Jennifer Van Ness worked at San Bernardino City Shelter for 16 years, endured several ups and downs with an at times harsh and inhumane management team and was the one positive force who truly cared for the animals' well-being and worked professionally and diligently with the rescue community to save hundreds of animals as the rescue coordinator.
Recently, Jennifer was placed on administrative leave pending an upcoming court date on June 10, 2016, for a situation outside of work, during which she protected her senior deaf, blind dog.
Those of us who have worked with Jennifer Van Ness throughout the years know her character - she is passionate, kind, professional, and an asset to the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter and the San Bernardino area rescue community. Her absence at the shelter is palpable - the open line of communication between the shelter and the rescue community has been drastically affected by her leave. A new and better shelter management team is struggling to maintain Jennifer's duties as well as their own, and the animals suffer due to her absence. The shelter team is struggling to respond (and often just cannot) to animal inquiries, rescue commitments, rescue offers to cover needed vetting for sick and injured animals, and more; the animals impounded at SBC suffer as a result.
Please sign to attest to Jennifer Van Ness' excellent character, values, professionalism, and the importance of her work at San Bernardino City Animal Shelter. The shelter needs her reappointed - now.
