Missouri REALTORS® are not only real estate professionals, they’re so much more. They dedicate their time to serving on school boards, in elected positions, and volunteer their time to make communities a better place to live. They’re educators, serving on panels and facilitating industry discussions. Their philanthropic efforts are inspiring and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members!
This month, we’re shining the Member Spotlight on Michele Sloan-Mulford, REALTOR® with Sloan Choice Realty in St. Charles, Mo.
For more than six years, Michele has volunteered her time with Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue (S.O.A.R.) in O’Fallon, Mo.; an all-volunteer non-profit group committed to helping abandoned, stray, and neglected canines. “I regularly foster dogs at my home, help transport the canines, assist in fundraising, help screen adoption applications, and so much more,” said Sloan-Mulford.
As an active volunteer with S.O.A.R., Michelle works hard to save as many puppies and dogs as possible. “Saving them requires dedicated volunteers, financial support, and a lot of hard work,” said Sloan-Mulford. “Not only is saving the animals the right thing to do, but pet ownership has a positive impact on the real estate community.” In a recent report from the National Association of REALTORS®, millennials make up the largest generation of pet owners. Surprisingly, 33% of these individuals were more influenced by their dog than marriage or children when purchasing a home. For that reason, millennials are more likely than any other generation to adopt a rescue dog.
“S.O.A.R. is all about the animals, and we do make a difference,” said Sloan-Mulford. Money earned from pet adoption fees goes directly back to the organization. With these funds, all animals receive full veterinary physicals, full medical care, any special training required, in addition to all shots, being spayed/neutered, and receiving a microchip prior to adoption. To date, S.O.A.R. has saved more than 4,200 dogs.
If you’re in the community spotlight, or know someone who is, let us know. We’d love to shine our Missouri REALTORS® Spotlight on you!