THE HYPE APP-PAWS! APP-PAWS! NOW YOUR PET CAN ANSWER THE CASTING CALL OF THE WILD.

Wanted: Well-behaved, good-looking actors willing to beg for food, chase objects and pose for the camera. Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts look-alikes need not apply, but if you've been compared to Lassie or Morris, read on.

HollywoodPaws.com (www.hollywoodpaws.com) is a Web site designed to help cats and dogs find fame in movies, TV shows or commercials. All Fido or Fluffy has to do is convince the human who feeds him (or her) to create a Pet Portfolio for the Web site. Portfolios include a photo, breed, size, credentials, professional work and training. The portfolios as well as a quarterly newsletter, acting tips from animal trainer Anne Gordon and information on casting calls are free. There's even a listing of professional agents on the Web site.

Competition on the site, launched in May, is already stiff. There's a Persian that can open doors; an Afghan hound that adapts to costumes; a cat named Booger weighing in at more than 20 pounds; and Spot, the English springer spaniel who happens to live in the White House. (His portfolio was sent in from a White House e-mail address, according to HollywoodPaws founder Steve Kelley.) So, put your best paw forward and your best coat on, and, well, take a nap. Let your human do all the work to make you a star.

- Elizabeth Smilor

< Cats rule, dogs drool ... or is it the other way around?

(You decide!)

In the new movie ``Cats & Dogs,'' lovable canines battle conniving felines. In the real world, it's pet owners who have argued for decades about the merits of cats vs. dogs. Are dogs better because they love you unconditionally? Or are cats better because you have to earn their affection? Here's your chance to put your argument in print. In 25 words or less, tell us why dogs rule or why cats rule. We'll print some of the best responses in L.A. Life. All entries should be submitted by July 15. Be sure to include your name, city and daytime phone number. Send your entry to Daily News, L.A. Life, Cats/Dogs Rule, PO Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200; or fax it to [phone]; or e-mail it to dnlalife(at)dailynews.com.

< DOGS VS. MEN: When pitted against men, canines rule. At least in the opinion of nationally syndicated cartoonist Jennifer Berman, who recently released her book ``Why Dogs Are Better Than Men'' (Andrews McMeel; $8.95). ``Dogs do not care whether you shave your legs. ... Dogs are very direct about wanting to go out,'' she writes along with colorful illustrations. The author, who lives in Ohio with her ``husband, four dogs and one very patient cat,'' does give men some credit: ``Men have slightly better control over their libido,'' she writes, and ``Men can buy you presents.''

- E. S.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos

Photo:

(1) SIGOURNEY WEAVER AND FRIEND IN ``ALIEN

(2) ``BEETHOVEN''

(3) MORRIS THE CAT WITH ``MILO & OTIS''

(4) BENJI

(5) LASSIE

(6) no caption (cat)

(7) no caption (dog)

(8) no caption (``Why Dogs are Better than Men'')