Jen’s lifelong connection to animals began in Puerto Rico where she spent much of her childhood. She began cultivating relationships with the animals living on school property, spending more time in the enclosures with pigs and goats than in the classroom. Over time, animals became an integral part of her life and just as important as her human relationships. When Jen read Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation for a high school paper, she was grateful to learn that she was not alone in her beliefs that animals have inherent value. She realized that her life’s work would involve advocating for the rights of animals.
Jen graduated from St. Louis University, and went on to get a master’s degree in social work from Washington University. While working in the mental health field in MO, she volunteered at several animal rescue organizations, including shelters for dogs, wild animals, and farm animals. Jen landed in Portland four years ago, and began volunteer work at Rose Haven (a day shelter for women and gender-diverse individuals) and her local park. She spent the last two years campaigning for IP28, a state ballot initiative aimed at banning the killing of animals in Oregon. While the measure did not make it to the ballot this year, it has certainly brought visibility to the topic of animal rights, and discussion about our responsibilities as humans to our animal counterparts.
Jen’s hope is to continue doing advocacy work in order to alleviate animal suffering. With the help of her animal law education, two of her goals include working on legislation to eliminate industrial animal agriculture and animal testing in the state of Oregon.