Blue Ridge Humane and the ASPCA are hosting a free pet food giveaway to those in need or affected by COVID-19, on Thursday, June 18, from 9 am-1 pm at the Blue Ridge Humane Society storage facility located at 802 S. Grove Street in Hendersonville, NC.

Cat and dog food will be distributed first come, first serve, as supplies last. Social distancing and protective measures will be taken by all staff and we ask the public to do the same during the drive-thru pick-up.  Additional resources and supplies will also be available.

Image: Blue Ridge Humane Society

Due to COVID-19 Tails and Trails has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 13. All current registrations will be automatically transferred. Registration remains open so bring even more friends with you in June! 

Bring your best human or non-human buddy (better yet, both) with you on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM, for a charity hike up Bearwallow Mountain (4854 Bearwallow Mountain Road, Hendersonville).  Climb the one mile hike up to the beautiful, bald summit of Bearwallow Mountain with fellow conservation loving pet owners to take in the breathtaking views with your furry buddy.

Proceeds benefit Conserving Carolina & Blue Ridge Humane Society. Registration for this event is $20 and includes a t-shirt when registered by March 8. There is no registration cut off.

The hike will start at 10 am at the trail head. All participants–humans and their furry friends–must check in prior to the start of the hike. Proceeds benefit Conserving Carolina & Blue Ridge Humane Society. The registration is $20. Once you register, please check your email for more details as we get closer to the event.

If you have questions, contact Laura at lrice@blueridgehumane.org or 828-692-2639.

Note: Originally a live event, the Angel Pets Expo will now be held online on Saturday, May 2 from 10 AM to 4 PM. For details, visit https://angelpetsexpo.com/ or  https://www.facebook.com/Angel-Pets-Expo-2020-107132260835473/.

Angel Pets Expo has a holistic focus and prides itself on inclusion of all things pet and all stages of pet life and relationship including Young pet care, Adult pet, Senior Pet Care, end-of-life care and healing from pet loss. The Angel Pets Expo is…ALL THINGS PET! There will be vendors and presentations.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit: https://angelpetsexpo.com/

FREE PET FOOD for BUNCOMBE COUNTY RESIDENTS: 

Asheville Humane Society is partnering with the ASPCA to offer FREE cat and dog food for residents impacted by COVID-19. Distribution is by appointment ONLY, so please call the ASPCA hotline at 800-738-9437 to get started.

The following information is reprinted from the828.com as a public service.

Blue Ridge Humane Society is helping pet owners facing hospitalization and financial troubles ensure their companions are cared for, by offering several community resources.

Pet Helpline: You can reach the BRHS Pet Helpline at 828-393-5832. Leave a message and a staffer will be in touch. You can call with concerns about keeping your pet, vet assistance, litter box problems, housing issues, dog training tips, stray neighborhood cats, suspected abuse/neglect, and other issues. You can also submit behavior questions online, and get help from the Training and Behavior Manager.

• Re-Homing: For owners that have found themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to find a new home for their pet, the Humane Society urges them to try re-homing. This takes the load off the local animal shelter and keeps the animal out of a shelter environment, allowing limited resources to be used for other animals like stays or abuse cases. BRHS has partnered with Adopt-a-Pet.com to provide a courtesy re-homing listing for those who would like to find a loving home for a pet without surrendering them to an animal shelter. If you are considering adopting, check the Re-Homing listing as well as your local shelter.
• Community Pet Food Assistance: Blue Ridge Humane Society has partnered with local food banks, helping them to supply  litter, pet food or treats to their clients. By making pet food more accessible, it is our hope that members of our community will no longer have to worry about feeding their furry family members. To find a list of participating banks, click here.
  
  
• Emergency Vet Assistance: Though us not able to assist with existing medical bills, BRHS offers Emergency Veterinary Assistance in times of economic distress. It can provide medical vouchers to assist with emergency veterinary visits prior to your visit.  If you would like more information or to find out if you qualify, call 828-393-5832. You can find a listing of additional assistance groups online as well.
  
  
• BRHS Lost and Found Pet Facebook Group: Join the BRHS Lost and Found Pet Facebook group. This group allows you to not only post if your pet is lost but also help reunite any pets you may find that have become separated from their families and keep pets in temporary loving home while waiting to be reunited with their owner.
  
  
• Spay/Neuter Incentive Program: With support from the City of Hendersonville and with support and collaboration from Henderson County, Blue Ridge Humane Society is able to offer low cost spay-neuter as part of our Spay-Neuter Incentive Program or SNIP. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you cannot schedule an appointment at this time, but you can complete a request for an appointment on our website. The SNIP Coordinator will be in touch when normal scheduling resumes.  Pet owners must be residents of Henderson County in order to get their animals spayed or neutered through the program. SNIP. To learn more or submit an appointment click here.

If you don’t need any pet assistance, the Blue Ridge Humane Society is requesting you share this information with someone who might. You can also help by signing up to volunteer, or by making a donation online, or by calling 828-692-2639.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Asheville Humane Society's Dine to be Kind and Drink to be Kind events are indefinitely postponed. This is Asheville Humane's most important fundraiser of the year. Please consider making a donation at this time. To donate online, visit: https://ashevillehumane.org/donate

Note: Check with the organization to confirm the date of this event.

Join Greenville Humane Society (Greenville, SC) on Saturday, April 25th at 8:30 AM for the 9th Annual Mutt Strut presented by Papa John's! Participants will enjoy a 2-mile walk/run through beautiful Downtown Greenville. Following immediately after, the Mutt Market festival and after party will take place on South Main Street! The streets will be lined with entertainment including live music, free pizza from our presenting sponsor Papa John's, caricature artists, face painters and sponsor tents with plenty of awesome giveaways! Participants over the age of 6 will also receive a swag bag filled with goodies and a race t-shirt. All proceeds from the Mutt Strut go to benefit the animals of the Greenville Humane Society.

For details and to register, visit: http://www.ghsmuttstrut.com/ 

"Strut your mutt" on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 8 AM!

The 3rd Annual Strut Your Mutt: A Casual 5K hosted by Blue Ridge Humane Society, and WTZQ Radio  is a human and pet friendly 5K and 1 Mile walk benefiting Blue Ridge Humane Society. Presented by: Hunter Subaru

Run or walk a section of the beautiful Oklawaha Greenway Trail starting and finishing at the Tails in Town pet festival at the Historic Depot on Maple Street in Downtown Hendersonville’s 7th Avenue District.

Further details and registration at: https://www.blueridgehumane.org/calendar/strut-your-mutt-2020/

Bring your best human or non-human buddy (better yet, both) with you on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 10:00 AM, for a charity hike up Bearwallow Mountain.  Climb the one mile hike up to the beautiful, bald summit of Bearwallow Mountain with fellow conservation loving pet owners to take in the breathtaking views with your furry buddy.

Proceeds benefit Conserving Carolina and Blue Ridge Humane Society. Registration for this event is $25 and includes your choice of a t-shirt or tote bag, and there is no registration cut off.

The hike will start at 10 AM at the trail head. All participants–humans and their furry friends–must check in prior to the start of the hike. Proceeds benefit Conserving Carolina & Blue Ridge Humane Society. The registration is $25 and includes an event shirt if registered by early cut-off. Once you register, please check your email for more details as we get closer to the event.

Additional details at: https://www.blueridgehumane.org/calendar/tails-and-trails-2020/

If you have questions, contact Laura at lrice@blueridgehumane.org or 828-692-2639.

The Asheville Humane Society Thrift Store at 1425 Patton Avenue, Asheville, will hold a Grand Opening Event on Tuesday, March 10. Items will be discounted during the day and all proceeds go to benefit the animals in Asheville Humane's care.

Join Blue Ridge Humane Society at the Champion Hills Clubhouse in Hendersonville, NC on Tuesday, March 24 from 12 to 2 PM. This Benefit Luncheon will feature special guest speaker Adam LeGrand of K9s for Warriors. The event will celebrate the positive impact of animal rescue not just in Henderson County but in the lives of veterans across the nation. Adam will speak directly to the profound effect that a service animal has had in his life, after Molly was rescued from a Henderson County shelter and became a part of the K9s for Warriors Program. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, visit: https://www.blueridgehumane.org/calendar/benefit-luncheon/

Asheville Humane Society and Paws & Effect are working collaboratively to establish a Shelter to Service program in our community. Shelter dogs selected to participate in this effort will be supported and trained to determine their suitability to become therapy, facility and service dogs. We are seeking foster homes to commit to approximately a six month period, which will include weekly classes and regular meetings.

Join Asheville Humane Society to learn more about this exciting opportunity on the following dates:

Wed., Feb. 5 - 6:30 PM

Sat., Feb. 15 - 2:30 PM

Info sessions will be held at Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville.

Please direct any questions to Nicole Shumate at nicoleshumate@paws-effect.org

Image: Asheville Humane Society

Hard 2 Recycle, sponsored by Asheville GreenWorks, is an opportunity to recycle difficult items that are not typically collected during recycling pickup. The next Hard 2 Recycle event will be held on Saturday, January 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at 1298 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC. Items that are accepted and not accepted are listed here: https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/hard-2-recycle.html

Asheville Humane Society will be accepting donations for animals in need. The following items will be accepted:

Does your canine need a coach? Now, Asheville Humane Society offers 6-week training courses for your current or newly-adopted pet! AHS is partnering with Pia Silvani, a canine behavior specialist and trainer, to offer weekly classes for your four-legged friend, including Kindergarten Puppy and Canine Manners. Both courses are open to the public.

Kindergarten Puppy will help your 8- to 16-week-old pup with proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and more. The class meets for 1 hour a week for 6 weeks and is limited to 10 puppies. The first class will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 2 PM (Asheville Humane's Adoption Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane).

Canine Manners will use reward-based training methods to help you bridge the communication gap when teaching your dog basic manners. This 1-hour class (for dogs over the age of 16 weeks) is limited to 8 dogs and will meet once a week for 6 weeks.  The first two Canine Manners classes will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 10 AM or 11:15 AM (Asheville Humane's new Community Center, 1425 Patton Avenue). 

If you sign up for one of these six-week courses, you will receive $15 off by using coupon code "HOLIDAYK9". (Discount is only valid until these three courses sell out.) 

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/asheville-humane-society-28683564225

Pia Silvani is an internationally-recognized dog trainer with over 30 years of experience. Previously, Pia was VP of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center where she developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques. She also served as the Director of Behavioral Rehabilitation at the ASPCA where she led programs to educate shelter professionals in effective behavior rehabilitation techniques, as well as specialized socialization, enrichment, and shelter protocols.

Image: Asheville Humane Society

On Sunday, December 8 from 11 AM to 12 PM, there will be a Pet Honoring Memorial Service at Bright Star Studio, 1712 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville. This is a simple service to remember, bless and honor each pet, their family and our special relationship with them. It is free to add your pet to be honored, and pictures of pets can be added to the ceremony table. Open to the public, the Pet Honoring Memorial Service can be attended in person at Bright Star Studio. You can attend remotely by phone by calling: 1-857-232-0159, ext. 329054.

The Pet Honoring Memorial Service is held at Bright Star Studio the second Sunday of each month. For more information, visit: https://brightstarstudio.net/pet-memorial-service/

Image: Pixabay.com

On Sunday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 6 to 8 PM, your pet can be photographed with Santa at Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Road in Asheville.

Bring your furry friend to meet Santa and capture the moment with a FREE photo package, courtesy of Asheville Outlets. Santa will be waiting inside the Food Court at his holiday home and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will be on-hand to share information on how you can volunteer, foster, or adopt a pet this holiday season.

This event is free to attend. All pets must be on a leash or carrier.

Image: Asheville Outlets

On Saturday, November 16 from 10 AM to 3:30, Watauga Humane Society will be holding a holiday market/craft show to benefit SNIPS low-cost spay/neuter programs for pets in Watauga and Ashe Counties. The event will be held at the Main Gym and Commons lunchroom area in Watauga High School, 300 Go Pioneers Drive, Boone, NC 28607

Harvest- and holiday-themed original crafts will be featured at this sale, with everything from Thanksgiving and Christmas ornaments, decorations and home accents, coaster and trivet sets, to birdseed wreaths, wooden wine bottle holders, pottery bowls and cups, bowl cozies, catnip toys and kick sticks, doggy bandanas and squeaky toys, credit card wallets, quilted travel bags, and a huge array of hand-made jewelry. Prices range from $.50 - $25, with most items under $5. Don’t miss this huge sale!

Wine & Whiskers 2019, presented by David Greiner and James Gray, will be held on Saturday, November 9 from 3 to 5 PM at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 15 Hemlock Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC.

The event will feature food, wine, a silent art auction, and socializing with animal lovers across Mitchell County and beyond. The event benefits Mitchell County Animal Rescue.

This week (November 3 - 10) is National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week. As a dog lover in the Carolina mountains, you are probably already familiar with your local animal shelter or rescue organization. This is the week to show the folks who work there and the animals they serve some love!

Here are ten ways to show your appreciation for your local animal shelter, provided by Rebecca Simmons of the Humane Society of the United States and appearing on Petfinder.com:

1. Adopt a Best Friend. Animals make great companions, but having a pet is a big responsibility and it involves a lifelong commitment. Find out if you have what it takes to provide a safe and loving home and learn more about adopting from your local animal shelter. When you’re ready to adopt go to https://www.petfinder.com to find pets in your area.
2. Take a Tour. Never been inside an animal shelter? Take an hour or two out of your day to stop by your local shelter during public hours and see firsthand how things work. If you’d like to become more involved, find out how you can become a volunteer.
3. Keep on Giving. Many animal shelters struggle financially so every penny helps. Donating to your local shelter is as simple as writing a check and dropping it in the mail or picking up an item on the shelter’s wish list during your next shopping trip.
4. Connect with Kids. Help children learn about the importance of being kind to animals. Find out how easy it is to educate—whether it’s an entire classroom or a single child.
5. Be Committed. Providing quality food, water and shelter is important, but it’s not the only thing involved in being a responsible and caring pet guardian. It’s also essential that your pet has current identification tags and is properly confined or supervised while outdoors. Keep your pet healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations by visiting the veterinarian regularly and give your pet lots of love and attention.
6. Expect the Unexpected. Local shelters are most often on the front lines during natural disasters such as hurricanes. Would you know what to do in the event of a flood, tornado or fire? Learn how to help animals in your community, including your own pet, whether it’s a disaster, an emergency or an accident.
7. Stay Alert. Your local animal shelter and animal control agency not only take in homeless animals, but also rescue injured, abused or neglected critters. Assist them by helping injured animals in your neighborhood, and letting them know if you suspect animal cruelty in your community.
8. Spread the Word. Does the community that your local shelter serves understand and appreciate the shelter’s dedication to animals? Tell your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors about the importance of supporting animal shelters and their staff.
9. Do Your Part. Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the number of homeless pets in your community. Your local animal shelter can help you learn more about why spaying/neutering is important and how you can find affordable options.
10. Two Simple Words. The words “thank you” are powerful. But since animals can’t speak, it’s up to community members to let shelter workers know just how much their commitment to animals is appreciated. Send a letter, card or e-mail to your local shelter and let them know you care.

Image: Pixabay.com

The fresh chill of fall is here and with it comes the warm fuzzy feelings of Give!Local.

Join Mountain Xpress and the Give!Local partner nonprofits for the big kickoff celebration at the Salvage Station on Thursday Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM for an evening of fun and fundraising!

The celebration marks Give!Local's fifth exciting year. You will be able to get to know 45 nonprofit partners and better understand the work they do in the community. Asheville Humane Society and Blue Ridge Humane Society are participating organizations. There will also be a silent auction filled with fabulous things and performances by Heather Taylor and Asheville Choral Society.

The event is free to attend. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Salvage Station.

For questions, please contact Mountain Xpress at 828-251-1333 or email givelocal@mountainx.com