Moore officials outline shelter reforms as residents press for an experienced superintendent

Dennis Bothwell, Moore’s public works director, told the City Council on March 2 that the Moore Animal Welfare & Adoption Center has expanded operating hours, added staff and strengthened veterinary partnerships as part of an effort to improve animal-care outcomes.

“Hours were increased from about 35 a week to 43,” Bothwell said, and staff additions include a recently hired animal-control officer, an administrative specialist responsible for records and medical inventory, and two part‑time kennel technicians. Bothwell said first‑round interviews for an animal‑shelter superintendent are scheduled for March 5.

Why it matters: Council members and the dozens of residents who spoke during public comment said the superintendent hire will determine whether recent changes become permanent. Bothwell described concrete steps already under way — a Shelter Pro software rollout tied to iPads for kennel staff, on‑site veterinary partnerships and a new shelter‑swap program aimed at moving long‑term residents to other jurisdictions where they may be more likely to be adopted.

Bothwell summarized technology and policy updates the shelter is implementing. Staff have begun Shelter Pro electronic intake and live updates to the city website so available animals display in real time; an administrative staff member audits records daily. Bothwell said the shelter obtained additional Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics certifications for animal control officers and upgraded training plans that include in‑person sessions and attendance at industry conferences. He said the shelter’s standard operating procedures, updated to reflect current ordinances and best practices, were submitted to legal review and are scheduled for release in April 2026.

Bothwell also described expanded veterinary support: County Line Veterinary Services has begun twice‑weekly rounds; Silverleaf/Scroggins Animal Hospital and Capstone Veterinary Care provide supplemental or specialty care as needed. He said the shelter maintains a list of roughly 30 rescue partners but that logistical limits mean only about a dozen pulled animals in the past year; staff are building an automated transfer/tracking database (using Airtable) to make rescues, fosters and transfers easier and more visible.

Public comments: Several residents and animal‑welfare professionals urged the council to hire a superintendent with established shelter leadership experience rather than promote from within or make a routine selection.

• Stephanie Adams Hawkins, an animal‑welfare professional from Norman who said she applied for the superintendent role, told the council: “You have a unique opportunity to really be leaders in this — to go from criticism to leaders in Oklahoma.”

• Becca Bean, who served on an oversight committee in Norman, praised the operational corrections but asked for evidence that the shelter is reducing length of stay and improving live outcomes. “Better recordkeeping isn’t going to save the lives of the litter of puppies that was euthanized for ringworm,” she said, and urged a proven leader who “doesn’t wait for outside pressure for life‑saving programs.”

• Dr. David Biles, a veterinarian, stressed compliance with veterinary medical records and controlled‑substances rules and urged consistent record templates for outside practitioners who provide care at the shelter.

Legal and policy context: Attorney Caris Ward reminded councilmembers of legal exposure and recent legislative activity that could affect municipal animal regulations; she referenced the long‑standing Old Drum opinion as well as an interim legislative study and a pending House bill (House Bill 4335) that she said could preempt some municipal animal rules.

Council response and next steps: Councilmembers thanked staff and residents, emphasized the need to maintain reforms and asked that the council receive the updated SOPs before they go live. Bothwell said the SOP release is scheduled for April 2026 and that he will provide council a copy in advance. The presentation required no formal vote. Council will continue with the superintendent hiring process and monitor implementation of the software, training and rescue/transfer systems.

What remains unresolved: The council did not vote on hiring criteria for the superintendent; commenters and councilmembers asked for transparent, measurable selection criteria and public review of finalists. Bothwell signaled additional budget requests for veterinary equipment and increased medical funding in the coming budget process.