As the Moore County Board of Commissioners considers a bond referendum to fund expanding services at the county’s animal shelter, a petition launched by a group called “Moore Animal Alliance” is pressing for an overhaul of who oversees animal care. The petition is not from a single animal welfare group or individual but from concerned citizens involved in animal welfare who have come together to present the case.
“The petition is not designed to be a negative action but rather to request that the Board of County Commissioners, as they move through their financial/budget planning process in early 2026, take to heart a strong request from concerned citizens with respect to animal welfare in our county,” wrote Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare in Moore County in an email to Sandhills Sentinel.
The Change.org petition, titled “Animal Owners & Citizens of Moore County Join Us,” calls for removing the Sheriff’s Office from animal services, creating a new county department that reports directly to management, and hiring a professional animal welfare director to run long-term operations. It also seeks programs to reduce shelter intake, lower euthanasia rates, and involve volunteers in the design of any future shelters.
Commissioners, however, have already endorsed a plan last year to add an in-house surgical suite and hire a full-time veterinarian at the existing Carthage facility or at a new building. At a meeting in July 2024, Sheriff Ronnie Fields told commissioners the changes would reduce transportation costs, improve animal care, and reinstate microchipping services for the community.
Commissioners also earlier noted potential partnerships with local schools offering veterinary technician programs and stressed the need for public education on spaying and neutering. The board has consistently praised the Sheriff’s Office for its community engagement and quick response to animal calls.
Commissioner Nick Picerno previously stated that the project “pays for itself” by reducing euthanasia rates and lowering adoption costs. All commissioners voiced their support and hoped that the new facility and program would be a significant upgrade.
However, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare in Moore County said, “Our county is killing over 50% of the animals that enter our shelter. We need a strategy and plan to combat this. According to a national animal welfare organization, Moore County kills on average 37% of the pets entering the shelter as “Owner Requested Euthanasia.” The national average is 3 to 5%. Why is this?
“We are killing animals defined as aggressive, feral, sick and Owner Requested Euthanasia at a much higher rate than is acceptable. Similar counties have a 6% euthanasia rate including all categories. This is not an indictment of the staff at the shelter, but a statement calling out the need for an overarching strategy with plans to tackle issues arising out in the community.”
The Moore Animal Alliance and similar groups argue that the county should remove the Sheriff’s Office from animal welfare entirely to concentrate solely on citizens.
“Ultimately, the petition requests that the Sheriff’s Department focus exclusively on human issues and human challenges in Moore County and be funded appropriately, and that the welfare of the animals of Moore County be assigned to an independent highly professional Animal Services Department, unaffected by the election process or funding issues which place the animals in the situation of being collateral damage,” added Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare in Moore County.”
Efforts on both fronts remain ongoing as the county prepares its budget and the petition continues to collect signatures.
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~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Photo via Canva Stock Photos.
