Willow and Pharoah Legal Fund

Hello everyone,

My name is Jo-Lynn Estrada and I want to summarize the purpose of this GoFundMe. There is a detailed explanation following my introduction and I recommend reading it as well.

The basics: I needed to move and asked the rescue I adopted from for permission to place my dogs in foster until I could send for them (after obtaining animal friendly housing). They said sure and I allowed them to choose the foster. My dogs went to foster happy and healthy (pics, videos and vet records prove this). For months I stayed in touch, skyped with my babies and continued to persevere with one goal: reunification. The day I messaged the foster about arranging transport she said "no". Now, I will be honest, I had no idea what to think. I repeatedly asked what she meant and the response was to block me. Suddenly no one from the rescue would answer me. I began to worry that my dogs were injured, lost, all types of horrible things ran through my mind. I then found out that the foster wants to keep my dogs. I have since learned the rescue has a history of letting fosters keep the dogs over adopters but in this case I adopted these babies YEARS ago. These are my babies.
When it became evident that I was not going to disappear, the rescue chose to spread lies and deceipt in lieu of righting their wrong. Due to this I was forced to secure an attorney who feels the case is solid. As the attorney states one cannot borrow a tv and not return it because it needs a new tube. Even IF their bogus, unproven allegations were true, what they are doing is illegal and theft. They allegedly have statements from a vet and a groomer on their payroll. Any physical issues documented, if they truly have any, were documented AFTER being in the fosters care. I offered to reimburse any vetting, vetting done without my permission or knowledge, only to be told to contact their attorney. Being a large entity may scare most away and allow this type of bullyish behavior to occur but not everyone will quit. The allegations are NOT true. All are easily proven as lies. I ask you to please support Willow, Pharoah and myself in our battle against this large corporation with no legal standing. There are dozens of SCR dogs in boarding that this foster mom can adopt. Dogs truly in need. My babies were temporarily in need and now the time has come to send them home! I am their home and they are my family.



Willow and Pharoah need help getting home after they were entrusted  to foster care and Second Chance Rescue NYC, as well as the foster, are refusing to return the dogs to me.

Here is the story: 

In December of 2017, my relationship with my boyfriend dissolved. My dogs Willow and Pharoah had been adopted from SECOND CHANCE RESCUE, NYC. After much consideration, I sent out a plea via the SECOND CHANCE RESCUE, NYC Facebook support group asking for a 6 month foster while I relocated to Arizona. This was a heartbreaking decision for me, but I considered it best for my dogs, and I was met with much support and care from the rescue community.  A foster was found, who agreed to care for my dogs for the required 6 months. On February 27, my dogs were transferred to a foster. During the next 6 months I was in regular contact with the foster. Pictures were sent, we had video conferences, I sent gifts. The relationship was always pleasant and I always expressed my gratitude. 


I moved back to the east coast on August 16th.  I had tried to reach out to the foster to arrange transport by phone and FB messenger on the 14th and 15th.  On the Friday 17th, I tried to contact SECOND CHANCE RESCUE NYC.  On Tuesday 21st, I spoke to the President of SECOND CHANCE RESCUE, NYC, Ms. Jennifer Brooks, making it clear that I intended on getting my dogs back. It had taken four days to get to speak to the Ms. Brooks via telephone. She asked some questions regarding whether or not I was employed, did I have a pet approved apartment, veterinarian care. On August 23rd, I forwarded an email to Ms. Brooks.  The email was from Cecilia Blake and it verified my employment with her, my living situation at her property and her full permission for me to have my dogs live with me.  I heard nothing back.  Cecelia, and her own rescue, are known to Ms Brooks, who respects Cecelia's rescue and her ability to care for dogs to the extent that she recently asked Cecelia to take temporary custody of a SECOND CHANCE RESCUE, NYC dog as a favor, which Cecelia willingly did for her.  After forwarding Cecelia's email, I heard nothing back.  


On August 27th, I sent another email to Ms. Brooks. My email and responses are as follows:

On Mon, Aug 27, 2018 at 2:27 AM, Jo-Lynn Estrada <@gmail.com> wrote:
Attn: Jennifer Brooks 


Good day. 

Per our verbal agreement I would like a date to receive my dogs back into my care.

As you know, I have been requesting reunification since August 17, beginning with a Facebook Messenger message to Judy.  

I am hoping to resolve this without legal recourse.

Please feel free to contact me if there is anything else you require, as I have fulfilled my end of the agreement by securing employment, dog and cat friendly housing, and returning within the six month agreed upon time frame. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Ms. JC Estrada 

On Mon, Aug 27, 2018, 6:56 PM Jennifer Brooks <rescue@nycsecondchancerescue. org> wrote:
Dear Ms. Estrada:
I am in receipt of your August 27, 2018 email inquiring about Willow and Pharoah.
Please be advised that Second Chance Rescue will not be returning Willow and Pharoah to your custody. After both dogs were relinquished by you in February of 2018, numerous and serious medical conditions suffered by both dogs were observed by the foster family with whom they were placed.  In the case of Willow these conditions included, but were not limited to, a serious tooth infection and gum disease, an undiagnosed lump about which you indicated you were previously aware but had not had checked by a veterinarian, and a torn leg ligament.  Willow additionally suffered from overgrown nails which had been neglected to the point that Willow’s current veterinarian is concerned the quicks will never return to a normal condition. Willow needs, and is now supplied, a daily supplement for her hip problems and inflammation caused by her arthritis. As for Pharoah, he was suffering from recurring ear infections, which were evidently never treated. Furthermore, when they were picked up both dogs’ ears were very dirty and neither appeared to have been groomed for some time.
As you know and have acknowledged, Second Chance Rescue, as well as Willow and Pharoah’s foster family, have made many attempts to do whatever we could to help you as you tried to get back on your feet. There have been long periods of time in the last six months, however, without contact from you inquiring about the condition or welfare of Willow and Pharaoh. Moreover, while you represented upon your surrender that you would make payments toward their medical care, no payments in even nominal amounts were ever submitted by you. Instead, the payments for Willow and Pharoah’s respective medical care were borne by their foster family and Second Chance Rescue.