Carolina Mountain Dog

"My Furry Valentine" - Adoptions Just $14!-Asheville, Feb. 10-11

Your "furry Valentine" could end up being the love of your life! On Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11, that furry Valentine will be waiting for you at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. Hours will be from 12 to 6 PM both days.

Stop by and see all the adorable adult dogs and cats (6 months and older) available for just $14 each in honor of Valentine's Day. You'll also get to taste a free scrumptious sample of cakeballs, Asheville's newest gourmet dessert craze, courtesy of Biltmore Cakeball Bakery (located at the Biltmore Square Mall). And you can buy a Valentine's gift box of cakeballs at a special price while you're there.

Don't miss out on the love! Come to the Adoption Center Feb. 10 and 11. It's located at the intersection of Brevard Road and Pond Road, near the Farmers Market. To see all the animals available for adoption, visit www.ashevillehumane.org.

Live in 28806? Get Your Dog Fixed Free!

Spay/neuter is the only real way to "fix" the pet overpopulation problem in the Carolina mountains and nationwide. Luckily, our area is home to Humane Alliance, a spay/neuter clinic that is also the nation's leading trainer in high volume, high quality, low cost spay/neuter procedures.

Now through a grant from PetSmart Charities, Asheville residents who live in the zip code area 28806 are entitled to get their dogs fixed for free. That's right it will cost you nothing, nada, zero! In Asheville, the law is that dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old. The procedure is safe on animals as young as eight weeks old.

To take advantage of this free program, call Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, (828) 505-3440 and ask about "Operation Fix-A-Dog," or email: fixadog@bwar.org .

February is Spay-Neuter Awareness Month

February is Spay-Neuter Awareness Month, culminating in "World Spay Day," which occurs on February 28, 2012. World Spay Day is presented by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. 

World Spay Day is truly a global effort: Hundreds of animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics and hospitals, schools, businesses, and individuals in the United States and around the world organize World Spay Day events to educate people in their communities about the life-saving importance of spay/neuter,  to provide spay/neuter services at special prices for particular populations, and to raise critical spay/neuter funds.

World Spay Day helps many people and animals worldwide: Thousands of individuals attend World Spay Day events and enter their pets’ photos in the World Spay Day Pet Photo Contest.

Pet Photo Contest

The World Spay Day Pet Photo Contest is an online photo contest designed to give people an opportunity to show off their pets and win prizes, to raise awareness of the importance of spay/neuter, and to raise critical funding for spay/neuter services and promotion. It runs during Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, from Feb. 1 – 29, 2012. It's easy and fun!

• Enter your pet's photo. It's free!
• Choose a pre-qualified organization to benefit from the votes your pet's photo receives. Each vote for your pet's photo is just a $1 donation, and all funds raised go to support spay/neuter to help save pets' lives.
• Vote for your pet!
• Ask everyone you know to vote for your pet's photo.

You can win prizes for getting the highest number of votes and for having the best photo! For more information about the contest, visit: https://spaydayportal.humanesociety.org/photocontest/

Fosterpalooza 2012, Asheville, Jan. 28

Fostering an animal is a way to share your love with a dog or cat in need –- and it can be a wonderful learning experience for the entire family.

To introduce families to the joys of fostering dogs and cats, Asheville Humane Society is sponsoring  FOSTERPALOOZA 2012, a free event, on Saturday, January 28, from 1 to 3 PM at the Adoption and Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville.

At this family-friendly event, the public will learn how to share the love by fostering an animal for Asheville Humane Society. A foster mom will make a presentation and attendees can speak with foster parents of kittens, puppies, cats, and dogs. Bring the children -- they'll meet some foster animals and participate in fun activities.

Find out everything you need to know about fostering an animal. Come to FOSTERPALOOZA 2012! For more information go to: www.ashevillehumane.org.

Photo credit: Image: SOMMAI / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Adopt the Love of Your Life - Just $12!

For two days only, Asheville Humane Society will ring in 2012 with $12 adoptions. That's right, any dog, cat, puppy or kitten can be yours for just $12!

Come to the Adoption & Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville on Friday, December 30 from Noon to 6 PM and Saturday, December 31 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Start the New Year right by adopting the love of your life!

Visit www.ashevillehumane.org for more information or to see animals available for adoption.

"Home for the Howlidays"-$25 Adoptions-Asheville, Dec. 23-24

Looking for a special way to celebrate Chanukah and Christmas? How about adopting the love of your life!

Now you can, at Asheville Humane Society's "Home for the Howlidays" special adoption event, taking place on Friday, Dec. 23 from 12 to 6 PM and Saturday, Dec. 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Adoption & Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. Every lovable animal -- cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies -- is available for just $25.

Take home an animal and get the unconditional love of a pet this holiday season!

For more information, visit www.ashevillehumane.org.

An excellent article about adopting puppies from shelters rather than buying them from pet stores, which typically sell puppies from puppy mills, appeared in the Dec. 21 edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times. The article includes important information from Katherine Shenar, president/CEO, Asheville Humane Society. You can read it here.

Illustration credit: Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New Transport Program Helps WNC Animals

On December 14, Appalachian Animal Rescue Coalition (AARC), a new life-saving alliance, began regular transports from WNC to rescue organizations in the northeastern United States, where spay/neuter laws have been so successful that the destination agencies have more people eager to adopts pets than animals available for adoption.

AARC has been organized by Animal Compassion Network (ACN), a rescue organization that serves all of Western North Carolina, P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter in Bryson City, Jackson County Humane Society (ARF) and Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue in Transylvania. 

What makes AARC different from other transport programs is that the four WNC rescue organizations are working collaboratively to help more dogs, including those from outlying counties where help is not as readily available. AARC has formed partnerships with northern safe-for-life rescue organizations that are ready and willing to receive transports on a monthly basis so they can meet the higher demand for adoptable pets in Massachusetts and New Jersey. The dogs who are transported will come from Buncombe, Haywood, Swain, Jackson, Transylvania, Madison and Rutherford counties. 

Volunteers are needed to fill several roles and donations are needed to cover transport expenses. Donations will help defray transport costs. Checks may be sent to Animal Compassion Network (write Transport Program on the memo line) at 803 Fairview St., Asheville, NC 28803. Anyone interested in being a foster or a transport-loading volunteer – or who has questions first – should contact Angie Wilt at aarccoordinator@gmail.com or at Animal Compassion Network’s Pet Harmony pet store for rescued pets at (828) 274-3647.

Brother Wolf Holiday Open House-Dec. 18, Asheville

You are invited to the Holiday Open House at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, 31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville, on Sunday, December 18 from 12 to 4 PM. Come to Brother Wolf's adoption center and enjoy free refreshments, projects for kids, sweet treats for sale, gift ideas for pets and people, and free "pawdicures"!

Bring a gift for the animals from the wish list found at www.bwar.org/donate, tour the adoption center, and get 50 percent of all merchandise at the Second Chances Thrift Store on this day only. For more information visit www.bwar.org.

Pet Adoption Fair-Asheville, Dec. 17

Subaru's charitable work is widely known, and the company's support of animal causes is to be commended. In the Asheville area, Prestige Subaru is a major supporter of animal adoption efforts.

Join ACN (Animal Compassion Network) and Prestige Subaru for an Adoption Fair on Saturday, December 17 from 11 AM to 3 PM at Prestige Subaru, 585 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC, where you can "find your dream car and a forever friend."

For additional details, visit the ACN website: http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org/

Santa Paws and Open House-Dec. 10, Boone, NC

Bring your family and your pet to visit with "Santa Paws" and have your family pet portrait photograhed on Saturday, December 10 from 1 to 5 PM during a Holiday Open House at the Watauga Humane Society's new Irma Baker Lyons Adoption and Education Center, 312 Paws Way in Boone, NC. Please bring gifts for the animals too!

For more information, visit wataugahumanesociety.org, or call 828-264-7865.

 

New Ads from The Shelter Pet Project

The Shelter Pet Project is a national public service awareness campaign designed to dispel myths about shelter pets in order to boost adoptions. The campaign just launched a series of new television ads with the tagline, "A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet. Be that person." The campaign is a collaborative effort by The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie's Fund, and the Ad Council.

Here's one of the brand new ads with a few dogs sharing observations about their owners. Take a look!

 

Adopt a Pet Thanksgiving Weekend at 50 - 75% Off

Asheville Humane Society is taking advantage of the traditional Thanksgiving shopping frenzy by holding its own "Fantastic Furry Frenzy" sale on Thanksgiving weekend. On Friday, November 25 (10 AM - 6 PM) and Saturday, November 26 (10 AM - 6 PM), every dog and cat available for adoption will be available at 50 to 75% off the regular adoption fees.

All animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Visit the Adoption Center at 14 Forever Friend Lane in Asheville (behind Deal Motor Cars near the Farmers Market) and find the love of your life just in time for the New Year! Visit www.ashevillehumane.org for additional information.

Shelter Appreciation Week, Nov. 6-12

November 6 through 12 has been designated National Shelter Appreciation Week by the Humane Society of the United States.

It's always great to show your appreciation to your local animal shelter, of course, but please recognize their efforts during this special week. The Humane Society of the United States suggests you get involved with your local shelter in the way you feel most comfortable. For example, you can:

• adopt a homeless animal
• volunteer at the shelter
• provide a temporary foster home for a shelter animal
• donate money or supplies that go directly to animals in need
• become a fan of your local shelter's Facebook page and join in their Facebook discussions
• advocate adopting pets from shelters

 Visit our list of shelters and animal rescue organizations in the Carolina mountains.

Pet Adoptathon, Asheville, Oct. 29-30

Animal Compassion Network (ACN) presents the 12th Annual Prestige Subaru Howl'oween Pet Adoptathon on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 30, from 11 AM to 5 PM. The event will be held at Pet Harmony, 803 Fairview Street, Asheville, and across the street at the Province 620 restaurant on Hendersonville Road.

In addition to cats and dogs available for adoption from area rescue groups, breed rescues, and shelters, there will be costume contests with great prizes, free pet portraits, a low-cost shot clinic, and a Trick-or-Training booth. Mix 96.5 FM will be doing a live remote. Pets, kids, and adults are invited to come in their funniest, cutests, or scariest costumes!

For additional information, visit http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org/

Last Yappy Hour-Asheville, Oct. 27

Asheville Humane Society invites all dogs and their owners to the last Yappy Hour of the season! It will be held on Thursday, October 27 from 4 to 7 PM at Frankie Bones restaurant in Gerber Village. Thanks to Mix 96.5 FM and Paramount Kia Motorcars for sponsoring this Yappy Hour.

There will be treats for canines and humans alike, doggie socializing and some adorable pooches available for adoption. Admission is just $5 per person and all fidos are free!

Last Yappy Hour, Asheville, Oct. 20

Asheville Humane Society invites all dogs and their owners to the last Yappy Hour of the season! It will be held on Thursday, October 20 from 4 to 7 PM in front of Trevinia Restaurant in Biltmore Park. Thanks to Mix 96.5 FM, Trevinia Restaurant and Paramount Kia Motorcars for sponsoring this Yappy Hour.

 

There will be treats for canines and humans alike, doggie socializing and some adorable pooches available for adoption. Admission is just $5 per person and all fidos are free!

  

 

 

"Wags to Riches," Hendersonville, Oct. 22

The Blue Ridge Humane Society will hold a "Wags to Riches" fundraising event on Saturday, October 22 beginning at 6 PM at the Hendersonville Country Club. The stylish evening will include dining and dancing, themed silent auction packages to bid on, and the presentation of the first annual Crystal Paw Award.

Special guests at the event include Diana Walker, award-winning TIME magazine White House photojournalist and Michele Stephenson, former director of photography for TIME. They are the judges for the "Give Us Your Best Shot" pet photo contest and winners will be announced at the event.

Wags to Riches is the society's primary fundraiser for the year. Tickets are $120 per person, part of which is tax deductible, and can be purchased at the Blue Ridge Humane Society thrift shop at 1214 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, or WAG Pet Boutique on Main Street in Hendersonville.

For more information visit the society's website: http://www.blueridgehumane.org

New Home for Watauga Humane Society

Congratulations to the Watauga Humane Society on the opening of their brand new 17,000 square-foot Irma Baker Lyons Adoption and Education Center. The facility is located at 312 Paws Way in Boone, NC.

The Adoption and Education Center is next to the dog park run by the Society, which offers over 3 acres of leash-free fun.

Check out the video below to see the new facility, and keep your eye on the society's website for information about adoption and community events.

 

Furry Friends Benefit Bash, Waynesville, Oct. 13

Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation is hosting the 3rd Annual "Furry Friends Benefit Bash," a fundraising event for Haywood County's lost and abandoned pets, on Thursday, October 13 from 6 to 9 PM. The event will be at The Gateway Club, 37 Church Street, Waynesville.

The Furry Friends Benefit Bash is an evening of fabulous food, fun, music, and live and silent auctions. It includes a seated meal with 4 dinner choices. Tickets are $50 each and seating is limited, so get your tickets today at Sarge's Adoption Center, 256 Industrial Park Drive, Earthworks, 21 N. Main Street, or through Sarge's website: http://www.sargeandfriends.org/

Animal Care Campus Birthday Bash, Asheville, Oct. 1

Hard to believe, but it has been one year since the Buncombe County Animal Care Campus opened.

The Animal Care Campus consists of the new Buncombe County Animal Shelter and the new Asheville Humane Society Adoption & Education Center. These showcase facilities provide homes for the county's stray and surrendered animals and have helped dramatically increase the number of animals' lives saved by Asheville Humane Society -- a 50 percent increase over the previous year, in fact!

Come celebrate the one year birthday of the Animal Care Campus on Saturday, October 1 from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Bring along your doggies to get a free piece of birthday cake, courtesy of Three Dog Bakery. And please bring a gift or two for the animals. This is a great opportunity to visit the Adoption Center -- and it's also a great time to adopt, since to celebrate, every animal available can be adopted for 75 percent off the adoption fee!

The Animal Care Campus is located on Forever Friend Lane, right off Pond Road and Brevard Road, behind Deal Motor Cars and near the Farmers Market. Stop by and celebrate!