Everyone has the ability to support animal rescue. My role is to show how even small, intentional contributions can make a meaningful difference when applied the right way. Through targeted efforts, I focus on producing real results in some of the most underserved regions.
I’m Jen. Autistic, slightly weird, and deeply committed to rescue work. This isn’t a phase or a side project. It’s what I’ve built my life around. I’ve co-founded two successful nonprofit rescues and am now expanding my focus into prevention at the root, including spay and neuter efforts and long-term solutions to the crisis that keeps repeating itself.
My values are simple: transparency, ethics, and honesty. I don’t sugarcoat rescue, and I don’t pretend it’s something it’s not. I’m here to do the work and to show people what’s really happening, especially in the areas most people never see.
A large part of my work is focused on the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. Since April 2017, I’ve been part of rescuing over 2,000 dogs from this region, and that work continues. I also support local street feeders who are doing everything they can with very little. In many cases, it’s as basic as a bag of food or whatever they can manage that day.
In April 2024, my work was disrupted by a smear campaign carried out by people I trusted, which led to the loss of the organization I spent over seven years building, Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue. At its peak, we were rescuing more than 650 dogs per year, raising over $1 million annually, and bringing national attention to the crisis in the RGV. After two years of ongoing legal battles, I’ve shifted my focus to rebuilding what was lost, including prevention programs, funding initiatives, and the foundation behind the work.
One of the things I care about most is showing others how to get involved, especially when it comes to helping dogs in South Texas. Whether it’s individuals or other rescues, there is always a way to be part of it.
And when I’m not doing this, I’m usually talking about Arizona or hanging out with my dog, Blue.
In 2011, I found hope in Echo. He altered the course of my life and introduced me to the world of dog rescue. Over the years, I have dedicated my life to rescuing and rehabilitating over 3,500 dogs, providing them with the love and care they deserve.
In 2017, I Co-Founded Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, an organization dedicated to serving the underdog. With heavy focus on dogs in South Texas, our rescue saved the most critical and urgent based dogs. Together, we transformed 3200+ lives.
In 2024, I launched Second Start Rescue, a continuance of SSR following an unlawful hostile takeover. This initiative focuses on storytelling and community engagement to inspire others to join the cause and help save dogs all over the country.
Through Facebook and outreach programs, I aim to educate the community about animal welfare. Together, we can create a compassionate world for all dogs, ensuring they find their forever homes.
what comes next
Projects that deserve your attention…
Spay & Neuter Initiatives
Rebuild the stolen funds. Start the process. Spay the dogs. Honor the legacy of Jill Graves and Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue.
My path into rescue came out of trauma and the work of rebuilding through therapy. In that process, I found a connection with dogs that was immediate and undeniable. Helping them became a way to create stability, purpose, and opened my eyes to the true horror our dogs face.
How can I support your efforts?
Support doesn’t have to be local. You can foster, help with transport, assist behind the scenes with administrative work, or contribute financially to medical care and placements. Sharing the dogs also matters more than people think. Most of this work depends on people who aren’t physically here.
What types of dogs do you rescue?
I focus on the dogs that are hardest to place. Sick, injured, behavioral, or overlooked, with a strong emphasis on German Shepherds. Many come from South Texas, where the need is constant and resources are limited.
What is the mission of Second Start Rescue?
Second Start Rescue was built out of the work I started with Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue and exists to continue it. The focus is on taking responsibility for dogs from intake through placement, prioritizing the harder cases, and creating outcomes that last. Long-term, the goal is to expand into prevention, especially through spay and neuter efforts in the regions driving the crisis.
How can I adopt if I don’t live in Virginia or Texas?
Second Start Rescue has dogs placed in homes from Washington state all the way to the North East! We coordinate transport routes that span the country, and approved adopters have the option to have their dog transported directly to them.
Want to support my work?
If you believe in what I do, please subscribe on Facebook to support my rescue work and help me keep saving dogs who need a second chance.
