Jamye Rogers
Jamye was born on New Years Day, 1957, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jamye said the spelling of her name is because the nurse spelled her intended name wrong. Her mother figured the nurse must have had a hang over when she filled out the birth certificate. She lived in West Virginia and Ohio before moving to Yorba Linda in 1970.
Jamye was always interested in animals so when she attended Valencia High School she enrolled in the FFA program. She raised goats and sheep and was voted the high school’s mascot.
While still in school she went to work for Ralph’s as a box girl and ended up working for Ralphs until 1985.
She went to Cal State Fullerton and was majoring in Communications until her senior year. While talking to a counselor about future goals she told the counselor that she had an interest in working with animals. That conversation ended up changing her future. She dropped out of school and started pursuing a future in animal care. Her first job in pursuing her new career goal was with the Yorba Linda Animal Kennel. She learned how to run a Kennel and train dogs.
She continued working at Ralph’s as a cashier; a job that would again cause her to continue working with animals: One night while she was talking to a customer she saw a person that she recognized and noticed that that person was wearing an OC Animal Control Uniform. Upon chatting with her friend, she learned about the job and it sounded interesting. Jamye applied and was soon hired as an animal control officer. She also spent time working at the Santa Ana Zoo as a volunteer, so she could gain some wild life experience.
In 1990 Jamye heard that Newport was testing for an Animal Control Officer’s position so she applied. Jim Jacobs was the Captain who hired her.
During most of this time she was living with her brother who was a Placentia police officer. The neighbors never believed her when she told them he was her brother.
During her time working with the PD she was the go to person between the PD and the shelter. In 1994 a Newport Citizen complained to the city about the conditions at the shelter, it was small and cramped. The cable company wanted to do an article about
Interviewed by Stan Bressler
the shelter so she was sent to show them around. They decided they wanted to do a half hour show on a monthly basis. Marilee, the first co host, and Jamye started filling in some of the time with adoption of animals. They called the show Pick a Pet. Over the last 15 years she has had several co-hosts. Jamye is proud of the fact that the Pick a Pet program made Dog Catchers more respected and they became known as Animal Control Officers instead of Dog Catchers. The program was also responsible for more people adopting older pets instead of having them put to sleep.
Since Jamye’s retirement she continues her 10 year training business. She trains dogs for behavior and obedience. Many of the city employees can thank Jamye for making their dogs better pets.
Jamye trains and shows her Bernese Mountain Dog. The breed is from Switzerland and they weigh in the 100 lb range. These dogs are used to pull carts and also to herd cattle. Hegrid is an award winning champion and holds 7 working titles and the “Distinction of Versatility Dog.”
Jamye can be seen at various dog shows on week ends. Jamye is married to Bill and they have two grown daughters.
Interviewed by Stan Bressler