“After 9/11, my life had to have meaning, so I left my comfortable retail management position to work in animal welfare,” Smith said. “I get to directly save animal’s lives when we transfer them in from ‘traditional’ shelters or animal control facilities. I work with animals that were abused or neglected and have the honor of healing them and placing them in their forever-homes where they will be safe and well cared for.
“People still contact me years after I adopt a pet to them seeking advice or sending me an update. It’s incredibly rewarding changing people’s and pet’s lives.”
Smith said her long-term career goals would be that people would keep their animals, spay and neuter them, and thus, put Felines & Canines and all the other shelters out of business.
Until that day, Smith said she’s working her dream job.
Felines & Canines was known as Felines Inc. for 35 years, until 2012, when they did a $1 million renovation and changed their name.
Smith personally has four cats (Moose, Moxie, Moby and Frazzle) and one dog (Knuckles).
“I am enormously proud that Felines & Canines is a shelter that welcomes all people of any orientation and treats them with respect,” Smith said.
Smith said David Dinger of the Anti-Cruelty Society has long been friend and mentor. “He has always offered any assistance or resources that I or the organization needs,” she said. “It’s wonderful that shelters can work together to achieve a shared goal.”
THE STATS
Age
49
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Relationship status
Partner, Kelly
Job title
Executive director at Felines & Canines
Pizza toppings
Mushroom, green pepper and onion
Hobbies
Reality TV, dancing
Favorite musician/group
Led Zeppelin
Favorite TV shows
“Any Real Housewives of …”
Favorite movie
Best In Show
Favorite professional sports team
Chicago Bears
Little-known fact
“I have a 5-year-old son.”