Jeanette Portocarrero – Board Member Jeanette is a dedicated animal rescuer, fluent Spanish speaker, and U.S.-born Jiu-Jitsu black belt whose life has been fully transformed by her passion for saving animals. As the founder of LOST & FOUND DOGS USA NETWORK in Kern County, California, Jeanette doesn’t just run a rescue—she lives it. She shares her home full-time with the dogs she saves, waking up each morning to their barks and heading into the field at a moment’s notice to respond to animals in urgent need. With over a decade of hands-on rescue experience, Jeanette knows the realities of this work: it’s not glamorous, but a daily, often invisible fight to protect animals who were once someone’s pet—and who still deserve a future. Now, Jeanette is also focusing her energy on what she calls “rescuing the rescuers”—advocating for sustainable support systems so that those on the front lines of animal welfare don’t have to live in constant uncertainty. Her vision is bold: to make rescuers “Rescue Rich,” ensuring they have the resources, funding, and institutional support needed to keep saving lives. She believes the government must be a partner in this work, and she’s committed to pushing for meaningful change at every level.