How One New Year’s Eve Rescue Sparked The Jack of Hearts Foundation

Sometimes a movement begins with outrage. Sometimes it begins with legislation. And sometimes, it begins with a single dog found in the middle of the street on New Year’s Eve.

That dog was Jack.

On New Year’s Eve 2023, Jack was discovered skinny, limping, and filthy in the middle of the road. Two strangers, Zach and Jason, opened their car door and took him in.

What followed wasn’t a quick rescue story with a tidy ending. It was nine months of commitment.

Nine months of nursing him back to health. Nine months of bringing him to adoption events across Las Vegas.

Nine months of walking him down the Strip, through Downtown Summerlin, around Town Square, and anywhere else that might lead him to the right home.

Jack adored people. He greeted them with the kind of warmth that makes you stop in your tracks.

But he struggled with other large dogs, and in a city where multi-dog households are common, that made placement difficult. The search for his forever family stretched on.

Then, in early September 2024, everything changed.

Jack ingested oleander leaves, a highly toxic plant common in the Las Vegas Valley. He spent several nights at an emergency veterinary hospital fighting for his life.

Despite every effort to save him, he passed away on September 9th at 2:38 a.m.

Grief does strange things. It can hollow you out. Or it can galvanize you.

For Jack’s foster family and the community that had grown around him, it did both.

From Heartbreak to Purpose

In the days following Jack’s passing, something remarkable happened.

Through a GoFundMe campaign and an event called The Jack of Hearts Session, rooted in ties to the magic community, more than $20,000 was raised.

It was more than what was needed for Jack’s medical bills. And instead of letting that momentum fade, his community asked a simple question:

What if this could help more dogs?

That question became The Jack of Hearts Foundation, now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting rescue groups across Las Vegas.

The mission is straightforward but deeply needed: provide funding for veterinary costs, food and supplies, and operational expenses so rescues can continue saving lives without drowning in financial strain.

Animal rescue is exhausting work. In recent years, surrenders have increased. Abandonment cases feel more frequent. Adoptions and donations have slowed. Many rescue volunteers are juggling multiple personal pets while fostering on top of that. Boarding fees pile up when fosters can’t be found. Emergency surgeries can wipe out months of fundraising in a single day. It’s an ecosystem stretched thin.

The Jack of Hearts Foundation understands that reality. They may still be young as an organization, but they operate with a clear understanding of how quickly funds evaporate when lives are on the line.

One of the founders described it best with a simple analogy: drops of water in a bucket. A single drop doesn’t look like much. But enough drops change everything.

A Different Audience, A Different Approach

Las Vegas already has incredible organizations raising money for rescues, and The Jack of Hearts Foundation doesn’t pretend to reinvent the wheel. What makes them unique is the audience they bring to the table.

Through their deep ties to the local, national, and international magic community, they’ve created a fundraising model that taps into supporters who may not have previously been involved in animal rescue at all. Their annual Jack of Hearts Session brings magicians from around the world together for a full-day lecture and silent auction. It’s not designed for casual fans. It’s an insider event. A professional gathering. A niche audience rallying around a shared cause.

That crossover is powerful.

It expands the donor base beyond the typical rescue circles. It introduces new people to the realities of animal welfare in Southern Nevada. And as fundraising grows, so does the number of rescue groups they can assist.

Beyond the magic event, the foundation is exploring creative community-driven fundraisers: outdoor movie nights where pups are welcome, potential dog-friendly pickleball tournaments, trivia nights, bowling, poker events, even the idea of dogs on ice.

They’ve hosted “pool days” where supporters donated for the chance to bring their dogs to swim. It’s inventive, a little whimsical, and entirely in line with their belief that advocacy doesn’t always have to feel heavy.

Why This Work Matters

The truth is, rescue work doesn’t end when a dog is pulled off the street. It often begins there.

Veterinary bills stack up fast. Boarding facilities charge daily. Specialized medical care can cost thousands.

When rescues choose to pay for boarding rather than relinquish a dog back to the shelter system, they do so out of commitment, but that commitment comes with a financial burden.

The Jack of Hearts Foundation steps into that gap.

Their social media presence also helps amplify adoptable animals across the valley, increasing visibility for dogs who might otherwise be overlooked. Sometimes all it takes is the right pair of eyes at the right moment.

But at its core, this foundation exists because of a deeper belief.

Animals teach us empathy. They soften us. They add silliness and joy to days that might otherwise feel heavy. Dogs were domesticated by humans. Brought into our homes. Into our families. And with that comes responsibility.

No dog deserves to suffer because of abandonment, abuse, or even circumstances outside a human’s control like job loss or housing instability. They deserve love. Shelter. Food. Medical care. Stability.

Facilitating that, even in small ways, is central to this mission.

Tails From The Red Jeep

If you’ve seen a red Jeep cruising around Northwest Las Vegas in the summer, doors off, music playing, dogs piled inside with ears flapping in the wind, you’ve already witnessed a piece of The Jack of Hearts Foundation in action.

One of the founders, Jason, drives that Jeep. It’s become something of a local symbol. They’ve dubbed it #tailsfromtheredjeep, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: dogs, sunshine, and pure, uncomplicated joy.

It spreads smiles. It sparks conversations. It reminds people that rescue work isn’t only about crisis and heartbreak. It’s also about second chances and happiness.

Looking Ahead

The foundation is still young, but ambitious. They raised $15,000 in their first year and have set a goal of $25,000 by their second anniversary in March 2027.

They’re actively seeking partnerships with businesses that want to increase charitable giving, including employers who offer donation matching programs.

They’re small.

They’re growing.

And they’re driven by the memory of one dog who changed everything.

Jack’s story didn’t end the way anyone hoped. But because of him, other dogs will receive medical care. Other rescues will have breathing room. Other families will find their companions.

That’s how legacy works.

Sometimes it only takes one dog to change a community.

Jack was that dog.

To learn more, donate, or follow upcoming events, visit their website.