Jackson Galaxy

Jackson Galaxy (born Richard Kirschner on April 28, 1966) is an American cat behaviorist, author, television host, and prominent digital content creator. Best known as the host and executive producer of Animal Planet’s long-running reality series My Cat from Hell, Galaxy has established himself as a leading voice in feline behavior and animal welfare. Through his popular YouTube channel, television programs, and books, he educates pet owners worldwide on cat care, feline enrichment, and resolving behavioral challenges.

About and Early Career

Born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, Galaxy initially pursued a career in the arts, earning a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Iowa. During the 1990s, while working at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in Colorado, he began working extensively with rescue cats. Observing feline behavior firsthand, he developed strategies to reduce behavioral euthanasia and improve cat adoption rates. In 2002, he co-founded a private consulting practice to help cat guardians resolve behavioral issues in their homes, eventually relocating to Los Angeles, California, to expand his animal consulting work.

Television and Digital Content

Galaxy achieved widespread recognition as the host of My Cat from Hell, which premiered on Animal Planet in 2011 and ran for eleven seasons. On the show, Galaxy visited homes across the United States to assist cat owners dealing with severe behavioral problems, promoting environmental modification, play, and positive reinforcement. Expanding into online media, he launched his self-titled YouTube channel, where he posts advice videos, product reviews, and educational series such as Cat Mojo. His content focuses on understanding feline instincts, cat enrichment, and strengthening human-cat relationships.

Advocacy and Personal Life

In addition to his media work, Galaxy is an active advocate for animal rescue and non-profit initiatives. He founded The Jackson Galaxy Project, a dedicated program working to improve the lives of shelter animals through environmental enrichment and shelter staff education. He has also authored several bestselling books on feline care, including Total Cat Mojo and Catification. In June 2014, Galaxy married fellow animal advocate Minoo Rahbar in a ceremony held at the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.