Raleigh Smith has been an advocate for animal welfare all of her adult life — and more specifically for displaced, neglected, abandoned and lost dogs. After returning to Oregon in 2000, she was her own freelance dog rescuer in Josephine County. She could not pass up on a dog in distress — even being late to a tax audit as she passed a near starving dog on the way. She became a formal volunteer for the Josephine County Animal Shelter when she thought she could make more of an impact there than on her own.

As a volunteer at the animal shelter, she launched the Josephine County Hero Train which promotes adoption, foster and volunteerism. Raleigh promotes adoptable dogs through social media, various rescue sites and adoption events, and responds to inquiries resulting from these promotions. She also follows up with the adopting families to be sure the transition has gone smoothly, and if necessary, to offer additional guidance or referral needs. Additionally, Raleigh facilitates transport of dogs to medical appointments, to new homes outside of Josephine County and has expanded the dog foster program when it becomes necessary for dogs that need short and long term care due to age, post medical care, or situations when the shelter is nearing capacity.

As Dog Adoption Coordinator, Raleigh has successfully recruited and cultivated a dedicated team of volunteers who participate in Adoption events at various venues such as Petco, Grange Co-Op and Washington Federal Bank as well as participation in various community events such as the Boatnick Parade and The Pet and Dog Fairs at Riverside Park.

Raleigh works full-time as a residential Loan Officer with Jefferson State Mortgage and credits her employer with accommodating her passion for dogs. When she has to leave her desk in order to transport a dog to the vet or has scheduled a “meet and greet” for a prospective adopter.

Raleigh has three grown children and her empty nest is now filled with Tripod — a three-legged Yellow Lab, Sissy and Taz, her 14 year old Shih-tzu mixes and frequent visiting dogs and intermittent foster dogs.