Yes, animals in Hollywood are provided by professional animal trainers, and
they have permits to own and employ animals not usually considered legal for
pet ownership.  Think of all those scenes with lions and tigers and bears,
oh my!
 
Babies on soaps are a whole nother thing.  Usually twins are used for very
young baby characters.  Like animals, there are very strict laws about how
many minutes they can be under the cameras and hot lights.  Babies are kept
backstage in special luxury accomodations with their real mothers right
there.  The actors sometimes refer to this area as the "baby tank."
 
Say, how'd you like to get a job on Port Charles as the manager of the
ferret tank?
 
Kat
[Posted in FML issue 2262]