Join Mitchell County Animal Rescue for "Paws in the Park" on Saturday, August 24 on the Creek Walk in Bakersville to celebrate thirty-five years of serving animals in need.

This free "Thank You" event is for all the community support MCAR has received that made it possible to do what they do each and every day. There will be food, music, storytelling, a bouncy house, and a "Strut Your Mutt" dog walk event.
Get your family and friends to sponsor you and your pooch while you strut your stuff and help the pets at MCAR!

Fun family activities will include:

• Strut Your Mutt” dog walk event  

• Dog contests: longest ears, best howl, best costume, talent show

• Dog party - with dog treats

• Pet photo shoot

• Food: Hot dogs, “Pupcorn,” and more

• Music by Hot Duck Soup

• Storytelling by Sherry Lovett

• For kids - inflatable bouncy house 

• For kids -  animal-themed art project/ art table, face painting

For more information visit https://www.mitchellcountyanimalrescue.org/paws-in-the-park

Hurricanes and floods are a reality of summer and fall in the Carolina mountains. The ASPCA offers some good advice about disaster planning for dog owners:

Ready Your Dog

• Make sure your dog is wearing ID tags with your most up-to-date contact information.
• Microchip your dog as a more permanent form of identification—in case collars or tags come off.
• Train your dog to feel comfortable going into a crate with regular in-crate sessions with treats.
• Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home in a crisis.

Prepare Your Home

• Ideally, you should evacuate with your pet, but if you are unable to do so, a rescue alert sticker placed near your front door will let first responders know that you have a dog inside your home.
• If sheltering in place, consider these things when choosing your safe room:
  • Be aware of hazards such as windows, flying debris, etc.
  • Utility rooms, bathrooms and unfinished basements may be easier to clean if your pet has an accident.
  • Having a supply of fresh water is particularly important. In areas that may lose electricity, fill up bathtubs and sinks ahead of time to ensure that you have access to water during a power outage or other crises.
  • In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home, or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your animals can take shelter.

Create an Emergency Kit

• Obtain a crate that comfortably fits your dog, write your dog’s name and your contact information on a piece of duct tape and stick it on the outside of the crate in case you become separated from your dog.
• Make a portable emergency kit that includes the following:
  • Medical records
  • Water (7 days’ worth of bottled)
  • Water bowls
  • Pet food (3-7 days’ worth of canned food with pop tops or dry food)
  • Pet’s medications
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Dish soap and disinfectant
  • Disposable garbage bags for cleanup
  • Extra collar, harness and leash
  • Flashlight
  • Blanket
  • Recent photos of your dog (hard copy in case your phone dies)
  • Toys

Consider putting the kit inside the crate and storing near an exit.

Image: Pixabay.com

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, Aug. 25.  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.

Full Moon Farm is an organization dedicated to the well being of the wolfdog (wolf hybrid). Situated on 17 beautiful mountain acres in Black Mountain, NC, the sactuary operates as a not-for-profit organization for abused and refused wolfdogs who find themselves in need of love, shelter, and care through no fault of their own. Full Moon Farm provides a safe haven for animals that cannot be placed into homes for the rest of their lives. 

You have the opportunity to visit this unique farm during the Full Moon Farm "Howl-In" on Saturday, August 17. Gates open at 3 PM and tours of the Farm begin at 3:15 PM.  Potluck supper begins at 5:00 PM.  A $5 donation includes main dish and water/soft drinks. Bring a side dish and join the fun! Visit the Gift Den for handcrafted jewelry and artwork.

For information and directions, call (828) 664-9818 or email info@fullmoonfarm.org (Please note: On the day of the event, it is best to call, as the email account will be unmonitored).

If you cannot attend, please note that Full Moon Farm is desperately in need of donations! For more about the organization, visit https://www.fullmoonfarm.org/ 

Image: Full Moon Farm

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, Aug. 18.  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.