Story by Rebecca West
Photos courtesy of the Van Es Family
In each issue of the magazine, we try to bring readers a story that inspires and uplifts, in addition to informative and educational articles we strive to provide. In the last issue, we told you about many of the laws that have been enacted recently and efforts being made around the globe that positively impact domestic animals and wildlife. The actions and outcomes range from the subtle to the dramatic, but all of them go to show how people’s attitudes and perceptions are shifting for the better.
This edition of the magazine is no different; only the story you’re reading now centers on movers and shakers in animal welfare much closer to home. It’s a testament to how a person’s caring and enthusiasm can bring about great change, like a groundswell rising up to become a tsunami. In this case, it helped to have a radio show to use as a platform from which to build an audience—even if that wasn’t initially the intention.
We’re referring to nationally syndicated radio personality Johnjay Van Es, whose foray into animal welfare may have grown organically through his good intentions, but supercharged once the animal welfare bug truly bit him. Of course, like most people who care deeply about helping the most vulnerable among us, he grew up with pets—lots of them—as did his wife and animal-rescue partner in crime, Blake.
Their journey into the rescue scene started in 2007 when Johnjay tried to find a home for an abandoned Chihuahua he’d posted about on Instagram. The next day, on his popular Phoenix radio show, Johnjay and Rich at 93.7 KRQ/104.7 KISS FM, he discussed the experience and the fact that he’d been successful in finding the animal a home. Everything sort of just snowballed from there, with listeners calling in saying they’d found a stray dog or that they were moving and couldn’t take their pet with them, so he started to try to find homes for them.
According to the couple, at one point, they had up to 36 dogs in their home. While his radio and social media efforts eventually drew criticism from animal rescuers who were miffed with his approach to rehoming, regardless of his enthusiasm, intent, and notable results, those efforts ultimately led to much greater things. As it turns out, the dynamic duo are tireless activists with the energy and focus of 10 people.
This is no exaggeration. It’s mind boggling when you hear the litany of accomplishments attributed to them. They are literally all over the place when it comes to good deeds. For starters, they founded the #LovePup Foundation in 2014, a rescue resource, which has adopted out more than 1,000 dogs into loving homes since its inception.
One of the coolest features—besides the ability to adopt—is that the public can also volunteer to foster dogs there. This is so crucial to many a shelter or rescue dog’s emotional well-being. Otherwise, they can end up with kennel stress, a debilitating physical and emotional state of anxiety driven by sensory overload that many dogs experience when introduced to large, noisy environments. It can lead to uncontrollable shaking, hair loss, withdrawal, and other negative outcomes.
Then there’s the A Dog is Forever initiative driven by Blake and Johnjay, who have five dogs of their own. Its purpose is to keep pets at home with their owners. The #LovePup Foundation assists families in Tucson and the Greater Phoenix area who may be considering surrendering their pets by providing them with financial support, medical expense assistance, and other vital resources.
In 2021, the Van Es family saw a dream of theirs come to fruition with the opening of a shelter in Scottsdale featuring 14 kennels and plenty of space, indoors and out. The canines there receive medical care, as well as vaccinations, microchips, spay/neuter services, and, of course, endless love and affection. And it isn’t just Johnjay and Blake that dole out the love. Their three boys have grown to be just as smitten and dedicated to the cause as their parents.
When asked where they’d like to see the foundation going or accomplishing in the future, Johnjay said he’d like to see a #LovePup shelter in Tucson where, he noted, they’re working on something with The Center of Opportunity alongside Bert Lopez. The center assists the homeless in getting back on their feet. Passionate about helping, Johnjay would like to see a #LovePup shelter at every homeless center.
Expanding on the #LovePup concept, they came up with the idea for the #LovePup Family Fest, a free adoption event that helps raise funds, pet supplies, and awareness for rescue dogs. The large-scale events include live music, food trucks, pet-focused vendors, and, of course, adoptable dogs from local shelters and rescues.
Originally held in Phoenix and then Tucson, word got out across the country, and before they knew it, people were reaching out from cities across America inquiring about holding their own event. To date, they’ve been held in places like Dallas, Colorado Springs, and Portland, with other cities possibly in the works.
Then there’s also the Phoenix-based Johnjay and Rich #LoveUp Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity created by Johnjay and his radio/podcast partner Rich Berra in 2017. Originally founded as the Johnjay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation, the charitable organization focuses on improving the lives of children in foster care.
Johnjay explained that it began as a kind of “Make-a-Wish-Foundation-type thing” where they granted wishes at Christmas with parties that included gifts for children who might otherwise go without during the holidays. It ended up melding with #LovePup and working with various rescues, and before you know it, they were able to get sponsors to help them grow.
There are five programs within the foundation. The first is #LoveUp Moments. Motivated by #LoveUp’s mission of spreading love and kindness while inspiring others to do the same, the foundation grants #LoveUp Moments to unsuspecting members of the community, such as helping a sick child experience the dream of becoming a zookeeper for a day or granting new uniforms for an underprivileged high school cheer team.
Foster Care Events is another. Each year, they create memorable experiences for kids living in foster care. #LoveUp also works closely with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (ADCS) to support special events for foster children, with a focus on helping kids nearing age 18 who will soon be aging out of the system.
Laptops for Foster Children began in 2018 when they teamed up with the ADCS for the first-ever pilot program of F.A.C.T.—Fostering Achievement Through Computer Technology. The #LoveUp Foundation reportedly purchased 100 Chromebooks for foster children graduating from the 8th grade to help narrow educational achievement gaps.
The Children’s Heart Gallery, where the #LoveUp Foundation created a large mobile photographic exhibit displayed around the state, provides six days each year for foster children to attend a Heart Gallery event where they receive haircuts, new clothes, and a professional photography session for their inclusion in the Heart Gallery.
Christmas Wish—for more than 16 years, Johnjay and Rich have been granting Christmas wishes to children and their families in need. Nominated by friends and family, recipients receive gifts and support. loveupfoundation.org
More recently, Blake, along with Johnjay’s sister, Elvia, has created an app for pet owners known as LovePup+. It’s billed as “Your 24/7 Pup Parenting Partner” on the home page. The inspiration for Lovepup+ came from Blake being texted at all hours of the day for dog-related advice ranging from “Should I get another dog?” to “My dog swallowed a sock, what do I do?” With nearly 20 years of hands-on experience dealing with rescues and all the minor and major maladies that come with them, all dog parents can now benefit from this information.
The site introduces users to the 3-3-3 concept, a framework that covers the first three days, three weeks, and three months with your new pet, as far as what to expect and how to support your fur baby as it adjusts. Upcoming content will include sleep and crate training, walking tips, and other useful information. “Ginger” provides answers via AI. It will also include a blog, tested and approved products, plus entertainment material. The free app should be available to the public in early July of this year. lovepupplus.com
When asked what message they’d like to share with the public, Johnjay immediately said, “Be kind to animals and treat them like family so they stay out of shelters.”
We also asked what they’d like to see happen concerning animal welfare and adoption in the state and beyond. There was little hesitation. “I guess I’d like to see tougher laws on animal abuse, as well as laws on the way people treat their own pets regarding neglect, Johnjay added. “It’s a real problem that isn’t often addressed but needs to be.”
To learn more about their work and the various programs they’re behind or ways to get involved, visit lovepupfoundation.org.
