The exact number of animals that died during the making of "The Adventures of Milo & Otis" is not definitively known, but there are multiple reports and allegations of animal cruelty and deaths, particularly of cats.
- According to a 1990 Australian newspaper report cited in various sources, more than 20 kittens were killed during the production of the film, with some deaths alleged to be deliberate
- Animal rights groups and investigations have highlighted that the original Japanese shoot was not supervised by animal advocacy organizations, making it difficult to verify the exact number of animal deaths, but it is believed that a significant number of the cats used in the film died, with some reports suggesting about a third of the 30 cats (Chatrans) used did not survive
- Behind-the-scenes accounts mention that several cats died during more intense scenes, and there were incidents of animals being put in dangerous situations, such as being chased by bears, thrown off cliffs, or forced to swim in rough waters
- Some sources claim that animals were abused, including kittens being thrown into perilous situations and puppies being fed to a bear alive, though these claims vary in detail and verification
In summary, while no animals are shown dying on screen, the production of "The Adventures of Milo & Otis" was marred by numerous allegations of animal abuse and the deaths of at least 20 kittens, with some estimates and reports suggesting even more animals may have died during filming
