Jessica Tow is known in Morgan County for her dedication to animal rescue. Her love for animals has made her the go-to person in Wiggins and beyond for those needing help finding lost pets. Her journey began when she joined the search for Joker, a dog from Michigan who went missing after an accident on I-76.
In March of 2023, Sara Haydens and John Burger were traveling on I-76 in Burger's semi-truck and pulled over on exit 60 for a rest. In the middle of the night, they were struck by another vehicle, which caught fire. Burger tied their dog Joker to a tree away from the truck so he could assist in helping the other person involved in the crash. When he returned, Joker was nowhere to be found. This began a nearly month-long search involving a newspaper article, residents volunteering to search, off-roading, infrared drones, spotting scopes, and even a plane ride. Thanks to these efforts, Joker was finally rescued.
"When I was a kid, I always brought home stray dogs," said Tow. "When we moved to Wiggins, Joker was the first dog I was a part of rescuing, and it spiraled from there."
Since then, Tow has dedicated herself to rescuing missing dogs. Her name is tagged in Facebook posts on the Morgan County Bulletin Board, Lost Pets of Morgan County and many other local pages. She follows along with the comments, posts tips about what to do and not to do and follows sightings. Tow says that she can sit for hours at a time, determining where the dog will return.
Last year, Tow tracked a black and white pitbull spotted in Fort Morgan. A family from Denver was traveling home from Nebraska and their dog jumped out of the car during a stop in Fort Morgan.
"Once I established his favorite spots, I set up a trap," Tow said. "He would watch me set it up, keeping his distance. The closest I was able to get to him was five feet, but he jumped over my head to get away."
The dog's owner drove to Fort Morgan to meet Tow at one of the dog's favorite spots. As soon as the owner arrived, the pitbull's ears perked up, his tail wagged and he ran towards his family.
"It was a challenging process, but seeing his joy when reunited with them made it all worth it," she said.
Tow has established relationships in the community and works closely with the Wiggins Police Department, serving as the unofficial animal control volunteer. She often fosters dogs and ensures they are spayed and neutered before finding new homes. She has partnered with Steiner SILS Affordable Vet Care to hold microchip clinics in Wiggins, making it easier for lost pets to be reunited with their owners. Tow keeps a portfolio of all the dogs she has rescued and returned to their owners.
Covering costs for equipment such as humane dog traps, trail cameras, and a microchip scanner can be challenging. Tow would like to establish a nonprofit animal rescue in the future, allowing her to apply for grants and other resources. She hopes to purchase a second trap due to the increasing number of "lost, loose, stray and dumped" dogs in her area. If you are interested in donating, you can direct message her on Facebook where she has a public post with instructions on how to donate.