A tuxedo cat named Bone Jovi has been appointed as the head of security for a museum in Brooklyn, New York [1].
The appointment leverages the animal's popularity to engage the public and highlight the institution's collection. By naming a resident animal as a guardian, the museum creates a unique point of interest for visitors and social media audiences.
Bone Jovi is a rescue cat who now serves as the unofficial guardian of the museum's bone collection [1], [2]. The institution, referred to as both the Bone Museum and the Brooklyn Museum in reports [2], [4], selected the cat based on his resident status and high level of public support [2].
The process for selecting the cat's identity was a community effort. More than 20,000 people voted on the rescue cat's name [4]. This level of engagement suggests a strong desire for the public to connect with the museum through non-traditional means.
While the role is largely symbolic, the museum said that the cat's presence provides a friendly face for the facility [2]. Bone Jovi's tuxedo markings, black and white fur, complement the formal nature of a security role, adding to the appeal of the appointment [1].
The museum's decision to integrate the cat into its operational identity follows a trend of institutions using animals to humanize their brand. By promoting Bone Jovi to head of security, the museum transforms a standard resident pet into a central figure of its public relations strategy [2], [4].
“More than 20,000 people voted on the rescue cat's name”
This appointment reflects a broader trend in cultural institutions using 'mascot' figures to drive digital engagement and foot traffic. By gamifying the naming process and assigning a whimsical title to a pet, the museum converts a static exhibition of bones into a dynamic, shareable social media narrative, effectively lowering the barrier for new visitors to enter the space.
