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 with the Hiking Hounds group is Sunday, June 30.  Start time is 9 AM for repeat hikers and 8:30 AM for new hikers. 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.

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.

For more information visit the Hiking Hounds Facebook page.

On Saturday, July 13, Cisco Pilates will hold a "Pilates with Puppies" class from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption & Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville (off Brevard and Pond Roads near the WNC Farmers Market).

Pilates with Puppies will be a basic Pilates class, with puppies provided by Asheville Humane Society. Please bring your own yoga or Pilates mat and a small towel. Please do not bring your own puppy! The cost is $15, which is a donation to Asheville Humane Society on behalf of Buncombe County animals.

Pre-registration is required and these classes are very popular. Early registration is suggested as space is limited and this event is expected to sell out! Visit https://www.ciscopilates.com/pricing/ to sign up. Questions? Email alexis@ciscopilates.com

Image: Cisco Pilates

Mitchell County Animal Rescue (MCAR) offers low cost spay/neuter for your pet. The cost for male cats is $43, for female cats and all dogs the price is $60. MCAR may have special assistance available for low-income families through their Community Care Spay/Neuter Fund. Ask them about it.

Call or stop by the MCAR shelter during business hours to make arrangements. The shelter is located at 2492 US Highway 19E, Spruce Pine, NC  28777. It is open Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, Wed. from 10 AM to 12 PM and Sat. from 10 AM to 2 PM.

If you have proof of vaccinations for your pet please bring them for MCAR to copy. There will be a $10 charge for rabies vaccination if needed. Distemper booster shots are available for $10. Pets must travel in a hard shell plastic carrier. If you need to rent one the cost is $5. All arrangements and payment must be made in advance. Your pet's appointment will be another date. The MCAR veterinarian can spay or neuter puppies and kittens at age 12 weeks and 2.5 lbs.

For more information visit https://www.mitchellcountyanimalrescue.org/services

Check out all the animals available for adoption too!

Get ready for the Battle of the Barktender on Wednesday, June 26 from 6 to 8:30 PM at the Casual Pint, 1863 Hendersonville Rd. in South Asheville!

Blue Ridge Humane and the Council on Aging will each supply a bartender for the night and see who raises the most tips! All funds raised will go towards the joint PetPals program which provides food, health and wellness checks, and more for pet owners in the Meals on Wheels program in Henderson County. Bring your friends, your tips, and get ready for a fun night supporting TWO awesome non-profits!

Did you know the Animal Care Campus in Asheville is one of the country's leading examples of a private-public partnership in animal welfare? Asheville Humane Society and Buncombe County work in close collaboration to take in, care for, re-home, and adopt out thousands of domestic animals each year. Their collective goal is to save every adoptable animal's life and make each animal's life worth living.

Now you have the opportunity to see first-hand why the Animal Care Campus is a national model. Asheville Humane Society is hosting a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the society's Adoption Center (14 Forever Friend Lane) and the Buncombe County Animal Shelter (16 Forever Friend Lane) on Saturday, June 22, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. The tour is free and open to the public. No reservation required.

The Animal Care Campus is located on Forever Friend Lane, off Pond Road and Brevard Road, near the WNC Farmers Market. For more information, call (828) 761-2001.