Check Out Michelle Shaffer’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shaffer

Hi Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started the Dog Moms of Durham because I had a passion for planning events, especially canine recreation events. At the time, I was working for the City of Durham’s Parks and Recreation planning their Canine Recreation events. I didn’t love how restricted I was with my planning. I saw the potential for the growth of Canine Recreation, but it wasn’t prioritzed within the department. I was encouraged by others that I could do this on my own and therefore not be restricted with where I could take my events.

I personally love animals and am very big on animal advocacy. I wish I had all the money in the world to be able to donate to animal rescues. While I don’t have all the money to give, I do have my talents to give. My talents of planning events. I decide when starting up this organization that all of our events would have a fundraising component to it. Each event we would partner with a different animal rescue to help them raise funds and bring awareness to their organization.

My other passion is supporting small businesses. So much of our everyday life is already controlled or supporting the top 5%. I wanted to create more opportunity for small business to get in front of potential cliental.

The Dog Moms of Durham’s mission to connect animal loving people with animal loving local businesses and animal rescue organizations. It has become a place where many people have come and made deep connections and finding friends in a new city.

We have plans to rebrand and have our events throughout the entire Triangle in 2025 and not just in Durham. Stay tuned!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Because of COVID we now have a lot more pet owner as well as people looking for connections, since we were cut off from each other for so long. The need for connection and canine recreation is so large that our group has grown very quickly. With that has come it’s struggles. We are out growing our current venues that we regularly use, and we’ve had to do a lot of restructuring within the core members of our organizations to keep things running smoothly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Most of my career has been working with animals. I was a Veterinary Technician for 7 years before going into even planning. I worked for the City of Durham’s Parks and Recreation department for two years managing their Canine Recreation Program. In April 2024, I left the City to work on the Dog Moms of Durham full time. I have completed my Event Planning Specialist Certification and am going to be graduating from NCCU in May of 2025 with my Bachelor’s in Recreation Administration.

I am know for my attention of details. All of my events that I plan are always very thought out even to the smallest detail. I always get a lot of compliments from vendors and participants stating, “I’ve thought of everything”. This especially has allowed me to build very good relationships with my vendors and sponsors.

I am also know for my animal advocacy. When it comes to my events, every decision I make is also influenced by animal safety and wellbeing FIRST. That can sometimes be hard for humans that want me to put human preference and convenience first. However, I believe that it is important that we are the voice for our animals, as they do not have their own voice.

I am very proud of the community that I have created with Dog Moms of Durham. I have made so many great friends through this group, and I know others have done the same.

I think what sets us apart from other social clubs or festivals is that we are a non-profit. We are not here to make a lot of money but rather give back to our community.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
You can’t make everyone happy. Find your niche and stick with it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedogmomsofdurham.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedogmomsofdurham/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedogmomsofdurham/