Jessica is a great person and I am sure alot of this is misinformation. I got my two boys from her!!!

The people who "rescue" like this will not abide by HB 5368. They will continue to do this and will go deeper under the radar. But, this type of "rescue" will be what is left.

Sorry April, this is 100% accurate and quite frankly far to nice considering what those animals had to endure. Glad you were able to save two dogs from potentially winding up like this.

Thanks Kristen for saying it is accurate. This is deplorable. She has been operating as Roxy & Tys Rescue for quite some time. A lot of dogs out of Gaston County, NC were sent up here to her. As for your comment Bethany - if anyone knows of anyone operating such a "rescue' - it is time to speak up for the animals. I have done so many times. I have been hated for it, but I will speak up against anyone who runs a "rescue" like this one. This is why we need to regulate rescues. Many good rescues will comply. If places like this one do not comply - they will be found and shut down as they need to be. Last year a group had puppies at a public event - puppy was adopted and it had parvo and died. It many have been this very rescue....

According to her facebook page she graduated with an animal science degree. Sadly, it appears as though she truly thinks she's helping these dogs. Hopefully the pups will be adopted by loving people. UGH!

I had not read the courant article until now. It is a sad thing and I wish all the animals well and that they get good homes. But i do have to say one thing on her behalf. My dogs came up from down south and arrived at her place LATE on a Monday night. I received the dogs on Wednesday at noon. That isnt even a day and a half later. One of the dogs was emaciated. They came up from down south that way. There is no way that dog got that skinny in that little time. I will not defend the condition of her house because I have never been there. But I will stick up for that. I have first hand knowledge that for at least my two, they came up here like that. I am happy to report that they are both happy healthy boys and I wouldnt trade them for anything!

Hi folks. Thanks for keeping this discussion going and civil. We know this has generated a lot of interest and have just added some more details. We hope to have more later as well.

Jess is an exceptional person. She has saved and adopted out 300 dogs in the past year. I know for a fact the the dogs came from the south emaciated, and malnourished. Jess was adopting them out very quickly, most of them were in her care for less than 2 weeks. I also, adopted a puppy from RT rescue, and he is a happy healthy little pup! All of you criticizing should try to do some volunteering and see how hard it actually is!

Most of the dogs were rescued from the Gaston Animal Shelter in NC - a high kill shelter that euthanizes hundreds of dogs via a gas chamber. This woman successfully saved and found new homes for almost 300 dogs!!! We got our two rescued dogs from her and are thankful everyday they weren't euthanized. The dogs she kept were all up for adoption and find new homes within a week or two. I think she thought that it was better to live in a cage for a short time while waiting for a permenant home than be killed in a gas chamber. Although the means may not have been ideal, her heart was definitely in the right place.

We will not tolerate name calling in these comments. Varying opinions, however, are encouraged.

Good intensions didn't save these dogs, getting them out of the house did. 14 puppies are being treated for worms and dehydration as we speak. I volunteer for a dog rescue group, this is NOT how they are run. Let's just be thankful the dogs have a chance now and they will survive by Roaring Brook Vet Hospital and other Veterinarians helping these dogs. This women needs to know that this is NOT exceptable, good intensions or not!

Great article John.

My heart still goes out to Jessica and for what she was trying to do. No, there is no excuse for those living conditions, but without her I would not have the two loves I have now and I will be forever grateful to her for them!

Where exactly does the landlord figure in this?

She did her best, and there is ALOT about the situation that you people don't know and will never know. All puppies get worms, anyone who works with animals knows that! She saved 300 dogs from death, which is probably more than any of you will do with your critism.

Look at the photos of the crate and house.... If you can look at those and still appluad her - we are wasting our time talking with you.

thank you Mattie

No animal should ever live like that and I am so happy they are getting help and I hope that the woman can also get help as well, let's not be so critical.

I am curious out of all those on here criticizing her actions to keep these animals alive, how many have actively volunteered their time to help find animals homes? How many have volunteered to help host a dog or cat that is looking for a permanent home? Name calling and being opinionated about this poor woman with a big heart obviously is pointless. Help her, help the animals in need of a home, and stop being part of the problem. These animals would be dead now without her help, that much is certain. Most shelters just kill these strays and unwanted pets. Public funding usually only goes to track down and kill strays if they aren't picked up in a couple days from a mass prison cell type system. People need to volunteer to help. Name calling is usually done by people that do not help or people that do not want to help(like workers that may work around animals all day and don't want to take their work home with them). Only helping helps.....

I have to agree with Blue on her statements. Every dog I have fostered for a recue and several have been from Gaston County, have come up with worms even after they were "tested" down there and had none. The dogs would definitely have been killed down there - no doubt about it. There is also no doubt that they should not have been living the way they were up here. It's unacceptable clearly. However, we don't know what her motives were - I don't even know her. But I do know a lot of animal rescuers and fosters that overextend themselves (maybe not in this way) to help an animal. She obviously got in over her head, but she did save the lives of any that came out of Gaston. Read up on the animal controls in the south and you will see.

Are'nt there shelters in Hartford county with animals waiting to be adopted or put down? This woman might have started out with good intentions and somehow got lost. I just noticed the sign in Canton reminding all to license thier dogs, I think pet owners should be educated and licensed. Maybe the State of North Carolina and the US Humane Society should investigate Gaston AC. Transporting animals into another state and to a "Rescue Facility" that is not regulated or licensed seems a little reckless and charges for animal cruelty are warranted in this case. Maybe some good will come out of all this the animals will get the help they were sent to Collinsville for and Jessica gets some help too. Thanks to all who helped the animals and to the Canton patch for keeping us informed.

There is 'NO' excuse for these types of conditions. Help to the point that you can handle, it's called responsibly when you take it on. Don't take on the responsibility if you can not afford to do so or have the time to care for them. Sounds like she can not do either nor should she be aloud to have animals again. NO EXCUSES! Plain and simple DISGUSTING!

So I guess the dogs in Canton live better than the people do..

Just because someone has good intentions doesn't mean they can do whatever they want.

I was in contact with RT rescue for a week and a half trying to get someone to answer me on 2 dogs I wanted to adopt. I just couldn't get anyone to answer me back. I emailed I facebooked and nothing. Imagine my horror when in one of the photos of the multiple dogs in the crates in the basement was Bowser and Lincoln the two dogs I was trying to adopt. She may have had good intentions but it sadens me that these poor animals had to endure such filth and neglect. At least they will now be adopted out and hopefully find loving forever homes to change their life around.

You may have dogs in Hartford to be adopted but the chances are little. I live in Ma and I got my dog from RT Rescue because there were so few dogs to choose from and then when they get dogs they get adopted out right away. The southern states have a major problem with the dog population and many healthy Innocent dogs and puppies are put to death. Perfectly health pups that have just started with life never have a chance. That's why if you check out pet finder you will see this and wonder how to get a dog.
Jess brought me together with my puppy and I will always be thankful that she was there to do it.
My puppy was checked out at my vet. My vet checks everything and she was healthy. No worms and my vet does the more in depth test for worms. No fleas, negative for heart. Just last week I had her spaded and micro-chip. I felt more comfortable having her checked out by my vet then having to pay someone I don't even know check her out. I was right there and I know the test got done.
I feel bad for Jess, her heart was there but she needed help with he rescue. I know she was looking for foster homes and if I could I would have foster a few. I live in a apt. and lucky to have 1 dog.

Jessica needed more than foster homes. She needed help for herself and she needed to stop doing "rescue" Your pup lived in that filth before you got her. That is cruelty.

The southern states needs to stop exporting their problem and instead, do something about it. Would love to know how many of these dogs end up in our shelters once the cuteness wears off. I bet many southern dog die in our shelters once they are given up on dumped on the streets.

A friend got what turned out to be a very ill puppy from Jessica. She was not allowed to go to the house to get the puppy. It is well known that Jessica met people on the street in Collinsville to take their money and hand over a puppy. If you are not allowed to see where a puppy/dog is being kept - something is wrong. In this case we all can see why no one went into her house to see the pups. Do not get a pet if you cannot see the conditions in which pets are being kept. Also if anyone tries to give/sell you a puppy or kitten that is under 8 weeks of age - know that such practice is illegal. No reputable person or rescue would keep animals in the condition in which Roxy & Ty's dogs were kept. That is not rescue. I hope she never does this again.

Yes I see the pictures I am not blind. Yes I would have like to seen better living conditions. It was filth.But my pup would be died now also. Know why they call the town Gaston, because they gas the dogs to death. Once I got my pup home I washed it all away.
I tried adopting a pet from shelters up here and there was nothing I wanted. I wanted a small dog. I waited for months. I was even told the dogs go fast. Even when the shelter would brought up some dixie dogs they were adopted right away.

I love my dog and would never give her up. I am 52 years old and the cuteness will never wear off for me. Please don't tell me how to adopt a animal. I have had animals all my life and do not need to be told how to adopt a animal.

And all these people that go out and buy animals from store when there are so many to be adopted, that need homes.
And so many people that have to buy purebred just for the sake of it when so many animals need homes. It is a dam shame.
One last thing I bought a dog from Jessica and she is perfectly healthy.
Marsha is the one that brought the dog to me.

I don't live in CT
I will not reach you and you will not reach me. Agree to disagree and move on"

So you might live in MA and may have picked up your dog here to avoid laws in MA????

Mass has no shelters with adoptable dogs or cats? Or is this placement requirements to easy or none existent at Ty and Roxy's. I wonder what Jessica's placement requirements were? Seems like you want one you got one...

I love all the second guessing going on in these posts. Those of us who obtained dogs from Jessica know the truth of her adoptions and what happens. Those who did not adopt from her should stop speculating and starting rumors. I also tho that Patch should crack down on their NAMES ONLY rule because those who hide behind fake names or one single name does not make it fair to those of us who are not afraid to post under our true identities - maybe because WE have nothing to hide!

it is all too easy and cowardly to sit behind your computer and judge another person. no one knows jess here, or what she was thinking. we all agree her heart was in the right place and that the conditions were not good. further judgments, accusations, and guesswork are all gossip and do nothing to contribute to the discussion. those of you that feel so passionately about the well-being of animals, perhaps step away from this thread and do something about it- become vegetarian, foster dogs yourself! nothing will be changed here with you asserting your opinion on patch. jess has been a friend of mine for years and i feel it is my place to stand up for her and urge you to not judge or bully anyone, as no one quite knows what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. rather than condemn and kick someone that's down, we should be here wishing jess well and hoping she will continue to rescue dogs in a manner that is more realistic. these are the times when we should reach out to help each other and offer kindness to both humans and animals that are within our reach.

The truth is in the photos. Also I do know people who got dogs from her who have a very different story to tell. However fear of being attacked by her supporters may keep these people from speaking up. I also have done hundreds of hours volunteering at shelters in CT, fostering one local dog at a time, and have owned and do own CT shelter dogs myself.

How can they say there was no food, when in 1 of the pictures you can see the food in a dish.
I can say one thing , now I know why my dog ripe up news papers when I first got her.
My dog had no worms, which means some where she was treated for worms because all puppies a born with worms. Everyone knows that's.

The place was condemned and deemed unfit for humans. If you can still say she did a good thing while looking at the feces filled crate, then I give up on you. The place was disgusting, conditons warranted cruelty charges, and so far no one has said they went in her house to pick up their puppy. If anyone had seen it, she would have been arrested sooner. Just because someone sold you a dog does not mean they did everything well. I know a couple people with pups from her - she met them on the street and took the money and handed them sick puppies. I do hope she never tries to set up another rescue. She blew it.

I am a TRUE DOG LOVER ~*~ the more time I spend w/ humans **** the more I love my dogs ~*~* DOGS are the ultimate unconditional sign of LOVE ~*~* hence *~* GOD IS DOG spelled backward ~*~*~* yes,,, very ZEN~~ I know... on this note ~*~*~ ~~ PLEASE GET YOUR DOG 'FIXED ' ~*~*~ just be responsible people ~*~ GROW UP !!

Agreed Karen! I believe Jessica started out with the best intent and did some good in the past to save animals. Clearly she needs help and I sincerely hope she gets it so something like this never happens again to her or other animals.

These dogs were hidden and did not bark to cause alarm before last Tuesday, even the UPS man said he never heard anything, anything at all. If forty dogs were being let out to go potty I assure you we neighbors would have seen it and we never did, just the same three sometimes one more, ever.

Donna, these dogs were left without food and water, for how long is unclear. The picture you are referring to is with puppies, the "food" appears to be far to large for their baby teeth to deal with and why would they eat something that would further cause thirst? They wouldn't and I believe everyone should know that. This "food" was useless to them and they clearly left it even though they were very hungry. I watched them literally attack a poland spring water bottle to get to the contents.

These dogs were suffering, some were hurt. They were not given proper medical care. They were not given water or food and were malnourished (again, for how long is uncertain). They were not let out for air or to go potty. These are the facts.

My heart does go out to Jessica, her family and friends as this is all very sad but that does not excuse what happened to these animals, not one bit.

I also agree with you Snakes, alter your pets!

How much money did it take to Adopt one of these dogs? How was the money used?

Look at the site where they were taken, The Simon Foundation in Bloomfield CT. The money spent was used for their care and making sure they were adoptable, altering (if necessary), food, grooming and so on. If anyone wants to make additional donations please do so with Beverly LaPlume (Animal Control) as she needs a new vehicle to help transport future shelter animals. She is a wonderful person doing a very tough job, all help would surely be appreciated. :)

Or make a donation to The Simon Foundation or other legitimate shelter if preferred. :)

I'm asking about the adoption process prior to the removal of the dogs.

Kristen, all very well said. I could not agree with you more!!
For all others concerned, I will make sure to try and figure out how to add my last name.

Here is info directly from my firend who adopted a dog from Jessica.

No I didn't fill out any paper work which surprised me. She asked no questions. We paid $200. I did receive a sheet with information saying she was being treated for worms. She stopped eating and drinking the very next day. Numerous vet visits, x-rays, special food, medications, boarding, and finally found a blockage in the lower intestines. Most likely a paper towel or something like that. We spent at least $2000. Surely she ate something in that trashed filled place.
Feel free to share the info. I just can't share my name at this time.

Dog was bought in January 2011 - April - You will never convince me that this "rescue' was anything but a sad hoarding situation where dogs were kept in horrible cruel conditions by a woman who needs professional psychiatric help. You must be a very good friend to keep defending this place. It was a pigsty full of dehydrated, ill, unfed, caged dogs sold to anyone with $200 - no questions asked. I do not believe this apartment got this disgusting - enough to be condemned - in a short period of time. This HAD been going on for a long time. She deserves the arrest and I hope she gets the help she needs to understand that what she did was wrong. No adoption application - no questions asked of the purchaser - just give me $200 bucks and here is your dog. This is why we need regulation of imported dogs.

Give up trying to sell this "rescue" in a positive light - I am not buying it. Not one bit.

I, too, got my dogs in January of 2011. Karen, no one is saying that the housing of these dogs was acceptable. But instead of condemning the situation, I think people should look for ways to help. I am not a friend of Jessicas. I do not know her except that she worked at my vet and was excellent to my cat there. When I adopted I did not know who i was adopting from until I met her in person and realized she was the 'girl from the vets". I just dont believe in slamming someone when they are obviously already down. What happened was wrong, no doubt about it. I am sure she isnt the first nor will she be the last to be in this situation. I wish her and every single animal looking to be adopted well. I respect your opinion as I hope you can respect mine. And I am glad that your friend saved that dog and that it is in a good home where it belongs!

Ok, so you say they should be treated like babies. I totally agree. You can't watch them if you are hoarding them in your house while you are gone. What's the law for adult to baby ratio at a daycare center? Probably 1 to 3. You cannot deny this was cruelty. This filth did not happen in a day, a week or a month. This clearly was going on for a very long time. I would never have adopted from her if I saw this.

300 dogs last year at 200 dollars thats 60,000.00 dollars!!! Where did all that cash go? More to the picture than meets the eye....

This is ridiculous. She could have hired someone to help her and you are talking about the cost for the lifetime of the pet. She was turning them around sooner than she ever bought a chew toy!

She didn't spend money on food toys vet visits or water. That is evident

Hopefully the authoritys look into the cash flow. 60 grand is a whole lot of cash..

I almost adopted a beautiful female golden from jess just a few wees ago. I drove over an hour to meet her at a bike path, which was odd, and never once filled out any paperwork or was asked any questions at all. I was to pay 425.00, NOT 200 and i could have taken the dog that day. Jess drove up in a car filled with dogs and left the car running with them inside, telling me she had many appointments and spaced them all 1/2 an hour apart. I found that odd as well. When I tried to walk the golden, who was supposed to be healthy, she was too weak to move. I asked about that and the green mucus coming from her mouth and nose and was told she had kennel cough and was on meds. She also had fleas jumping off of her as well as an obviously infected incision site from her spay. She was absolutely filthy. I asked if my cats could get ill from the cough and was told no way (MY vet disputes that). I just felt like something was really wrong and was fearful for the health of my other pets, so I did not take her. I had a nagging feeling this "shelter" should be reported, but since I saw no facility, had no proof. I am really sorry I didn't listen to my gut. ANyone who lets animals go with complete strangers is a red flag. I'm sorry for anyone who had to deal with this. I pray all the animals are okay.

That is the Golden in the photo lying on the floor. I urger anyone who sees such a situation to report it to the Dept of Agriculture and local animal control immediately.

Jen

Even if this was private citizen with a dog in that shape - call and report it. Could have saved these dogs from suffering as long as they did

Karen, do not say that to Jen. She is not to blame. That is NOT fair.
This is a tragedy.....there are enough victims......let's all learn from this devastating tragedy & move on.......

Patti

It would be appreciated if people would use their full names per Patch agreements. I have stuck my neck out and said who I am but many have not done so. Stand up in support of the new law that will regulate such "rescuers" importing dogs or stand up against it. However i am no longer responding to anyone who is afraid to say who they are.

I'll be interested to hear what happens in court tomorrow. As far as I can see (via the judicial website) she was charged with one act of animal cruelty, not forty. My understanding from people that work in the judicial system is it's supposed to be one count per animal, not a blanket "one count" charge. I don't see how this misdemeanor will help stop this behavior in the future for the benefit of Jessica or the animals. I hope I'm wrong.

I rescued my new fur kid from her, just a few days before the arrest. He is a doberman pinscher approximately 2 years old. When I picked him up he was severely underweight, yet Jess told me he had an all clear by the vet and even showed me some papers. However, when I took him home to my personal veterinarian I found out he had a major staph infection that was causing his skin to flake and fall off. I have had him for just over a month now and he has yet to rid himself of the infection. I would like to say that when meeting with Jess she seemed very nice, and I do think she meant to do the right thing. Sometimes the love for animals and the ambition to save them all can blind you from what can truly be accomplished.
Though Rutherford (i kept the name he had been given) had had his ears and tail cut off with shears somewhere along his journey, and is still fighting off his staph infection, he seems to have not been fazed at all by his ordeal and already loves me to bits .

Conditions were NOT like that back in October, or even as late as May 2011 - and I know this for a fact.... if you used a real name people might believe what you have to say a little easier. If you (not you personally) cant afford to care for a pet you should not have it to begin with!!!!

April Rogers, you need to focus less on what someone's name is and more on the reality of the sick situation that finally came to an end in July. The reality is that there were far too many sick, starving and dehydrated dogs in a feces filled apartment. There were 14 little puppies locked up in 3 crates in a dark nasty basement. That is the reality. Who cares what anyone's name is. Jessica may be a saint, but the reality is she lost control of what she was doing.

Liz - you said it all. Sadly I think nothing will be done topunish this person. She should pay for the cost of the raid on her house, care of the dogs at the vet and kennel, and more. Doubt she will get anything but a slap on the wrist and be back at "rescue" again.

Liz : very nicely said, Karen I hope you are wrong ,people may not realize ,but these animals were traumatized not once ,but twice and she needs to be held accountable ,because I have said it before and i will say it again if you can not treat animal s right you CAN NOT treat people right.

I adopted a dog from her in April. When i got her she was starving and had a skin infection. She was so hungry she attacked any food that I had in front of her for about a week. She also had three types of worms and when I emailed Jess back telling her about the worms there was no response. I paid $150 for my dog. It was worth it for such a loving dog but I ended up paying so much for vet bills to clear up infections and deworming that I was told was done twice before. After seeing these pictures I was disgusted. Its not fair for the dogs to be living like this. This is not rescuing by any means. I was a little suspicious when I found out we weren't meeting at a house or store to pick up the dog we met in a parking lot and the 5 or so dogs in the car, my dog and the woman smelt awful.