Jackson Galaxy Takes Over Napa Valley Animal Rescue

Reality television star and cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy has taken the helm at We Care Animal Rescue in St. Helena, California. Galaxy, best known for his Animal Planet show "My Cat From Hell," plans to transform the long-standing rescue into the headquarters for the Jackson Galaxy Project, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of cats.

Galaxy will serve as the chair of the rescue's new board of directors. His stated goal is to establish a "new model for cat welfare that places the physical, emotional and mental needs of cats at the center." He expressed that this move feels like a return to his roots, as he began his career working with cats in animal shelters over 30 years ago.

The Jackson Galaxy Project aims to create a facility that prioritizes feline well-being, moving away from traditional shelter practices. "The Jackson Galaxy Project will be a place where all cats — whether they are in homes, in shelters or in our communities — can be spoken for," Galaxy stated.

We Care Animal Rescue, founded in 1982, has operated with a unique philosophy of allowing cats to roam freely without cages, intervening only for medical or safety reasons. The organization will continue its educational programs under the new leadership.

Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities, which plans to continue its collaboration with the rescue, commented, "Jackson has always been about giving cats a voice, and we were lucky to partner on that work. The Jackson Galaxy Project will show what sheltering can look like when it’s built around what cats actually need."

A new website for the Jackson Galaxy Project is expected to launch this fall. In the interim, potential volunteers and adopters can visit the We Care Animal Rescue website for information. The initiative highlights the significant need for cat welfare resources, particularly in California where thousands of shelter cats and an estimated one million unowned community cats reside.