Down Dog, a dog bar and yoga studio, has opened for business at 51 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville. The dog bar is open Monday through Saturday, 12 to 9 PM and Sunday 12 to 7 PM.

This information is from the establishment:

Our Bar is An indoor/outdoor dog-friendly space to enjoy craft beer with your favorite pet.

Our space is designed for both humans and dogs in mind. Upon entry, let your dog off-leash to play both inside the bar and outside on our patio. We have play structures and agility equipment to keep them engaged while owners can grab a drink and socialize.

Inside the bar is a ‘Leashed Dog Area’ for anyone that would like to visit but keep their pup on-leash and close by. This is a fenced in area right by the bar, so you can post up and order a beer without having to leave the enclosure.

Dogtenders are on site at all times to monitor your dogs and ensure they’re playing safely. Our staff is trained to look for behavior that is unsuitable for group play, and they may ask owners to move to the leashed area if they witness any repetitive behavior that puts others at risk.

We have 10 rotating taps with local craft beer, cider, and kombucha, as well as a variety of canned and bottled options.

Although we do not have an on-site kitchen, guests are welcome to bring in outside food! Stop by Old School Subs next door and grab a sandwich or take advantage of the many food trucks we have on-site throughout the week.

Please review the Dog Bar Rules before coming: https://www.downdogavl.com/dog-bar-rules

Image: Down Dog

Foothills Humane Society opened its "New Digs for Dogs" building this month. The new 4,000 square foot building has 28 kennels split into 3 different sections. There is even a puppy section complete with its own HVAC system allowing for segregation of mothers and puppies from other adult dogs. Each kennel has epoxy walls and floors for easy sanitation, which ultimately reduces the risk of disease in the shelter dogs. Large windows provide natural lighting that reduces stress and allows for great views of the outdoors. There is access to covered outdoor runs for the dogs that allows them to spend time playing outside in all weather conditions. The building also has a veterinary exam room, laundry room, food storage room, and dog shower. New Digs for Dogs was funded by a matching grant by the Polk County Community Foundation.

Foothills Humane Society is currently doing adoptions and fostering by appointment only Monday through Saturday. Visit their website for more information: https://foothillshumanesociety.org/

Hiking Hounds is one of the most popular Asheville Humane Society volunteer activities. Each month, volunteers take shelter dogs on hikes as part of the enrichment programming. You'll spend a few hours in Bent Creek hiking the trails with dogs who will love you for it.

The next hike is Sunday, May 16.

Spots for two new hikers will be available on each hike.

If you are a new hiker… once you sign up for a hike you will be sent a link to a virtual orientation. You must watch this, and sign a waiver before attending a hike. All new hikers will come on their first hike without a dog; you will be paired with a hiking buddy to become familiar with the process of the program, and make sure this is an activity you will enjoy. 

If you are a seasoned volunteer… you are asked to watch the orientation as a refresher and you will be sent the link when you sign up for a hike.  

Note: New and repeat hikers alike are required to sign up in advance. If you'd like to sign up for this hike, email ahshikinghounds@outlook.com. Hikers are signed up on a "first come-first serve basis" and you must have a confirmed reservation to attend a hike. If you don’t get an email from Hiking Hounds, assume they didn’t get yours! Please be sure you can actually make the hike; if we have late cancellations, a dog gets left behind without a hike.

Start time is 9 AM. Hikes are typically 3-5 miles at a brisk pace with elevation changes and provide vigorous exercise for our volunteer hikers as well. They do not cancel hikes because of rain, as our pups don’t mind getting wet. Hikers generally return to the shelter at 16 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville around 11:30 AM to 12 PM.

Hiking Hounds now operates under these Covid-19 protocols:

We will ask that no one sign up for our hikes if they are at risk or have compromised immune systems. If you sign up and begin to feel ill, we ask that you cancel immediately.

We are asking all volunteers to stay in the parking lot, and not come into the building. The hike leaders will sign in the volunteers and will bring the dogs out to them. AHS is asking that ONLY hike leaders enter the building, no volunteers; anyone in the building must wear a mask. You will not be allowed to use the restroom inside the building, so plan on using the port-a-john at the Arboretum, or the woods. 

Bring hand sanitizer if you have it.

Please bring a leash of your own (if you have one), the fewer objects changing hands the better. 

We will maintain a 6 ft bubble as usual, for the safety of our volunteers and the dog's safety and comfort.  

We will eliminate bandanas and cards about the dogs; we can promote them through social media.

We will have one hiker go ahead of our caravan with all the Arboretum passes. That hiker will alert the security personal at the gate & will swipe ALL the passes so each hiker does not have to handle them.  Please bring a mask with you as the Arboretum requests wearing a mask in common areas.

 When we return to the shelter, all volunteers will again stay outdoors and the hike leaders will come get your dog. This is our normal procedure as our dogs always need social distancing.  

All equipment that we use will be sanitized between hikes. 

For more information visit the Hiking Hounds Facebook page.

$5 Adoption Fees for ALL Dogs & Cats!

Wednesday, May 5 - Saturday, May 15

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM 

(Animals rooms are closed for naptime from 1-2 PM daily) 

BISSELL Pet Foundation is aiming to Empty the Shelters during a national effort on May 5 through 8 by sponsoring reduced adoption fees at 200 participating shelters and rescues in 36 states, including Asheville Humane Society! $5 adoption fees EXTENDED through May 15!

Although the love of a pet is priceless, all of the following are still included when you adopt! Each adoption fee includes spay/neuter, all up-to-date vaccines, behavioral training when appropriate, microchip and free 1-year registration, a free starter bag of food, and a free wellness visit with a participating veterinarian. 

To see available animals, visit www.ashevillehumane.org. The Adoption Center is located at 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville (off Brevard and Pond Roads, near the WNC Farmers Market).

Stop by the Adoption Center from May 5 through 15 and find the love of your life for just $5!