04/22/2026
Our hearts are heavy today.
On Monday, April 21st, Jessica of Jess & Pets lost her home to a devastating house fire. She also lost two of her beloved dogs, Charlie and Jack, and one of her cats, Benji. Three of her cats were rescued, and her two children are safe, but the loss she is carrying is unimaginable and beyond words.
We don't know Jessica personally, but her reputation in our local pet care community speaks for itself. Those who do know her have always spoken of her highly, and as someone who loves her animals deeply, who shows up for the people and pets in her care, and who gives her whole heart to this work. For those of us who do what she does, this kind of loss is the one we can barely bring ourselves to imagine.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Jessica and her two children with immediate needs — clothing, food, temporary housing, and care for her surviving cats — and to help them begin rebuilding.
If you're able to donate, please do. If you can't, sharing this post matters just as much.
Sending love to Jessica, her family, and everyone who knows and loves her. 💛
https://gofund.me/1c5582f3
On April 21st my best friends life changed in an instant. Jes… Kirsten Ballantyne needs your support for Devastating house fire that took the lives of beloved pets