Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s. She has written dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production.
In 1995, she founded Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. Her first book, The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook, co-authored with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall, won a 2010 Certificate of Excellence as well as the 2010 Muse Medallion Award for best book from the Cat Writers’ Association. The writing partners also wrote Paleo Dog: Give Your Best Friend a Long Life, Healthy Weight, and Freedom from Illness by Nurturing His Inner Wolf.
Dr. Jean is retired from veterinary practice; she is no longer providing consultations. If your cat has a medical issue, please visit www.ahvma.org to find a practitioner in your area.
Our behavior expert, Animal Planet star and host of “My Cat from Hell,” Jackson Galaxy calls upon his in-the-trenches knowledge of feline behavior as well as intuitive empathy to assist you in solving your toughest cat behavior problems. Please visit Jackson’s website for more information.
Our Vision
Little Big Cat was born out of our deep desire to keep cats in their homes instead of joining the 6 million cats who die in shelters every year, or becoming one of the 60 million abandoned, stray and feral cats living on the streets.
It happens all the time — people reach the end of their rope with an unwanted cat behavior. Suddenly, it seems that there is nothing left but to get rid of the cat. People do not know there is help available, so they do not seek it. They “live with it,” and let the problem go on, until their relationship with their cat is damaged beyond repair.
We’ve both worked in shelters, and we’ve both euthanized healthy cats whose only crime was developing a bad habit. Relinquishing a cat is hard enough for the family, but for us to have to kill that cat is much worse. Little Big Cat was created to offer an alternative — a way through and out of problems.
Since we started, our conviction that the work we’re doing is needed has only deepened, and our commitment and enthusiasm continue to grow. If you feel the same way, please consider making a donation to help support our work.
We hope you enjoy exploring our website, that you learn something new about cat behavior or health today, and that you ever more deeply share our love and admiration for cats. Please visit us often – we’re constantly adding and revising and updating! This is a learning process for everyone, and as we learn more, we want to share it with you.
Thanks for coming! Now, go hug your cat!