‘Cat Daddy’ Jackson Galaxy talks cat therapy, Asian attitudes to cats, and his animal saviours
My Cat From Hell presenter tells Natasha Rogai how he ended up on TV, explains the biggest mistake cat owners make, and why it’s an illusion to think you can ever control your favourite felines
Jackson Galaxy, the American host of TV show My Cat From Hell, was in Hong Kong recently to meet owners and their pets as part of an Asia and Australia tour. He spoke to Natasha Rogai about the show and his life.
What is a cat behaviorist and how did you become one?
“I’ve stopped people calling me a cat behaviorist. I don’t know what a behaviorist is. It’s like saying you’re a human behaviorist! So I just say I’m the Cat Daddy now. I’m a cat therapist, I suppose - and I’m also a translator; I try to teach humans what it is that all cats need and specifically what their cat needs. It’s family therapy, sitting in the middle of warring parties and trying to make peace.
“I started working in an animal shelter back in the early ’90s. I was just trying to find a way to support my musical career. Within weeks, everyone noticed that the cats were coming to me. With lots of cats dying in the shelter, anything I could do to make them more adoptable or just bring some peace to them I was very willing to do.”
