Reinstate Kimberly Mullins as KCAC Director

On Friday, May 20, Kimberly Mullins was fired from the Kern County Animal Control (KCAC) Special Projects Manager position for reasons that remain confidential.  Based on information from articles in The Bakersfield Californian and others, we feel this action was unjustified and detrimental to the welfare of the animals of Kern County.

Since Ms. Mullins has taken over the position in November of 2010, a new and changing atmosphere has pervaded at KCAC, not only for the animals brought in, but also for the employees.  Her enthusiasm for a job that can at times be overwhelming, has been welcomed by all who have worked over the last number of years to see changes made at KCAC.

The following are some of the changes instituted by Ms. Mullins since her hiring:
    1 - Increased access to rescue groups, thus allowing more animals to be given a chance at a forever home.
     2 - Worked to extend shelter hours to allow more access by people to search for missing or adoptable pets.
     3 - Been available to media in promoting positive changes occurring at the shelter, along with promoting shelter events.
     4 - Attended fundraising events to meet member of the public, increasing the public profile of the shelter and its employees.
      5 - Worked to create a horse foster program to assist in caring for neglected and abandoned horses.
     6 - Created, together with the Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation,  the Lacey Fund to provide proper care for abused, sick or injured animals that come into the custody of the shelter that would otherwise be euthanized.
     7 - Made necessary repairs to the offices of KCAC.
     8 - Repaired kennels and added cages, and created a larger, quieter cat room.

We ask that letters, e-mails, attendance at Board of Supervisor meetings be undertaken in an effort to reinstate Ms. Mullins as the Special Projects Manager and/or Director of Kern County Animal Control.

We would also request that the Board of Supervisors make KCAC an independent county agency reporting directly to the Board.  Justice4Paws feels this is the most effective way to ensure the welfare of animals within the jurisdiction of Animal Control throughout Kern County.  This action has also been recommended by former Kern County Supervisor Don Maben's Partnership for Animals LIMO Committee, TREAT and Citygate.

Anyone living in Kern County is requested to please send letters and /or e-mail comments to the Board of Supervisors:

1115 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Ffoor
Bakersfield, CA  93301

District 1 - Jon McQuiston - district1@co.kern.ca.us
District 2 - Zack Scrivner - district2@co.kern.ca.us
District 3 - Mike Maggard - district3@co.kern.ca.us
District 4 - Ray Watson - district4@co.kern.ca.us
District 5 - Karen Goh - district5@co.kern.ca.us

Also please consider sending a letter to the editor of The Bakersfield Californian at the following:  opinion@bakersfield.com