Exhibit Spotlight: Garfield, Official SPOKESCAT of the Boy Scouts of America

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Do you like Garfield? Love or hate him. everyone knows a few facts about the Orange Tabby Persian Cat: like he hates Mondays and loves lasagna, but did you know he was the Official SPOKESCAT of the Boy Scouts of America? Garfield served Scouting from 1997 to 2001 as a Recruiter for Cub Scouting.

Does Garfield seem like a great fit for a Scouting Mascot? Not really, but his overindulgence of lasagna and other foods led to the creation of the slogan, “Because too much fun is never enough!” The slogan was enough to fuel an amazing push of Cub Scouts into Scouting and help to reinvigorate interest in Garfield as well.

Garfield was still a publishing powerhouse, showing up in over 2,580 newspapers and journals with an estimated 230 million readers, but he had been around for a while. This push helped to engage younger kids not only with Scouting but with Garfield.

The partnership started with the creator of Garfield, Jim Davis. After an invite to an Eagle Scout Ceremony for one of his son’s friend, he was inspired. He was later quoted as saying, “If all young people went through Scouting, the world would be a truly wonderful place.”

In 1996, a Local Scout Executive approached him about using Garfield, and soon, “Join Scouting Night” was born. There was a Garfield Hotline to find local Cub Scout Packs, Free Kids’ Meals at Famous Dave’s BBQ, and Garfield flyers on Domino’s pizza boxes. The pilot program with Garfield was held in Indianapolis in 1997 and was considered a roaring success, with over 16% growth in new Cub Scout Packs being formed.

The SPOKESCAT Campaign made Scout Recruitment fun and exciting, while producing tons of fun Scouting Memorabilia for collectors. Most Garfield Scouting Memorabilia was produced between 1997 and 2001, with the National Scout Jamboree in 2001 being the last event with Garfield-themed memorabilia.

More Information about Garfield

Originally, Garfield debuted as Jon in 1976 locally, but was changed to Garfield in 1977, with national syndication coming in 1978. The comic strip focuses on Garfield, a fat orange tabby Persian cat, Odie, a Dachshund dog, and Jon Arbuckle, their human owner. Some other characters who have been in Garfield are Nermal, Arlene, and Dr. Liz Wilson. The comic strip and world are set in Muncie, Indiana, the hometown of Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield. There have been many TV shows, movies, and primetime specials. Below are a few trailers and videos to check out!

Find more videos relating to Garfield at the bottom of this page.

Jim Davis, Creator of Garfield and PAWS Inc.

Check out our 1st YouTube video about the Official SPOKESCAT Garfield the Cub Scout!

Check out these videos about Cub Scouting and Garfield

Daisy Doll and Steve Scout Podcast on Garfield SPOKESCAT

GARFIELDDownload

World Scouting Museum Newsletter, October 2025, featuring Garfield

October 2025Download

Garfield Scouting Gallery

More Garfield Videos to Check Out

Sources about Garfield and Cub Scouts

These sources were used to create this webpage, our Newsletter article, Daisy Doll and Steve Scout Podcast, and our YouTube video. The rights, likeness, and images of Garfield belong to PAWS Inc. They have been reproduced to inform and educate Scouts and Scouters about the history of the Official SPOKESCAT. PAWS Inc reserves all rights, and we would be happy to take down this page and associated materials if asked.

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