Demand Increased Transparency and Improved Services from San Martin, CA Animal Shelter
Demand Increased Transparency and Improved Services from San Martin, CA Animal Shelter
The Issue
Only residents of Santa Clara County can qualify to sign this petition.
On Fri, Feb 12, 2026, 3:09 PM Winston Li <gilroycats2015@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ms. Lisa Jenkins,
Please provide me the data for the followings in Excel, pdf, or Word format under California Public Records Act (CPRA):
Last 5 years records.
Why are any animals being euthanize after 1 month of non adoption?
What is the current capacity and utilization for each category ( Cats, Dogs, Bunnies, Guinea pigs, Chickens, Ducks, Sheep, Horses, etc. )?
Annual budget.
Annual adoption, euthanize, and others in details for each of the above categories.
Thank you,
On Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 11:24 AM Petroni, Brenda brenda.petroni@cep.sccgov.org wrote:
Hello, Winston Li.
Thank you for your request.
I am writing in response to your February 11, 2026 email request asking:
Why are any animals being euthanize after 1 month of non adoption?
What is the current capacity and utilization for each category ( Cats, Dogs, Bunnies, Guinea pigs, Chickens, Ducks, Sheep, Horses, etc. )?
The County has conducted a search of its records and determined that we do not have any records responsive to this request.
This request is now closed.
Thank you.
Brenda Petroni
Administrative Support Officer
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive – San Jose, CA. 95112
Cell: (669) 321-9673 EM: brenda.petroni@cep.sccgov.org
I received the shocking reply. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. How can the shelter has no information on such simple request.
The shelter is going to euthanize a dog up for adoption in 13 days period. 32 dogs available for adoptions out of 52 lost dogs.
I found the below thru my Perplexity pro paid AI subscription:
Capacity: Dogs: 54. Cats: 90
Dashi got adopted :) https://www.werescue.pet/pet/23221/3c30d7a2-01ae-5de2-bf27-9620987aa5fa/dog/dashi/ca/san-martin/#:~:text=DASHI%20Shelter%20Info-,About%20DASHI,your%20new%20family%20member%20home https://nextdoor.com/p/MNjxxJ6ycbq8?utm_source=share&extras=MTAyODcwMDQ%3D&utm_campaign=1772751406826&share_action_id=371a3965-88c6-49c9-9d3f-2638ba17570c Dashi Adoption Status: Listed as available for adoption as of February 23, 2026. The shelter will not provide capacity and utilization for cats, dogs, and other animals. UNACCEPTABLE. Demand Increased Transparency and Improved Services from San Martin, CA Animal Shelter. https://c.org/TwLNw5SSST I requested the annual budget about 5 years ago. The shelter got $2.7 million of our taxpayers' money. SADLY, $2 million ( 75% ) are for salaries and benefits. Only $ 700,000 ( 25% ) are for the animals...
I have been closely observing the performance of our local county shelter for almost a decade now, and I am saddened to say that there has been a continuous decline in animal services, including general care and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts. It’s not just about the inadequacy in service but also about the notable lack of transparency. We, the public, have the right to know under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). We are asking the county shelter to publicly post detailed information such as each employee’s salary and benefits, the annual budget, animal shelter capacity along with the utilization breakdown for dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, horses, etc., and monthly animal statistics including intake, TNR, releases, adoptions, transfers, euthanize and etc. In addition, each row should also has a percentage of the total in the next column for ANY data publish. This way it will be easier to compare each row. You website should include a downloable tablet either in Microsoft Excel or Adobe pdf format with 3 to 5 years EASY comparable format between each year. This accountability will allow us to understand better how our tax dollars are being utilized and ensure better care for our community’s animals.
I requested the annual budget about 5 years ago. The shelter got $2.7 million of our taxpayers money. SADLY, $2 million ( 75% ) are for salaries and benefits. Only $ 700,000 ( 25% ) are for the animals 😢
The state of the art new shelter opened on February 19, 2021, after an 18-month construction period, costing $35 million. Even with this new shelter, quality of the service HAS continued to go down hill.
The decline has been particularly prevalent under the watch of Supervisor Lisa Jenkins, who has led the shelter for over 10 years and 7 months. For the shelter’s improvement, a change of leadership is strongly urged. Additionally, we propose all shelter employees should wear name tags indicating their first and last names, their title, and their years of service to enhance accountability.
It will require the shelter to install video cameras with audio to be post 24/7 feeds on the website in the public lobby, holding, recovering, and housing areas.
By standing together, we can guarantee our beloved animals are given competent care, ensure our tax funds are utilized responsibly, and restore trust in our local animal shelter. Please, join me in this call for greater transparency and accountability from our county shelter. Sign this petition today.
https://gilroydispatch.com/jenkins-settles-in-as-supervisor-at-shelter/
Lisa Jenkins’ salary and benefits 2015 vs 2023
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2015/santa-clara-county/lisa-jenkins/
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2023/santa-clara-county/lisa-e-jenkins/
Ittps:/transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/zu15/santa-clara-countyllsa-jenkins/
July Y 2014 Regular pay: S72,787.75
Overtime pay: So.00 Other pay: $448.27
Total pay: S73,236.02
Benefits: $34,656.82 47.32% Grand Total $107,892.84 147.32% benefits is equivalent to 47.32% of her Total Pay
Her
2023 Regular pay: $153,378.16 Overtime pay: S0.00 Other pay: S0.00
Total pay: $153,378.16
Benefits: $64,284.09 41.91%. Grand Total $217.662.25 141.91% Her benefits is equivalent to 41.9402 of her Total Pay
Average increased per year 2014 -> 2023 Regular pay: $80,590.41 $8,954.49 12.30% years Overtime pay: so.00 S0.00 Other pay: ($448.27) $49.81) -11.11% Total pay: $80,142.14 $8,904.68 12.16% Benefits: $29,627.27 36.97% $3,291.92 9.50%
Grand Total $109,769.41 136.97% $12,196.60 11.30% lHer benefits is equivalent to 36.97% of her Total Pay
In 9 years her total compensation rose from $107,892.84 to $217,662.25. An increase of $109,769.41. More than doubled, or 102% increase 🤔
Commentary
California doesn’t need DOGE, but there’s plenty of wasteful spending and bureaucracy to cut
March 12, 2025
By Zac Townsend
https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/doge-efficiency-california-government-waste/
By standing together, we can guarantee our beloved animals are given competent care, ensure our tax funds are utilized responsibly, and restore trust in our local animal shelter. Please, join me in this call for greater transparency and accountability from our county shelter. Sign this petition today.
This petition will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors to initiate the removal of Lisa Jenkins.
There is another big problem in the government’s sector. It’s very hard to fire someone even due to low performance and incompetency due to the Union.
We should have more control over our public servants.
How do we change it? Like The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
We should also require all public shelters to install 24/7 live feed cameras with audio and videos in the lobby, playarea, and housing area.
We the People, let’s take back the Animal shelter!!! These poor animals deserve better life and treatments.
Sincerely yours,
Winston Li
My Facebook profile:
https://www.facebook.com/winston.li.5623
San Jose Animal Shelter already has a lawsuit.
https://share.google/aimode/u4YA5aigiMGUoFJ4E
The Hayden Act (SB 1785), enacted in 1998, established the legal standard that "no adoptable or treatable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home". It shifted the role of California shelters from "catch-and-kill" to prioritizing life-saving outcomes through the following core requirements
https://share.google/aimode/dfuOcikoHV41Noyrc
San Martin Animal Shelter is also violating the Hayden Act.
184
The Issue
Only residents of Santa Clara County can qualify to sign this petition.
On Fri, Feb 12, 2026, 3:09 PM Winston Li <gilroycats2015@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ms. Lisa Jenkins,
Please provide me the data for the followings in Excel, pdf, or Word format under California Public Records Act (CPRA):
Last 5 years records.
Why are any animals being euthanize after 1 month of non adoption?
What is the current capacity and utilization for each category ( Cats, Dogs, Bunnies, Guinea pigs, Chickens, Ducks, Sheep, Horses, etc. )?
Annual budget.
Annual adoption, euthanize, and others in details for each of the above categories.
Thank you,
On Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 11:24 AM Petroni, Brenda brenda.petroni@cep.sccgov.org wrote:
Hello, Winston Li.
Thank you for your request.
I am writing in response to your February 11, 2026 email request asking:
Why are any animals being euthanize after 1 month of non adoption?
What is the current capacity and utilization for each category ( Cats, Dogs, Bunnies, Guinea pigs, Chickens, Ducks, Sheep, Horses, etc. )?
The County has conducted a search of its records and determined that we do not have any records responsive to this request.
This request is now closed.
Thank you.
Brenda Petroni
Administrative Support Officer
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive – San Jose, CA. 95112
Cell: (669) 321-9673 EM: brenda.petroni@cep.sccgov.org
I received the shocking reply. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. How can the shelter has no information on such simple request.
The shelter is going to euthanize a dog up for adoption in 13 days period. 32 dogs available for adoptions out of 52 lost dogs.
I found the below thru my Perplexity pro paid AI subscription:
Capacity: Dogs: 54. Cats: 90
Dashi got adopted :) https://www.werescue.pet/pet/23221/3c30d7a2-01ae-5de2-bf27-9620987aa5fa/dog/dashi/ca/san-martin/#:~:text=DASHI%20Shelter%20Info-,About%20DASHI,your%20new%20family%20member%20home https://nextdoor.com/p/MNjxxJ6ycbq8?utm_source=share&extras=MTAyODcwMDQ%3D&utm_campaign=1772751406826&share_action_id=371a3965-88c6-49c9-9d3f-2638ba17570c Dashi Adoption Status: Listed as available for adoption as of February 23, 2026. The shelter will not provide capacity and utilization for cats, dogs, and other animals. UNACCEPTABLE. Demand Increased Transparency and Improved Services from San Martin, CA Animal Shelter. https://c.org/TwLNw5SSST I requested the annual budget about 5 years ago. The shelter got $2.7 million of our taxpayers' money. SADLY, $2 million ( 75% ) are for salaries and benefits. Only $ 700,000 ( 25% ) are for the animals...
I have been closely observing the performance of our local county shelter for almost a decade now, and I am saddened to say that there has been a continuous decline in animal services, including general care and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts. It’s not just about the inadequacy in service but also about the notable lack of transparency. We, the public, have the right to know under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). We are asking the county shelter to publicly post detailed information such as each employee’s salary and benefits, the annual budget, animal shelter capacity along with the utilization breakdown for dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, horses, etc., and monthly animal statistics including intake, TNR, releases, adoptions, transfers, euthanize and etc. In addition, each row should also has a percentage of the total in the next column for ANY data publish. This way it will be easier to compare each row. You website should include a downloable tablet either in Microsoft Excel or Adobe pdf format with 3 to 5 years EASY comparable format between each year. This accountability will allow us to understand better how our tax dollars are being utilized and ensure better care for our community’s animals.
I requested the annual budget about 5 years ago. The shelter got $2.7 million of our taxpayers money. SADLY, $2 million ( 75% ) are for salaries and benefits. Only $ 700,000 ( 25% ) are for the animals 😢
The state of the art new shelter opened on February 19, 2021, after an 18-month construction period, costing $35 million. Even with this new shelter, quality of the service HAS continued to go down hill.
The decline has been particularly prevalent under the watch of Supervisor Lisa Jenkins, who has led the shelter for over 10 years and 7 months. For the shelter’s improvement, a change of leadership is strongly urged. Additionally, we propose all shelter employees should wear name tags indicating their first and last names, their title, and their years of service to enhance accountability.
It will require the shelter to install video cameras with audio to be post 24/7 feeds on the website in the public lobby, holding, recovering, and housing areas.
By standing together, we can guarantee our beloved animals are given competent care, ensure our tax funds are utilized responsibly, and restore trust in our local animal shelter. Please, join me in this call for greater transparency and accountability from our county shelter. Sign this petition today.
https://gilroydispatch.com/jenkins-settles-in-as-supervisor-at-shelter/
Lisa Jenkins’ salary and benefits 2015 vs 2023
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2015/santa-clara-county/lisa-jenkins/
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2023/santa-clara-county/lisa-e-jenkins/
Ittps:/transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/zu15/santa-clara-countyllsa-jenkins/
July Y 2014 Regular pay: S72,787.75
Overtime pay: So.00 Other pay: $448.27
Total pay: S73,236.02
Benefits: $34,656.82 47.32% Grand Total $107,892.84 147.32% benefits is equivalent to 47.32% of her Total Pay
Her
2023 Regular pay: $153,378.16 Overtime pay: S0.00 Other pay: S0.00
Total pay: $153,378.16
Benefits: $64,284.09 41.91%. Grand Total $217.662.25 141.91% Her benefits is equivalent to 41.9402 of her Total Pay
Average increased per year 2014 -> 2023 Regular pay: $80,590.41 $8,954.49 12.30% years Overtime pay: so.00 S0.00 Other pay: ($448.27) $49.81) -11.11% Total pay: $80,142.14 $8,904.68 12.16% Benefits: $29,627.27 36.97% $3,291.92 9.50%
Grand Total $109,769.41 136.97% $12,196.60 11.30% lHer benefits is equivalent to 36.97% of her Total Pay
In 9 years her total compensation rose from $107,892.84 to $217,662.25. An increase of $109,769.41. More than doubled, or 102% increase 🤔
Commentary
California doesn’t need DOGE, but there’s plenty of wasteful spending and bureaucracy to cut
March 12, 2025
By Zac Townsend
https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/doge-efficiency-california-government-waste/
By standing together, we can guarantee our beloved animals are given competent care, ensure our tax funds are utilized responsibly, and restore trust in our local animal shelter. Please, join me in this call for greater transparency and accountability from our county shelter. Sign this petition today.
This petition will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors to initiate the removal of Lisa Jenkins.
There is another big problem in the government’s sector. It’s very hard to fire someone even due to low performance and incompetency due to the Union.
We should have more control over our public servants.
How do we change it? Like The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
We should also require all public shelters to install 24/7 live feed cameras with audio and videos in the lobby, playarea, and housing area.
We the People, let’s take back the Animal shelter!!! These poor animals deserve better life and treatments.
Sincerely yours,
Winston Li
My Facebook profile:
https://www.facebook.com/winston.li.5623
San Jose Animal Shelter already has a lawsuit.
https://share.google/aimode/u4YA5aigiMGUoFJ4E
The Hayden Act (SB 1785), enacted in 1998, established the legal standard that "no adoptable or treatable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home". It shifted the role of California shelters from "catch-and-kill" to prioritizing life-saving outcomes through the following core requirements
https://share.google/aimode/dfuOcikoHV41Noyrc
San Martin Animal Shelter is also violating the Hayden Act.
184
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Petition created on February 24, 2026