Christina Belton
Christina Belton is a dedicated animal advocate and nonprofit leader based in Eagle Point, Oregon. With over 20 years of professional experience spanning sales, customer service, and transportation, Christina combines a strong work ethic with a deep passion for community service. She holds certifications in Computerized Accounting and Business Technology, as well as a Class A Commercial Driver’s License, which she has used extensively in her work with heavy equipment and large-animal transport. Christina thrives in collaborative, team-oriented environments and is committed to delivering quality services to her clients, partners, and community.
In 2018, Christina’s lifelong commitment to animal welfare became her central focus during the fire season in Oregon. She partnered with a nonprofit organization to evacuate animals affected by wildfires, leveraging her experience with large-animal transport and emergency procedures. Following this, she established Namaste Sanctuary, a nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary, where she has managed operations on both large and small properties. Over the years, she has cared for a wide range of animals—including horses, cows, pigs, llamas, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and even cold-blooded animals—while also engaging local schools and volunteers in community service initiatives.
Today, Christina is focused on addressing the feline homeless population in Jackson-Josephine County, developing a dedicated feline facility on donated land to ensure no cats are left behind. Her work emphasizes emergency preparedness, technical large-animal rescue, and long-term care, always grounded in honesty, teamwork, and community relationships. Through Namaste Sanctuary, Christina continues to provide vital rescue services, education, and advocacy for animals in need, embodying her lifelong dedication to animal welfare and compassionate service.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Fire Evacuation Animal Rescue Volunteer (2018 Oregon Fires)
• School Trip Programs
• High School Community Service Programs
• Community Animal Welfare Support
What do you attribute your success to?
What has made me go as far as I have gone and stay going is that no matter what, the right thing will be done - not what everybody thinks their opinion is, but the right thing medically, whatever the sense. It is honestly, no matter how I feel or either way, it would be the right thing to do. You can't beat around the bush with people, you have to be honest. Things hurt, things are painful, choices are painful, and I think that's one thing about me - I can make the decisions that need to be made. And that's how we've gotten this far. Also, having my family has really gotten me through tough times. My mother, my boyfriend, my sister, my daughter, my son - we all work together on our own farm and they've helped me all the way live my dream. Having that family and those really close community connections help you get through.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that help is so hard to find - good, honest, helpful people. The struggle to find good help is always there. But the wonderful thing about making relationships in the community is that there's such an array of people and skills, different people with different skills, and I've really started to connect with the community. The biggest opportunity I see right now is eliminating the feline homeless population in Jackson-Josephine County. It's a neglect on the city and the county side to refuse to handle the situation. I think I'm meant to build a bigger facility and get back into those connections with all the vets I've had anything to do with, and get everyone to put forth the effort at the right time to make the difference, because we're just feeding the problem. Cats are the only pet that people just throw out, and they're fending for themselves. The feline issue here is so big that I think that's maybe what I'm meant to do - organizing the shift in this problem.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me both personally and professionally are honesty, integrity, and doing what’s right for animals. I deeply believe in the power of teamwork and the importance of supporting family and community, as these connections provide the foundation for meaningful work and a fulfilling life.