shelly a. moore
by ann lewis

Alter: To make or be different in some particular way without permanently losing one’s former characteristics or essence. To cause a transformation. (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary)

Shelly Moore, Executive Director of Asheville Humane Society, has recently turned her free time and her considerable artistic talents towards “Altered Art.”

Three of her works were included in a recent show at the August Rose Center in Morristown, Tennessee. The show guide explains that anything may become altered art. The form allows the artist to follow their muse, free from conventional rules and boundaries towards any form of expression. Everything can be viewed in a new light, just an alteration away from a brand new object. Moore uses a variety of artistic techniques as an escape from a profession that is many times contentious and most times heart breaking, “Art is a way to express myself while escaping from the pressures of this work. I think my personality comes out in my art, I can weave in the things I worry about, but I have control over the outcome.” She has also returned to the acrylic painting she once taught over 15 years ago, and decided to include instruction in metal smithing to her artistic repertoire. For her last birthday instead of necklaces and bracelets, she asked for, and received from her husband, a propane torch and a table vise, opting to create her own jewelry.

One object in the Morristown show is a work entitled “An Unfinished Woman,” the altered book exploring the essence of the woman Moore finds hidden in the old pages. Her hands, her eyes, her heart, unfolding before you. And, as life follows art, Moore’s most elegant work, the transformation of which she should be most proud, is the woman herself. In December of last year she made the life changing decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Like so many who come to that serious decision, she had struggled with her weight her entire life. She would diet only to gain the pounds back. “It is such a hit to your self confidence, your failure is so prominent,” says Moore who outwardly was so professionally confident.

Turning forty years old last October gave Moore the wake up call to examine her life and health. Both her parents passed away at a young age, and she realized that she very much wanted to live a long and healthy life. Since preparing for, and undergoing the operation she has lost 104 pounds and within 30 days of surgery her blood pressure had returned to normal. She now works out with a trainer, makes sure to exercise most days of the week, and is looking forward to having the energy to hike in the autumn mountains.

To those who ask why she took such a serious and life altering step, Moore says, “ This surgery gave me the tool I needed to help me in this challenge of regaining and keeping my health. You can see the results so quickly that you stay motivated. It is a total lifestyle change, and anyone contemplating the surgery needs to know you still have to work at it, but it makes the weight loss process easier, makes it manageable.”
Professionally, Moore has performed most every job in animal welfare, from shelter worker to animal control officer and cruelty investigator. “Most humane administrators will tell you that this work is really a calling in their lives.” says Moore, who began volunteering at an animal shelter during college. “ I saw such a need, and realized that I could help a few animals by working hands on, or look at the bigger picture and become proficient in management.”

She became Executive Director of the Humane Society of Washington County, in Hagerstown, Maryland, and added to her BS in Criminology from the University of Maryland with advanced education through a Johns Hopkins University and Humane Society of the US non-profit management program. When her husband of 14 years, Ben Frye followed his career to Greenville, SC, Moore accepted the Executive Director position with Asheville Humane Society.

Moore remembers a tour of the shelter when she first came to Asheville for an interview, “I immediately saw the need for experienced leadership. I thought to myself, ‘Okay, I can fix this.’” And, she began a transformation of the shelter and its programs which have resulted in AHS providing leadership in the animal welfare movement to organizations throughout the Southeast.

Nothing makes her happier than to see her employees grow in their profession, and she encourages them to get continuing education and to be leaders in the animal welfare movement. A recent workshop, Pets for Life, facilitated by Assistant Shelter Manager Jim Fulton brought over 30 shelter professionals to Asheville. And, Animal Control Director David Long is finishing a guidebook for cruelty investigations that can be used by agencies throughout North Carolina.

A recent AHS recommended change to the Buncombe County animal ordinance, is so innovative that Moore has been receiving phone calls from all over the nation. Although there is no licensing of animals in the unincorporated county, you must now purchase a $100 permit for unspayed or unneutered dogs or cats. Although a direct cause and effect has not been yet proven, AHS last fiscal year showed 500 less animals turned over to the shelter, “This is huge,” says Moore of the law. “We have the opportunity to make life better not just for the animals in our shelter, but this will have a beneficial impact on the lives of animals for years to come. The good of this will last long after we are gone”

It is those animals which fuel Moore in her work, and although professionals know you cannot get emotionally involved with each one, she admits, “In this line of work you can always fall in love.” And so she and her husband have amassed a family typical of animal welfare professionals, five dogs, a cat and an Amazon Parrot. all unwanted animals that were cruelty case or strays.

Moore confirms that every animal that is turned down by its family, turned out by society, thrown away, and then then rescued, adopted, and loved again is a work of altered art. People will tell you, after seeing a bedraggled and sad pet sitting in a shelter, then bright eyed and happy with just a little training and love, they are transformed. They are turned into the creatures they were always meant to be, “It is making that difference that fuels me, that keeps me going.”

Ann Lewis is a free lance writer who lives in Asheville. She has been involved with humane issues for over 30 years.