Meet Jessica Harper

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Harper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to be when I grow up, but I’m grateful that Liberation Cat House has become a clear and meaningful part of my purpose. I grew up on a small farm in northeast Ohio, where my mom instilled in me a deep love for animals and a strong sense of responsibility for those in need. That foundation stuck with me, even after moving to Central Florida. Years later, a friend called during a heavy rainstorm after finding a litter of newborn kittens under a bush. They were cold, wet, and only about a week old. She asked if I could help, and I said yes!
Caring for those kittens, feeding them around the clock and watching them grow, reignited something in me. I realized I wanted to do more, so I signed up to foster through the local county shelter. At first, “Liberation Cat House” was just the name I used for a social media account where I shared updates and helped promote my foster cats for adoption. Over time, it evolved into much more.
While fostering, I learned that the shelter often relied on rescue partners to take in cats who needed more extensive medical care than they could provide. I found myself especially drawn to these more complex cases, the cats who were at higher risk and needed additional support. Thanks to the small, supportive community that had formed around my social media and with the shelter’s blessing, I began fundraising to help cover veterinary care and take on these medical cases myself.
Starting a rescue hadn’t been part of the original plan, but as the need grew, so did my involvement. Eventually, forming a nonprofit became the next logical step to increase the impact I could have. Liberation Cat House officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2018, and by 2019, we became an official rescue partner with the shelter.
Since then, what started as a solo effort has grown into a team of six directors and around 20 foster families. Next month, we’ll welcome our 900th intake! I never expected this path, but it’s become one of the most fulfilling parts of my life. I’m grateful every day to be doing this work alongside an incredible group of people who share the same passion.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

The mission of Liberation Cat House is to rescue and rehabilitate at-risk cats and kittens in Central Florida, with a special focus on those requiring more extensive medical care. We’ve seen a wide range of cases, from cats with broken legs to kittens born without back legs to those with rare heart defects, and just about everything in between. Our goal is to give these animals the care they need to heal and thrive until they’re healthy and ready for adoption.
What sets us apart is our commitment to the most vulnerable felines, those who might not have a chance otherwise. We’re also incredibly proud of our all-volunteer team of directors and foster families. These are the people who pour their literal blood, sweat, and tears into saving lives. Their dedication impacts not just the animals in our care, but also the people whose lives are changed when they welcome these special cats into their homes.
We love connecting with our community through local events, which help us raise awareness about our work and give people a chance to meet some of our amazing kitties. These events are also a great opportunity to spread education about the importance of spaying and neutering to help address feline overpopulation. We’ve even been lucky to partner with a couple of incredible local businesses (shoutout to our friends at Gideon’s Bakehouse and Tabby Tattoo!) who host annual events in support of the cats of Liberation.
Looking ahead, our focus is on refining our processes and procedures so we can continue to grow our capacity and save even more lives. We’re also working on expanding our foster network and building new community partnerships, all with the goal of making the biggest impact we can.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are empathy, perseverance, and a willingness to put in the hard work. I’m not sure I have a clear roadmap for how to develop those traits as life has a way of shaping them differently in each individual, but I can share what’s helped me most: learning to trust that things will work out the way they’re meant to, as long as you keep showing up and taking the next step. There have been several moments in my journey when something I was hoping for didn’t pan out, like an opportunity that fell through, or a plan that didn’t unfold the way I expected. It felt disappointing in the moment, but looking back, I can see that those hiccups were often what moved the rescue forward in the direction it needed to go. You don’t have to have the full path figured out to make progress. Just focus on the next right step. Keep showing up, keep doing the work, and allow your purpose to reveal itself along the way.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I’m about to give myself a talking to by answering this question, because it’s something I still have to remind myself of regularly. Hopefully it resonates with someone else, too.
Feeling overwhelmed is something I experience often. There’s always more to do, more I want to accomplish, more progress I wish I were making. The to-do list never really ends. My best advice is to start by being kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to rest. It’s not just okay, it’s essential, to make time for yourself and to replenish your reserves. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Find whatever helps you quiet your mind and disconnect from the loop of constant thinking. For me, that’s walking in the woods, making brooms, or putting together LEGOs. Whatever your version of that is, prioritize it. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s what allows you to keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liberationcathouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberationcathouse
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liberationcathouse