do a job.
September 7th, 2010 at 6:08 am
hi Kirin…
Yeah i think that it's a scam as well…
From what i've heard in the past if an agency like you they will take the chance
and pay all upfront cost. SOoooooo you aren't suppose to pay anything,
yep even for them to distribute your work to other agency, so i agree with you
let it pass….
-peace-
September 7th, 2010 at 7:10 am
wow sounds like such a scam :O
I mean people can get benefit from it, but their prices and what they offer is so high.
And it seems wrong for them to deceive people the way they do.
I think you did the right thing.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Thank you for your comment. Yeah, I think I should keep her in this blog…
September 7th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Thanks, it's her, actually. ^ ^; She's 2 years old now. ^ ^
September 7th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Thank you for your opinion. It's a good idea to have her as a model to my blog. That'll be more peaceful and healthy. ^ ^
September 7th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Thank you megan for your advice. It was my mistake I didn't search them before I decided to send an application. >_< It's so disappointing to know the most well-known pet model association in Japan is just like this.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Yeah, let it pass, let it pass, phew…
September 7th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Yeah, I was shocked to see the price for the model book. I wonder who would feel like spending as much as 180,000yen for A4 sized full page photo… I'm so disappointed by them.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Ah, hello, I feel kind of strange commenting for the first time…Your blog is darling, I've been reading for a month or so.
I'd just like to say that I've never seen a short cut on a Shi Tzu, and Pi-chan looks adorable in it! Especially the rounded leg-poofs and super-short head–it really shows off her long girly eye lashes~ There have been enough people to say not to go through with the modeling agency, but I think it would be excellent to have Pi-chan as your own model! Such as if you were to make little necklaces, collars or sweaters for her and have your own photoshoot! I'm sure your readers would enjoy the photos, and Pi-chan would enjoy the bonding time with you–it's much more relaxing for pets to be around just their owners than a huge room full of people and bright light.
Plus, if your photos become popular, you could even sell prints of them if you like, haha~
September 7th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Happens to children and teens too, Kirin! Well… I think I’d rather bring Pi-chan for doggie spa. Heh… Mm… I’ll bring her for a photoshoot, but just for personal use. http://www.facebook.com/petopianworld
September 8th, 2010 at 12:20 am
Thank you for your first comment! ^_^ Thank you for reading my blog.
Don't worry, please come share your thoughts with us!
"Pi-chan would enjoy the bonding time with you – it's much more relaxing for pets to be around just their owners than a huge room full of people and bright light."
Good point!
I kind of felt sad when I imagined I had to look at her from 5m away from her, while she was surrounded by photoshooting people and maybe held by a model. I'd have to feel something uncomfortable with that, even though it was only my imagination, though.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:27 am
That's a good idea. It sounds nice to spend money for my dog instead of the model book. Thanks for sharing the link. I'm happy to find that Singaporeans treat dogs as well as we do.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:45 am
First of all, these are the cutest pictures I have ever seen of Pi-chan. Dogs need food, water and love. They don't have egos. They don't care about anything but being with you. Pi-chan is a lucky dog. Her mommy is smart enough to know when she is being scammed. Any legitimate model agency will pay all expenses. You are smart not to let your love for Pi-chan cloud your thinking.
September 9th, 2010 at 4:42 am
aww pi-Chan! i love her. i dont think its a scam but i wouldn't do it. i wouldn't want to have to trust other people with my dog, its like walking and just asking somebody to take care of it, you wouldn't do that would you! besides, im sure you have a giant audience here cause pi-Chan is so adorable. ^_^~
September 9th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Also, I was gonna tell you this, too. Shih Tzu with short cut is quite normal in Japan, because we are too much bothered to take care of long hair everyday unless we want Shih Tzu dogs appear on the dog show.
Thus most of the Shih Tzu dogs I see are short cut. 
I made her extremely short because summer in Japan, it's around 35C 60-70% humidity. It's just too hot for dogs, and especially for Shih Tzu who don't have muzzle. The groomer left legs longer hair to keep good balance.
September 9th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Thank you, I'm happy to know that you liked these pictures, too!
"Any legitimate model agency will pay all expenses." You are right!!
September 9th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Thank you. <3 You also keep dogs, you understand how the owners think so well. I want to take care of Pi-chan no matter how busy I am. It's a lot of work I have to do for her, but she deserves that. I have no idea how many times she makes me smile everyday.
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