COMM U N I T Y
Calling All Animal Lovers Helping hands needed at the Moore Animal Shelter
M
oore Animal Shelter’s work is centered around one main goal: caring for animals while they’re with them and giving the absolute best care possible. Sam Phillips, the adoption coordinator of Moore Animal Shelter, has been with the shelter for eight years and she said that the staff and volunteers at the shelter are committed to making sure the animals in their care are comfortable by providing a safe, fun environment. Phillips said that the negative stigma shelters have as being a bad place where animals are stuck in their kennels is not the reality at Moore Animal Shelter. “That’s definitely not what it’s like at our facility,” she explained. “We take good care of our animals while they’re with us. Our staff works hard to keep things fun, clean and well cared for and to get the animals back home or placed in a new home.” The shelter takes in lost animals and owner surrenders in the Moore area, from dogs and cats to occasional ferrets or chickens. As a result, they are always full. With only six employees, the shelter relies heavily on volunteers to help keep things running smoothly.
10 June 2021
Volunteers help with a variety of things, depending upon what they enjoy, what they’re capable of doing, and what is needed at the time. “As long as they love animals and enjoy spending time with them, they’ll be a perfect fit,” Phillips said. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, or 16 with parent permission, and have had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years. Kiddos under 16 are not able to help at this time, due to liability, since all stray animals are accepted. Staff work to ensure volunteers do not interact with any animal that shows aggressive tendencies, but they must err on the side of caution and safety. Volunteers can also help with special events, such as their Microchip Clinic. If a volunteer has a special interest, they work to get them involved in that particular area at the shelter. “Everyone gets something out of it,” Phillips said. “We need the help, the animals need the attention and love, and the volunteers really seem to feel so rewarded from the experience. Everyone benefits from it.”