We need your help to make this happen! 💛 Email the Moore County Commissioners and the local newspaper editor to let them know you support an independent Animal Services Department and a humane future for our county’s animals. Your voice matters—together, we can make real change. 🐾 Scroll down for letters to the Editor.
Email addresses and sample emails are provided below—just copy, paste, and send to show you want change for the animals! 💌🐾
Below are several letters to the Moore County Commissioners each with a different tone and style—professional, compassionate, data-driven, firm, and concise. As well as versions focused specifically on taxpayer concerns, financial responsibility, government efficiency, and accountability. Each one uses a different tone—please select the one that works best for you. Simply copy, paste, insert your information and email to:
Moore County Commissioner Email Addresses:
Kurt Cook- kcook1@moorecountync.gov
Tom Adams- tadams@moorecountync.gov
Nick Picerno- npicerno09@gmail.com
John Ritter- jritter1@moorecountync.gov
Jim Von Canon- jvoncanon@moorecountync.gov
LETTER TO THE MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
LETTER #1 — Professional & Policy-Focused
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to respectfully request that the Moore County Animal Shelter be transitioned from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager’s office and placed under the leadership of a trained animal welfare professional.
Modern animal sheltering requires specialized knowledge in public health, behavior, disease management, community programming, and data-driven operations. These are not law-enforcement responsibilities, and the growing complexity of shelter operations makes it increasingly clear that professional civilian oversight is the appropriate and responsible approach.
Many counties across North Carolina and the nation have already made this transition with remarkable improvements in efficiency, transparency, and animal care outcomes. With proper professional oversight, Moore County can elevate its shelter system to meet today’s best-practice standards while strengthening public trust.
This change is not a criticism of the Sheriff’s Department. It is an acknowledgment that expertise matters and that animal welfare is a civilian, not law-enforcement, function. I respectfully urge the Board to realign the shelter accordingly.
Thank you for your consideration and service.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #2 — Compassionate & Community-Centered
To the Moore County Commissioners,
Our community deeply cares about the wellbeing of animals, and I believe we all share the same goal: ensuring that our county shelter provides humane, modern, and compassionate care. To achieve this, I am asking the Board to move the Moore County Animal Shelter from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager’s office and to place it under the guidance of a qualified animal welfare professional.
Shelter animals are often vulnerable, frightened, or in need of specialized attention. Their care requires individuals with training in animal behavior, disease prevention, enrichment, and modern shelter management—skills that lie outside the typical responsibilities of law enforcement.
By transitioning to civilian oversight, Moore County can create the kind of shelter system our residents expect and our animals deserve. This move would increase transparency, expand partnerships with rescue groups, and align our county with successful models used throughout the state.
Thank you for considering what is best for both our community and the animals entrusted to our care.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
LETTER #3 — Data-Driven & Reform-Oriented
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to advocate for the reorganization of the Moore County Animal Shelter so that it is overseen by the County Manager and managed by an experienced animal welfare professional.
National data and countless case studies show that shelters administered under law-enforcement structures consistently underperform compared to those under civilian leadership. This is not because of any lack of dedication from deputies, but because animal welfare requires specialized training in behavior, public health, veterinary coordination, community outreach, and balanced population management.
Counties that have implemented this administrative shift report higher live-release rates, improved public trust, increased efficiency, and significantly enhanced animal care. Moore County stands to benefit in exactly the same way.
For these reasons, I urge you to prioritize this transition and modernize our approach to animal welfare.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #4 — Firm but Respectful Call for Accountability
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to strongly urge the removal of the Moore County Animal Shelter from the authority of the Sheriff’s Department and its placement under the County Manager with leadership from a qualified animal welfare professional.
The current administrative model is outdated and misaligned with today’s expectations for transparency, professionalism, and humane care. Animal sheltering is not a law-enforcement duty, and continuing to treat it as one limits the progress our county is capable of achieving.
Moving the shelter to the County Manager’s office would establish clearer lines of accountability, create more consistent policies, improve communication, and ensure that operations are guided by modern sheltering standards. Professional oversight is essential for the safety, health, and welfare of the animals and for public confidence in county operations.
This is a necessary and responsible change for Moore County.
Thank you for your time and leadership.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #5 — Short & Direct
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to request that the Moore County Animal Shelter be moved from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager and overseen by a trained animal welfare professional. Animal sheltering is a specialized civilian function requiring expertise beyond law enforcement’s role. Counties that make this change see improved quality of care, transparency, and community trust.
Please take action to modernize our shelter operations.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #6 — Taxpayer Efficiency & Accountability Focus
Dear Commissioners,
As a Moore County taxpayer, I am requesting that you transition the Moore County Animal Shelter from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager’s office and place it under the direction of an experienced animal welfare professional.
My concern is simple: the current structure is not the most cost-effective or efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Animal sheltering is a civilian service, not a law-enforcement operation. When shelters are run under sheriff’s offices, counties often absorb additional costs due to duplicated administrative systems, higher staffing expenses, and limited access to grant funding intended exclusively for civilian-run shelters.
By moving the shelter under the County Manager and hiring a qualified animal welfare professional, Moore County can adopt modern best practices that reduce intake, increase adoptions, improve operational efficiency, and make better use of taxpayers’ money. Civilian-managed shelters consistently demonstrate greater transparency, better public engagement, and more efficient resource allocation.
This transition is not only humane—it is fiscally responsible.
Thank you for considering this necessary improvement to how taxpayer dollars are used.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #7 — Financial Responsibility & Waste Reduction
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing as both a resident and a taxpayer to urge the Board to move the Moore County Animal Shelter out of the Sheriff’s Department and into the County Manager’s office with oversight by a trained animal welfare professional.
From a financial standpoint, the current structure creates avoidable inefficiencies. Law-enforcement supervision brings law-enforcement-level administrative costs: higher salaries, broader training requirements unrelated to animal care, and less flexibility in staffing models. Counties that have shifted to civilian oversight frequently report reduced operational costs, increased volunteer participation, and improved access to non-profit partnerships—all of which lower the financial burden on taxpayers.
Civilian shelter leadership also improves eligibility for grants, donations, and community partnership programs that sheriff-run shelters often cannot access. This means more outside support and less reliance on tax revenue.
In short, moving the shelter is not only the right thing to do for the animals—it is the fiscally prudent choice.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #8 — Emphasis on Transparency & Budget Oversight
To the Moore County Commissioners,
As a taxpayer, I am requesting that the Moore County Animal Shelter be transferred from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager’s office and managed by a qualified animal welfare professional.
This change is urgently needed to ensure greater transparency and oversight of public funds. Law-enforcement divisions are not designed to provide the same level of public access and reporting that civilian departments routinely offer. When shelter management is embedded within a sheriff’s office, budget clarity, operational data, and performance metrics are often difficult for taxpayers and even county leaders to fully evaluate.
Civilian oversight under the County Manager would create a clearer chain of accountability and enable the shelter to implement modern data tracking systems that support responsible budgeting. It would also allow taxpayers to see how resources are used, what outcomes are achieved, and where improvements are needed.
This structural change benefits not only the animals but also every taxpayer who deserves transparency and efficiency.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
LETTER #9 — Budget-Conscious & Firm Tone
Dear Commissioners,
As a responsible taxpayer, I am concerned about the inefficient use of county funds under the current structure of the Moore County Animal Shelter. Housing the shelter within the Sheriff’s Department is an outdated model that leads to unnecessary expenses and limited performance accountability.
Shelter operations—intake management, veterinary coordination, community programming, and adoption services—are civilian services that should be led by a qualified animal welfare professional. When these responsibilities are handled by a law-enforcement agency, taxpayers pay more while receiving less transparency and lower operational efficiency.
Counties that adopt civilian oversight consistently reduce costs and improve outcomes. Moore County should do the same.
For the sake of fiscal responsibility, I urge you to move the shelter under the County Manager’s office.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LETTER #10 — Short, Clear, and Strong
Dear Commissioners,
As a taxpayer, I am asking you to move the Moore County Animal Shelter from the Sheriff’s Department to the County Manager and ensure it is run by a trained animal welfare professional.
This shift will reduce unnecessary law-enforcement administrative expenses, improve transparency, and allow the county to adopt more efficient, cost-effective shelter practices. It is the fiscally responsible decision.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
EMAIL THE EDITOR OF THE PILOT:
Below are several distinct Letters to the Editor you can use or adapt. Each one has a different tone and approach—professional, compassionate, data-driven, and community-focused—so you can choose what best fits you. Simply copy, paste, insert your name and email it to: John A. Nagy- john@thepilot.com
Letter to the Editor #1: Professional & Policy-Focused
To the Editor:
I am writing to urge Moore County leadership to reconsider the current placement of the county animal shelter under the Sheriff’s Department and instead move it under the County Manager’s office with oversight by a qualified animal welfare professional.
Animal sheltering is not a law-enforcement function. Modern shelter operations require expertise in public health, humane animal care, shelter management, community outreach, adoption programming, and evidence-based practices that reduce intake and increase live outcomes. These are areas best handled by professionals with specialized training, not by a department whose primary responsibilities revolve around public safety.
Many counties across North Carolina and the nation have made this transition with overwhelmingly positive results. When shelters are managed by trained animal welfare staff, animals receive better care, communities experience more effective support services, and shelter operations become more transparent and accountable.
Moore County deserves a shelter system that reflects modern standards of humane treatment, public trust, and professional management. I respectfully call on county leaders to move the shelter to the County Manager’s office and ensure it is overseen by a credentialed animal welfare expert.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter to the Editor #2: Compassionate & Community-Oriented
Dear Editor,
Our county’s homeless animals cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak for them. It is time for Moore County to re-evaluate who oversees our animal shelter and how decisions are made about the lives in its care.
The current structure—placing the shelter under the Sheriff’s Department—is outdated and misaligned with today’s best practices. The sheriff and deputies serve our community well in their law-enforcement roles, but they are not trained animal care professionals. Shelter animals require compassionate, specialized care and evidence-based management practices rooted in modern animal welfare science.
Moving the shelter under the County Manager and hiring a qualified animal welfare professional to lead the program would greatly improve outcomes. This shift would prioritize animal health, create more effective adoption and community support programs, and enhance transparency for the public.
Our community cares deeply about its animals. Let’s ensure that the people running our shelter have the expertise, training, and focus to give these animals the care they need and deserve.
Warmly,
[Your Name]
Letter to the Editor #3: Direct, Data-Driven & Reform-Oriented
To the Editor:
Moore County has reached a turning point with regard to its animal shelter. Numerous national studies show that shelters administered by law-enforcement agencies consistently underperform compared to those overseen by civilian departments staffed with credentialed animal welfare professionals. This is not a criticism of law enforcement—it is simply a reflection of expertise.
Animal sheltering today requires knowledge of animal behavior, disease prevention, population management, community engagement, and data-driven program design. These are not law-enforcement functions. Counties that transition their shelters out of sheriff’s offices routinely see significant improvements in live-release rates, reductions in euthanasia, and stronger community support.
For these reasons, I urge Moore County to transfer oversight of the animal shelter to the County Manager’s office and to employ a trained animal welfare professional to manage it. This is not just the humane choice; it is the efficient, responsible, and evidence-based choice for our community.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
Letter to the Editor #4: Firm, Community Accountability Tone
Dear Editor,
Moore County residents deserve a modern, transparent, and humane animal shelter—one that reflects our shared values as a compassionate and responsible community. Achieving that goal requires a fundamental change in how our shelter is managed.
The county shelter is currently under the Sheriff’s Department, a structure that no longer serves the best interests of the animals or the taxpayers. Law enforcement agencies are not designed, trained, or staffed to run animal welfare programs. The result is predictable: outdated practices, limited community involvement, and inadequate professional oversight.
I am urging county leaders to move shelter operations to the County Manager’s office and hire an experienced animal welfare professional to oversee policy, operations, and public accountability. This realignment would place shelter management where it belongs—under civilian leadership with professional expertise and public transparency.
Our animals, our citizens, and our county deserve nothing less.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter to the Editor #5: Short, Clear, and Action-Oriented
To the Editor:
It’s time for Moore County to modernize how we manage our animal shelter. The shelter should not be under the Sheriff’s Department; it should be overseen by the County Manager and led by a trained animal welfare professional.
This change would bring our county in line with national best practices, improve outcomes for animals, and provide greater transparency for residents. I encourage county officials to make this responsible and humane transition as soon as possible.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR #6 — CALL TO ACTION FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT
To the Editor:
Moore County residents who care about humane treatment and responsible government oversight now have an important opportunity to make their voices heard. Our community deserves an animal shelter that reflects modern standards of care, transparency, and professionalism. To achieve this, we must move the Moore County Animal Shelter out of the Sheriff’s Department and place it under the County Manager with leadership from a trained animal welfare professional.
This is not a political issue—it is a community issue. Counties across North Carolina have already made this change with outstanding results: improved care for animals, better public access to information, and greater accountability. Moore County should expect the same.
I am asking all residents who want a more compassionate and professionally run shelter to take action now.
First, please sign the petition in support of transferring shelter oversight to the County Manager and ensuring it is led by a credentialed animal welfare professional. Every signature sends a clear message that our community supports humane, modern, and transparent shelter operations.
Second, we invite everyone to show solidarity by wearing purple—the national color of animal advocacy—and joining us for peaceful marches around the historic Moore County Courthouse on December 1st and January 6th. Both marches will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will demonstrate to county leadership just how strongly this community supports positive change.
Finally, please attend the public comment session at the Moore County Commissioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. on those same evenings. A strong public presence sends a powerful message that residents expect meaningful, humane reform of shelter oversight.
Our animals cannot speak for themselves—but we can. Together, we can ensure that Moore County provides the professional, compassionate sheltering system our community deserves.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Editor of The Pilot Email Address:
John A. Nagy- john@thepilot.com
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