We are a rescue and sanctuary; our focus is elderly, disabled and hospice animals. Box 1009, Covelo, CA 95428 We rely on donations to sustain our rescue.
02/14/2025
IMPORTANT:
If you've ever sent donations by U.S. Mail to Dogwood Animal Rescue in Sonoma County, check to see who deposited those checks. Go back a few years.
This article explains why you need to assure that your donation was deposted in the Dogwood Animal Rescue's bank account!!
Santa Rosa woman arrested for stealing and depositing thousands of dollars in donation checks intended for Dogwood Animal Rescue. Fully automatic rifle and silencer recovered during search warrant service.
On February 11, 2025, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) began an investigation into a large-scale theft of donations intended for the nonprofit Dogwood Animal Rescue organization. Dogwood Animal Rescue in Sonoma County is a dedicated, volunteer-driven nonprofit that focuses on rescuing and rehoming animals in need. Their mission includes providing medical care, promoting spay/neuter programs, and offering ongoing support to ensure that animals find loving homes. Through their foster-based system, Dogwood gives homeless dogs and cats a chance to heal, thrive, and be adopted into permanent families. They also emphasize education and awareness, aiming to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the lives of animals in the region. With over 200 volunteers and a commitment to community engagement, Dogwood is a vital part of Sonoma County’s animal welfare efforts.
Executives with the nonprofit had recently been contacted by two separate donors inquiring about donation receipts for checks they mailed to the organization’s mailbox at the UPS Store located at 1415 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. When it was learned the nonprofit had never received the checks, they asked their donors to check their bank statements. In both cases, the donation checks had been deposited into the account of a person not employed by or known to Dogwood Animal Rescue. The executives believed the checks had been stolen from their mailbox and quickly learned the person suspected of depositing the stolen donation checks worked at the mailbox facility.
On February 12, 2025, detectives with the SRPD Property Crimes Investigations (PCI) began investigating this case further. They were able to confirm that the suspect in this case, Jennifer Chenier, a 36-year-old Santa Rosa resident, was employed at the UPS Store and would have access to the mailbox rented by Dogwood Animal Rescue. As their investigation continued, they developed probable cause to arrest Chenier for a variety of crimes associated with the theft of donation checks. Shortly before 3:00 pm on February 12th, Chenier was arrested by plainclothes SRPD PCI detectives at her place of work.
Detectives worked quickly to author search warrants for Chenier and her property, residence, and vehicle. To prevent the destruction of evidence, Chenier’s purse and her residence in the 2200 block of Dancing Penny Way, were secured by SRPD officers until the search warrants could be reviewed by a Superior Court Judge. Shortly before 7:00 pm, the SRPD PCI Team served the search warrants.
In Chenier’s purse, detectives located just under $7,000 in cash and six checks payable to Dogwood Animal Rescue. In Chenier’s residence, detectives located an additional 24 checks payable to the nonprofit organization. The donations from the 30 recovered checks totaled over $18,000.
Evidence of mail from other rented mailboxes at the UPS Store where Chenier was employed was also located.
Additionally, Chenier is a certified notary public. Her notary book was seized as evidence pursuant to the search warrant. Further investigation is required to determine if anyone Chenier provided notary services to has been a victim of financial crime.
It is unknown at this time how long Chenier had been stealing checks from Dogwood Animal Rescue, or how many other mailbox customers may have also been victimized. If you rent a mailbox from this location or have sent financial documents such as checks to a mailbox at this location, you are encouraged to check your financial records for suspicious or fraudulent activity.
Chenier was booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following charges:
487(a) PC – Grand theft, felony
470(a) PC – Felony forgery
530.5(a) PC – Felony identity theft
459 PC – Felony commercial burglary
530.5(c)(3) PC – Felony possession of personal identification information for 10 or more individuals with the intent to defraud
On February 13, 2025, PCI detectives learned of additional evidence possibly hidden at the Dancing Penny residence that was not located during the service of the original search warrant. An addendum to the original search warrant was authored and approved by a Superior Court Judge. At approximately 1:00 pm PCI detectives returned to the residence and conducted a follow-up search. They located a locked red suitcase and discovered a short-barreled C**t M4 fully automatic military assault rifle and silencer. The firearm had no serial number, and the rifle was imprinted on the side, “Military and Law Enforcement Use Only.” In addition to this assault rifle being illegal to possess, detectives learned Chenier is a narcotics addict and therefore prohibited from possessing any fi****ms.
PCI detectives responded to the Sonoma County Jail and arrested Chenier for the following felony charges:
30605 PC – Possession of an assault rifle
32625(a) PC – Possession of a machine gun
33215 PC – Possession of short-barreled rifle
33410 PC – Possession of a silencer
29800(a)(1) PC – Narcotics addict in possession of a firearm
The SRPD PCI team is still actively investigating this case. Additional details, including the total financial loss to Dogwood Animal Rescue, may be released at a later time when the information becomes available.
If you believe you are a victim of theft of finances or real property related to Chenier’s suspected actions, you are encouraged to contact the SRPD PCI Tipline at 707-543-3575. When you contact SRPD, please provide your contact information, a summary of your victimization, and be able to provide supporting documents such as copies of canceled checks and/or other financial records.
Santa Rosa Police Department case #25-1736.
