Subject: Reinstate Fired SJACS Volunteer Leaders. Protect Lifesaving Advocacy.

Dear [[Recipient's Title and Name]]:

As a San Jose resident and constituent, I am writing to express concern regarding the recent termination of senior shelter volunteer leaders Chris Chiappari and Amie Jan, as well as the broader policy changes reflected in the April 2026 Volunteer Agreement and Volunteer Handbook.

These volunteers are not newcomers. They represent years of service, training, and institutional knowledge dedicated to helping shelter animals and supporting shelter operations. Their contributions reportedly included dog handling, volunteer training, playgroups, enrichment, behavioral observations, rescue networking, and adoption promotion.

Volunteers like these are a valuable public resource. They donate thousands of hours of labor at no cost to taxpayers while helping improve outcomes for animals that would otherwise spend nearly all of their time confined to kennels.

The reported reason for these terminations raises additional concerns. For years, volunteers helped photograph and film dogs, particularly those facing euthanasia, so that rescues, foster homes, and adopters could learn about them. Many rescue organizations have stated publicly that these volunteer-created videos were often the primary way they became aware of urgent animals.

This is especially important because San Jose Animal Care & Services does not appear to maintain a broad public notification system for animals facing euthanasia. Unlike some shelters that routinely distribute urgent-placement alerts to rescue organizations, many San Jose rescue placements have historically relied upon volunteer networking.

For foster-based rescue organizations, videos are not simply marketing tools. They provide critical behavioral information. A dog interacting with people, volunteers, other dogs, toys, or outdoor environments provides far more useful placement information than a kennel photograph or a brief written description. Without this information, rescues are forced to make decisions with limited visibility into a dog's actual behavior and needs.

The result is straightforward: fewer videos mean fewer rescue opportunities, fewer foster placements, and fewer lifesaving outcomes.

I am also concerned that the new Volunteer Agreement grants broad authority to terminate volunteers while simultaneously restricting photography, recording, communication with rescue organizations, and communication with the media.

While operational policies are necessary in any organization, policies that reduce transparency and discourage volunteer engagement can have unintended consequences. Public confidence depends upon openness, accountability, and constructive dialogue--not restrictions that may discourage communication about shelter operations and animal welfare concerns.

These developments are occurring during a period of significant community concern regarding animal welfare issues in San Jose.

Residents, rescuers, and volunteers have repeatedly raised questions regarding:

 - Reduced public spay/neuter services

 - Increasingly restricted shelter intake

 - Long shelter stays

 - Animal overpopulation

 - Transparency and reporting practices

 - Euthanasia decision-making

 - Lack of a formal Community Advisory Commission

Many of these concerns remain unresolved.

Particularly troubling is the absence of meaningful public oversight mechanisms. More than a year ago, community members were informed that a Community Advisory Commission would be considered. To date, no such commission exists.

Occasional public meetings are not a substitute for an ongoing advisory body that allows stakeholders to review information, provide input, and participate in problem-solving.

As taxpayers and community members, we should be encouraging collaboration between shelter leadership, volunteers, rescue organizations, veterinarians, and the public. Removing experienced volunteers while limiting visibility of at-risk animals moves in the opposite direction.

I respectfully request that the City of San Jose and SJACS:

 - Reinstate Chris Chiappari and Amie Jan.

 - Review and revise volunteer policies that unnecessarily restrict lifesaving networking efforts.

 - Restore volunteer participation as a valued component of shelter operations.

 - Establish a Community Advisory Commission with meaningful stakeholder representation. 

 - Increase transparency regarding shelter operations, animal outcomes, and policy changes.

 - Strengthen partnerships with rescue organizations and volunteers rather than limiting them.

The animals housed at SJACS depend upon cooperation between staff, volunteers, rescues, and the public. The community should not lose dedicated volunteers who have spent years helping save lives.

Transparency builds trust.

Collaboration saves lives.

I respectfully urge City leadership to reconsider these actions and work with the community toward constructive solutions.

Sincerely,

[ Your Full Name ]