Is this Jackson Galaxy picture of a cat OK?

I don’t get it. I know Jackson Galaxy runs a business and he has to generate some hype and pizzazz with his personal image and his website etc. but, for me, this image goes too far. It is damaging to the domestic cat. A lot of people are gullible. They take in these images and start believing that cats are dangerous and aggressive or worse – evil. Although I’d like to say that Jackson is undoubtedly good and good for the cat in general. I just think this publicity is overdone and can hurt the public profile of the domestic cat.

There is already enough historical baggage which damages the public profile of the cat to add to it unnecessarily. I don’t wish to criticise Jackson Galaxy because he is a good cat behaviorist and he respects the cat but I think he should direct his publicist to trim back on the pizzazz at the expense of the domestic cat:

Jackson Galaxy cat from hell promo picture. Picture courtesy Animal Planet

This is the webpage it comes from:

Jackson galaxy cat- from hell picture

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Comments

Is this Jackson Galaxy picture of a cat OK? — 17 Comments

Serbella McGee on July 19, 2015 at 8:29 pm said:
The photo is garish, but I think Mr. Galaxy felt he had to do something to catch people’s eye. The image and the slogan “My Cat from Hell” certainly does that. I completely agree with Dan’s assessment of the overall quality of the Photoshop job.
I’m thinking about doing a blog from Samirah’s POV. I’ve never seen one out here from a senior cat’s view. I’ve started taking photos of Samirah, but I admit right now that I deliberately did not take any when she was on her rampage. She was truly terrifying. I would not have needed to Photoshop her. I have never been afraid of any dog (including pit bulls) or cat, but I slept with my door closed until I was sure she was safe and had calmed down. She’s the only fur companion I ever felt that way about.
I think Jackson Galaxy does more good than harm. Unfortunately cats do have behavioral problems, and barring physical conditions the majority of those problems can be traced back to humans. People who hate cats and are willing to demonize them are not going to change unless they have a positive up close and personal experience with felines, and they might not change even then.
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- Michael Broad on July 20, 2015 at 4:16 am said:
  Funny, I have just written a reply to Sandy’s comment before I read yours in which I used exactly the same words “catch people’s eye”. You are right he is trying to catch the eye of people who struggle with cat caretaking. It is a dangerous ploy though as it paints a poor image of the cat.
  I agree Jackson is good. He is very good.
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  - Serbella McGee on July 20, 2015 at 2:21 pm said:
    If Jackson Galaxy’s team had chosen a more dignified slogan than “My Cat from Hell” I bet he wouldn’t have the reputation or the fame he’s achieved. This is show business. I have to admit that sometimes I watch the show just to see all the drama. I sit there thinking “I’m glad I don’t have to go through that anymore!” And I’d be willing to bet that I’m not the only responsible cat owner who does that. It’s a human thing, to watch someone else struggle and think “Wow, their life sucks more than mine!” MCFH is a not so secret guilty pleasure of mine.
    People think dogs are man’s best friend and cat’s are witch familiars, even though there are just as many instances of cats protecting their owners and acting heroic as there are dogs doing the exact same thing. The Egyptians worshiped cats, but in the Middle Ages people demonized them and killed them off, which is how the Black Death came about when the rats and their fleas took over and the cats were gone. But the cat haters are convinced cats are worthless and inferior to dogs. Humans are weird.
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    - Michael Broad on July 20, 2015 at 3:59 pm said:
      Yes, it is about blending show business and making money with serious advice on cat behavior. This is a tricky marriage.
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Sandra Murphey, No. CA, USA on July 19, 2015 at 12:24 pm said:
Although I realize that Jackson has helped “train” cat guardians, like Ceasar Milan trained dog guardians, I’ve never like the title “My Cat from Hell”. I’ve actually had an aversion to watching his show, because I didn’t like seeing cats responding in these ways, to people who didn’t have a clue.
I’m sure that many people have a new understanding of what they’re doing to create these undesirable behaviors in their pets, rather than continue to view the animal as the problem.
I don’t question Jackson’s motivation or skills, but I think he’s succumbed to advice from marketing experts who cater to the “vulgar” general public. (As Sylvia Ann pointed out.)
I’d love to see another “cat whisperer” give Jackson some competition, by presenting a perspective which focuses on responsible human guardianship for cats, rather than on cat reactions to mainstream ignorance.
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- Michael Broad on July 20, 2015 at 4:13 am said:
  I agree with you. The trouble is that he has to catch the eye of the people who struggle with understanding their cat. He is trying to empathise with these people who see their cat as a problem. Unfortunately it paints the picture that cats are from hell.
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Ruth (Monty's Mom) on August 4, 2014 at 8:31 pm said:
Monty is offended by Animal Planet’s slogan “Surprisingly Human.”
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Ruth (Monty's Mom) on August 4, 2014 at 1:52 pm said:
Remember that horrible video of a cat being forced to sit in a bathtub and his spirit is obviously broken. I think it was titled, “Cat meows under water.” That video was featured on a show of funny cat videos, with celebrities commenting on the videos. Jackson Galaxy commented on that one and just said something like, “Cats don’t generally like water.” Another celebrity said, “That kitty will be so nice and clean after his bath.” As if the intent ever was to give that cat a bath. I just can’t believe Jackson would not have stood up for the cat in that case and said, “This looks like an abuse situation and there is nothing funny or cute about this video.”
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Barbara on August 4, 2014 at 6:59 am said:
No I don’t like the way the cat is misrepresented as some sort of horror movie character, it’s all about publicity for the TV channel to my mind. Too commercialised, get back to basics Cat Daddy.
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Ruth aka Kattaddorra on August 4, 2014 at 6:14 am said:
I don’t like it either, it’s garish and it makes Jackson look like a worker on a building site, not a cat ‘expert’
No cats are horrible and no cats are from hell.
I used to admire this man very much but it seems as if since his fame has spread he’s been ‘taken over’ by it and it’s more about publicity than cats.
He needs to go back to quietly doing his job and helping cats who live in hell on earth because of their ignorant owners!
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- Michael Broad on August 4, 2014 at 6:17 am said:
  I agree. It is too commercial and the publicity has gone too far to the point where it undermines his role.
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Sylvia Ann on August 3, 2014 at 11:34 pm said:
‘There’s N-O-O-O bizniz like S-H-H-O-O W bizniz!’ as Ms. Merman belted out.
‘Vulgar’ (vulgus) means the ‘general population.’ It also means crude.
Some viewers had a problem with Steve Irwin. For all the good he may have achieved and for all his ebullience, he occupied the far end of the spectrum from another animal-rights person – the quiet and self-effacing Jane Goodall, who respected her friends.
The general populace likes lots of action, especially whooping displays of people ’mastering’ animals. Examples? Groin-cinched bucking broncos and bulls. Bull fights. Minoan bull-dancers. Circus chimps, tigers, elephants and dogs trained to entertain the crowd.
Unlike Mr. Galaxy, Mr. Irwin provoked his co-stars with shoutings and arm-wavings, flying leaps onto crocodiles to pry open their jaws or tie them with a rope, wrestling and throwing snakes into the air. Then dragging these animals on to TV talk shows.
It goes without saying his camera crew needed non-stop action. Thus, conflicting reports as to whether or not he was annoying the manta ray. Some animals are busy & noisy. Others cherish quietude. Boring to the fans. Also an unflattering contrast between the dignity of an animal’s self-containment and that of a showman who goads the animal to its limit, flaunting his prowess in outsmarting the poor creature and squelching its ‘savagery.’
In a nutshell, how many cats does Mr. Galaxy’s poster represent? Zero? Near-zero?
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Leah on August 3, 2014 at 9:06 pm said:
Not at all keen tbh a lot of people think that cats are evil even there is not real justification for it so this just endorses their belief because that cat looks scary 🙁
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Dan in Tempe on August 3, 2014 at 7:49 pm said:
This imagery was put together by a graphic artist or even a team of graphic artist. I’m sure there were many voices stating their opinions on the project. Graphic Artists depend heavily on Peer-Review and Client-Input (read boss in this case). So while I do think the Cat Daddy had a say, I bet his may not of been the last word. Perhaps a compromise was made, who knows? With all that said, here is my Peer-Review:
While I like the idea, I think the Photoshop work on the cat is a B at best. The visual heirarchy is well thought out (you see the cat first, then the title, then Jacksona and finally the Animal Planet Tag) but the placement of the objects feel wrong. The white space (the background) balance is askew. If you removed the Animal Planet logo is out-of-place. I think it may be the element that has thrown the whole piece off. It looks like it was placed as an aftertought. Jackson should be more dominant. The lettering is nice, but could use a little flair. Over all I give it a B-.
My opinion? It is in poor taste since it is so poorly done. It feels off, it feels wrong. If it was properly proportioned and all the elements were married together properly… Plus the Photoshopping was done better, it would still only be an A-. It needs more imagination and creativity to work.
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- Michael Broad on August 3, 2014 at 9:15 pm said:
  Thanks Dan for casting a professional eye over it. I agree that Galaxy probably had little say in the matter but I think he should have a say and he should demand that the cat is portrayed as a nice companion. The phrase “my cat form hell” is wrong for me. No cats are from hell and no cat behaves as if she came from hell. It would be better if the image portrayed harmony – the situation after Jackson had done his work.
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  - Dan in Tempe on August 3, 2014 at 9:58 pm said:
    That’s a great idea.
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- Ruth (Monty's Mom) on August 4, 2014 at 1:49 pm said:
  Great comment, Dan! You saw so much that I never would have noticed. After reading your analysis I can see that you are right. It’s not just in poor taste, it’s not a very professional looking job.
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