SHOWSIGHT recently met with Diane Moore, Executive Director at SHOW-SAFE, to talk about the non-profit’s efforts to become a meaningful resource for all members of the dog show community. In less than a year, the organization has gone from identifying the need to safeguard participants in the sport to creating a genuine grassroots movement that offers education, support, and leadership training. Help (and hope) is now just a phone call away.
Diane Moore: By the time I was brought in as the first employee and Executive Director, the founding Board had already built a strong vision for SHOW-SAFE and taken the first steps toward nonprofit status. What this passionate group of dog show enthusiasts needed was a content expert to shape prevention and victim-centered services while managing daily operations. With over 30 years of experience leading public sector human services—ranging from child welfare to licensing—I’ve spent my career creating safe environments and responding to abuse and misconduct. I also have a strongly held belief that the best solutions come from the very people impacted by any issue, so when I saw the advertisement for this position I was attracted to its grassroots nature. This is not a movement being “done to” the dog show community, but an enthusiastic and proactive declaration by the community itself of who they are and what they want to become. And that is both beautiful and powerful. As someone new to the fancy (I joke that I am an “adopted rescue”), it’s an honor to be welcomed by such a kind, generous, dedicated community to assist in this work.
DM: These core values drive all that we do. We approach our preventative education and victim services from a very unique, values-based approach rooted in the dog show community itself. When we bring out the best in one another, it then follows that we are looking out protectively for one another, responding with compassion when bad things happen, and behaving in ethical and respectful ways. I love the dog show world for its diversity of people and dogs. I love that we can leave behind the noise of the outer world when we come to shows and create a unity based on respectful relationships and love of the sport. And this lines right up with the AKC’s Personal Conduct Policy and newly released Code of Sportsmanship and Civility. This shared focus on how we treat one another is not only preventative of harm, it is how we keep this sport sustainable and welcoming for generations to come.
DM: Many think that mistreatment of others doesn’t happen in close-knit communities. In fact, the opposite is true. That sense of community and trust is exactly what bad actors exploit to allow for sexual abuse of children, hidden domestic violence, financial exploitation of the elderly, etc. It is not generally a stranger who does these things, but someone who has gained trust. And this isn’t an issue unique to dog shows. You see it in churches, schools, other sports—anywhere people gather. There is no stigma in embracing these conversations. The real risk is silence. That’s why SHOW-SAFE exists and is prepared with programming that brings not just awareness, but resources and solutions regarding abuse and misconduct to every individual and every club.
DM: Absolutely. We provide custom courses made specifically for the dog sporting community. These courses focus on helping individuals and clubs recognize signs of interpersonal abuse and misconduct, and respond to threats of harm with both confidence and compassion. Our show-based Juniors education course is a perfect example of our values-based approach and how effective it is in addressing personal safety in positive, empowering ways. Juniors and their parents have loved it! I am also particularly excited about our upcoming Club Best Practices education course that will be released later this year because it is chock full of very pragmatic things clubs can do to promote safety and sustainability in their own communities. Also in development is our future leadership development program for Juniors, and that is the real key to ensuring long-term success: raising ethical future leaders. These offerings energize and focus the entire community on making it an even greater place. We have more demand than we can even keep up with!
DM: Yes! And I think, for me, this has been one of the most impactful and unique aspects of SHOW-SAFE. Anyone can call or text us at 1-859-203-8683 for support if they are in, or aware of, a situation that is unsafe. It’s strictly confidential, victim-centered, and brings together resources and information for those impacted by abuse or misconduct to carve out their own path towards safety. We’re not emergency responders or mental health providers, so people should still call 911 or 988 for urgent situations, but what we offer is a listening ear and practical support anytime, anywhere, for anyone. Literally, just a few days ago, I got a text from one person I had worked with who said, “You gave me hope when I didn’t think there was any.” When I say that we are doing life-transforming work on the helpline, it is not an exaggeration. And we follow up those more immediate situations with our Aftercare services when needed, providing support to any victim of abuse or misconduct in helping them achieve long-term healing.
DM: We comply with all child abuse reporting laws when a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect. Beyond that, our role is to walk alongside victims while law enforcement or other authorities handle any investigations. If someone wants to make a report to authorities or pursue legal action, we provide information and support, but the choice and power always remain fully with the victim.
DM: Absolutely. This work belongs to the whole community, and we can’t do it alone. Volunteers are essential, whether that means helping to deliver education courses locally, sharing SHOW-SAFE resources at shows, fundraising, or mobilizing their clubs. No matter your skill set, interest, or schedule, we’ll work with you to find a role that allows you to make a difference.
DM: Thankfully, with enthusiasm and generosity. In the very beginning, some wondered whether SHOW-SAFE would be focused mainly on offenders or if there was really a need for our services, but now that people are experiencing the fruits of what we offer, the response has been overwhelmingly positive and appreciative. Nearly every club I speak with wants to learn more, join as members, host us at their shows, or collaborate in some other way. Our challenge now is simply getting the word out as a new nonprofit, so we encourage everyone reading this to learn more and help spread the word.
DM: We simply cannot keep up with the current demand for our services. Beyond volunteering your time and skills, providing financial support is the most critical support we need. My favorite way—and I wish literally every person in this community would sign up for this—is to become a part of our Ring Leaders monthly donor program. It’s great because no amount is too small for tangible impact. For the price of one cup of coffee or a fountain drink each month, you can personally fund our education and victim services.
DM: Clubs can become annual members of SHOW-SAFE by choosing a donation level that works for them, which also prioritizes them for our educational programs and special recognitions. For individuals, our memberships are both lifetime and cumulative, with no annual dues. Every donation moves you toward the next level of recognition, represented by different colored pins as a symbol of your commitment. Anyone who joins our monthly donor Ring Leaders program at $8.33 or more automatically receives their green lifetime supporter pin. It’s always inspiring to see these pins worn at shows because they’re a visible declaration of the safe and supportive community we are building together.
