"Moore Humane Society Celebrates 45 Years!" by Celebrating 45 Years of Saving Moore Animals!

Moore Humane Society Celebrates 45 Years!

August 11, 2011

On August 18, 2011, Moore Humane Society will celebrate its 45th Anniversary. It is with the support of the community that we have come this far and we hope you will join us in celebrating this important milestone with us! Over the next year, we will share articles and photos from the past 45 years, many of them from The Pilot.

The History of Moore Humane Society

Forty-five years ago the fate of stray and homeless animals in Moore County was under the jurisdiction of County officials. A group of concerned citizens found the treatment of these animals appalling and felt compelled to intercede. United in this common cause, six Letters to the Editor appeared in The Pilot offering support and financial help to establish a humane society. Thirteen days later Leon H. Baker, of Southern Pines, organized a meeting. More than fifty citizens gathered at the Campbell House; and a resolution to form a humane society was adopted. Moore Humane Society’s primary objective at that time was to get animal control out of the County’s hands and into the hands of a more enlightened, compassionate group of citizens.

On August 18, 1966, The Humane Society of Moore County (today known as Moore Humane Society) was incorporated. Mrs. Constance M. Butler of Southern Pines, Raymond E. North and Miss Betty Dumaine both of Pinehurst were listed as Incorporators on the application.

A Founders meeting was held September 9, 1966 in the library of East Southern Pines High School. Approximately one hundred people were in attendance and officers were elected: Raymond E. North, President; George H. Leonard, Vice President; Miss Betty Dumaine, Vice President; Felton Capel, Vice President; Thomas B. Caddell, Vice President; C. H. Bowman, Treasurer and Mrs. Constance M. Baker, Chairman and Secretary. A Board of Directors was also created.

On April 6, 1967, the Moore Humane Society was granted tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization. On March 6, 1967 during a presentation to the County Commissioners, Moore Humane Society proposed a contract between the Society and the County, in which Moore Humane Society would take over, operate and maintain the County’s animal control facility. On July 5, 1967, the North Carolina Legislature passed a bill authorizing the Moore County Board of Commissioners to enter into such a contract with Moore Humane Society.

Since its inception, Moore Humane Society’s foundation has been built on providing a standard of care for animals that far exceeds the minimum set by law.

In 1971, Moore Humane Society began construction of our existing animal shelter. The shelter was built with private donations raised entirely by Moore Humane Society on land owned by Moore County. (The property was later deeded to Moore Humane Society in 1990 with Moore County retaining a “right of reverter”.) The founders’ mission encompassed more than building a shelter for the stray animals of Moore County. While they raised funds for our current facility, they lobbied for and changed legislation that enabled the responsibility of caring for homeless animals to be moved from municipalities to private citizens, thus impacting the entire state. The people who created Moore Humane Society were the “movers and shakers” of the community forty-five years ago. Raymond E. North (Oliver North’s father), Betty Dumaine, and Constance Baker, to name a few.

For more than thirty years, Moore Humane Society provided animal sheltering services for Moore County at virtually no cost to taxpayers. In 2000, due to irreconcilable financial and philosophical differences, Moore Humane Society cancelled its contract with Moore County and became a “no-kill” shelter.

In 2006, Moore Humane Society purchased 12.5 acres for the purpose of constructing a new state-of the-art facility, which will include an adoption center, veterinary clinic, and education center. Our community and the growing animal welfare crisis need and deserve a facility that can meet the demands we face today and in the future. With your help we can continue to fulfill the vision of our founders.

As the founders of animal welfare in the Sandhills of North Carolina, and the only state-licensed “no kill” animal shelter in Moore County and surrounding counties, Moore Humane Society has provided safe refuge and humane care for tens of thousands of homeless and abandoned animals for the past 45 years. While our willingness to help homeless and abandoned animals is unlimited, our ability to help is restricted by our limited financial resources and an outdated shelter.

Moore Humane Society is funded entirely by private donations and receives no tax dollars. We continue to raise animal welfare standards in Moore County and rely on your support and generosity to continue our lifesaving work. We are your Moore Humane Society!

Please join us as we work toward a brighter future for the homeless and vulnerable animals in our community. Visit our website at www.moorehumane.org, visit our shelter, volunteer, adopt an animal, or make a donation. There are so many ways to help!

Together we are “Saving Moore Animals!

Moore Humane Society P.O. Box 203 Southern Pines, NC 28388

AnimalLover 1 year, 9 months ago

Moore Humane Society is one of the finest and most upstanding organizations I have ever known. The staff and volunteers are the most dedicated people I have ever met, and they are truly there for all the right reasons. They helped me through a couple of very difficult times when two of my animals fell victim to cruelty from strangers. I do not hesitate to offer my assistance to this organization, both financially and volunteering of my time. And one of the biggest bonuses of all is the unending gratitude of the animals they help. That is the most rewarding part of all.

Baselice 1 year, 9 months ago

AnimalLover, I totally agree. Moore Humane has been a very valuable asset to this community. I just can't wait until they build their shelter so Moore County can have a No-Kill shelter that we all can be proud of. Please support Moore Humane to continue its good work.