With shows like Crikey! It's the Irwins and Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet, the Animal Planet network continues to show that their animal-centered programming is what they do best. Though the network has had a slew of hits over the years, some of its reality TV shows came and went with little fanfare.
Whether it was celebrity series like Taking on Tyson or competition shows like Who Gets the Dog?, not every show from Animal Planet was a resounding success. Even though plenty of shows have missed the mark, only a select few are worth remembering.
K-9 To 5 (1999–2002)
Exotic animals are often some of the most exciting subjects on Animal Planet, but man's best friend has also been heavily represented on the network. K-9 to 5 was a documentary reality show that showcased dogs all around the world that worked in specialized professions.
While it was most notable for its cute factor, the show was also quite informative when it came to canines in the workplace. The wide variety of specializations that dogs can work in was fascinating, and the series was made with a snappy and quick style that kept the show entertaining and fresh.
The Little Zoo That Could (2006)
With some of the best animal shows on Disney+ showcasing various zoos around the world, Animal Planet's The Little Zoo That Could was way ahead of the trend. The series follows the workers at the Alabama Gulf Coast zoo as they attempt to rebuild after being partially destroyed by a series of vicious hurricanes.
Considerably more plot-driven than most reality shows of its kind, The Little Zoo That Could captured the heart and soul of the average zoo employee in the face of tragedy. Animal Planet's best shows create a synthesis between human interest and animal facts, and the story of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo perfectly fit that bill.
Miami Animal Police (2004)
The final in a series of shows dealing with the topic, Miami Animal Police hopped on the law enforcement reality show bandwagon in a way that only Animal Planet could. The series follows the officers of the Miami-Dade police department's Animal Services Unit as they respond to animal emergencies.
South Florida is home to a host of over-the-top wildlife, and the importation of other exotic animals has made it even more dangerous. While the series lacked variety, it was always interesting to watch the officers respond to animal problems, and they were often quite strange.
Must Love Cats (2011–12)
Must Love Cats was perhaps one of the most unique reality TV shows of all time, and no other show has ever aped its format. The series follows John Fulton as he travels across the U.S. singing songs about cats, and visiting the nation's most famous felines.
From the most mundane housecat, all the way to the heights of YouTube stardom, Fulton truly has an affinity for felines. Though it only lasted two short seasons, the show was on the cutting edge of cat fandom. With the rise of cute cats on apps like TikTok, it seems as if Fulton's show was just a few years early.
Tanked (2011–18)
While animals are usually Animal Planet's bread and butter, sometimes an animal-adjacent topic can be just as successful for them. Tanked follows the employees of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing as they craft and design a series of over-the-top fish tanks for their demanding clients.
Plenty of shows about aquariums and lavish fish habitats have been made in the past, but Tanked was a nitty-gritty look at how those ideas become real. Though it lacks the animals that most people tune into the network to see, the host of quirky characters, along with their amazing creations, was always something worth watching.
Treehouse Masters (2013–18)
Treehouse Masters had almost nothing to do with animals, but it was the perfect show for nature lovers and those who enjoy lavish house designs. The show centers around Pete Nelson, an architect who specializes in crafting beautiful and functional treehouses.
Easily bingable and relaxing, Treehouse Masters was a low-stakes reality show that was perfect for vegging out on the couch. Along with the amazing treehouses, the big-name celebrity guests added another layer of importance to the show, and his designs proved that Nelson lived up to the show's name.
Who Gets The Dog? (2005)
Competition reality shows come in all shapes and sizes, but few were as strange as Who Gets the Dog? Instead of competing for cash or prizes, the show saw three couples compete against one another to see who would be taking home a rescued pooch.
With animal behaviorists at the ready, the show analyzed the body language of the dog to determine which family gelled best with the pet. While it was an interesting concept for a show, it was a rather odd way to get the message out there about shelter pets, and there was an unethical nature to the idea of treating animals like a prize to be won.
Beverly Hills Vet (2003)
Coming in the early primordial days of exaggerated reality TV shows, Beverly Hills Vet saw a change in direction for the educational entertainment channel. The show chronicles the daily life of a veterinarian in Beverly Hills California who is tasked with treating the wealthy neighborhood's most pampered pets.
From the outset, it was very clear that the focus of the show was less on the animals and more on their owners. The characters were all very over-the-top, and there was a certain phoniness to the program that viewers had never seen before on Animal Planet. It only lasted a single season, and it seems as if that style of reality TV wasn't what fans were looking for.
Fatal Attractions (2010–13)
Though documentaries like Tiger King have recently captured the strange and dangerous world of exotic pet ownership, Animal Planet's Fatal Attractions put the topic at the forefront years before. The series focuses on people who own dangerous animals as pets, and the very violent consequences that can come with it.
There is a fair amount of shock value to be had from the show, but it still serves Animal Planet's mission of helping animals. The episodes can be seen as cautionary tales, and the show makes it very clear that exotic pet ownership is nothing to be glorified. Even if it had to use horror to get its point across, Fatal Attractions was quite effective in its messaging.
Taking On Tyson (2011)
Never one to stray from controversy, former boxing champion Mike Tyson stirred up another type of trouble when he starred in his own Animal Planet reality show. Taking on Tyson saw the former ring king get into the world of competitive pigeon racing.
Problematic from the start, fans were appalled to see animals being used for sport on a network dedicated to their safe treatment. Tyson's controversial past aside, the entire concept was built on a shaky foundation and the Animal Planet faithful did not want to see animals put in harm's way for anyone's entertainment.