Boca Raton Woman Advertised Dog Bording On “Rover.” Now Facing Animal Cruelty Charges.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton woman who claims she didn’t know that she needed a permit to “board” dogs — and that the app “Rover” never told her — is now facing a criminal animal cruelty charge. Jennifer Meeks of SW 62nd Avenue in Boca Raton was taken into custody on February 11th. She was released later that day on $5,000 bond.
According to a report filed by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Contro and obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, Meeks advertised her “boarding” services on the Rover platform. Despite what she called multiple “positive” reviews, Meeks allegedly did not remove a prong collar from a Belgium Malanois that was left with her — despite instructions from the owner to do so. The animal was retrieved weeks later with severe puncture wounds on his neck.
From the police report: “(the owner of the dog) provided me with a prong collar that belonged to Abel (the dog). The owner stated that he had instructed Ms. Meeks that this collar was only to be used for walks and should not remain on the dog. The owner expressed his belief that Abel was tethered while still wearing the prong collar. He explained that Abel does not like to be tethered, and he suspects the dog may have injured himself while attempting to break free.”
When interviewing Ms. Meeks, the investigator documented this: “I asked what happened with Abel. She stated that the owner dropped Abel and a second dog off about two weeks ago. She stated that she did not know about the prong collar but there was a second collar, which she removed. She did admit the owner telling her about the prong collar, but she did not see it. She states that (the owner) asked her to take the prong collar off and she does not know why he did not remove the collar himself. Ms. Meeks stated that two weeks later she noticed the dog’s neck was swollen. There was a bad smell coming from the dog’s neck area. She contacted the owner and asked if he wanted her to take the dog to the vet. The prong collar (was) embedded in the dog’s neck.” A veterinarian determined that Abel was suffering from a severe infection and initiated care.
Also from the report: “the defendant Jennifer Meeks advertises on Rover, a pet sitting company that allows people to post for pet sitting jobs…two weeks passed and Ms. Meeks finally noticed that Abel had the prong collar around his neck. Abel suffered deep wounds and trauma due to Ms. Meeks’ negligence. Any reasonable person would have given the dog some attention and would have felt the collar. Based on the above facts, probable cause exits to charge Jennifer Meeks with animal cruelty.”
Sign up for the BocaNewsNow.com nightly newsletter and breaking news email alerts. Completely free. Unsubscribe at any time.
Follow us on Google News
We also note this key part of the arrest report which should serve as a warning to anyone else using “rover” in Palm Beach County: “I informed her that she would probably receive a visit form our licensing and enforcement department because she is boarding without a permit. She asked me why Rover did not tell her and I informed her that it was individual’s responsibility to know the law.” Ms. Meeks was arrested and later released. A court date is pending.
