Today we recognize our furry, scaly, hairy, and shell-bearing friends during International Homeless Animals Day. Asheville and the greater WNC area have so many wonderful, local organizations dedicated to pet rescue with the goal of no homeless animals. Getting involved volunteering with one of WNC’s many groups, adopting a pet from a local shelter, and bringing your new friend with you around town are just a few ways to recognize this special day.

Area Rescues

If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend (or several) to your home, there are plenty of area rescues to choose from. There are breed-specific rescues for many dogs, humane societies with lovable mutts, and cat-only rescues that focus on the unique needs of felines. Some of the rescues in the area we recommend include:

Resources for Stray and Homeless Animals

No matter how hard we try, solving the homeless animal crisis sometimes feels like an impossible task – but every bit of energy put towards the cause helps! Some area groups help manage populations of feral cats by trapping, neutering, and releasing. If you ever see a stray cat with the tip of their ear docked, that indicates they’ve been through the program and neutered before being returned to their location. This helps to control further feral breeding which leads to more and more cats roaming the streets hungry. Check out Friends 2 Ferals here in Asheville if you’d like to donate your time or funds to this foundation. Alternatively, a need often overlooked is the animal care needed for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. The Street Dog Coalition provides free veterinary care to their pets, and helps them to stay united with their loving companion while they work to secure housing.

Getting Involved

If you aren’t in a position to adopt right now, that’s okay! There are other ways to get involved and help animals in need. All of the rescue organizations listed above survive thanks to the generosity of volunteers. Maybe you can open your doors by fostering, which means temporarily keeping a cat or dog until a permanent home is found. This helps them to socialize and keeps them out of cages until they move in with their new family. Another valuable way to help is to volunteer at the shelter to clean the facilities and care for animals. Plus, it’s a great way to get exercise yourself while helping the pups get out for some exciting sniffs! Most rescues need regular donations of towels, blankets, treats, and food, or you can donate financially so they can purchase what they need at that time. Lastly, seek out business such as Asheville Humane Thrift Store or Second Chances Thrift Store, which donate 100% of their profits to benefit animals in need.

Pet-Friendly Spots in Asheville

Asheville is known as a very pet-friendly place to live. If you can provide a loving home to a cat or dog, they can be a part of your everyday life in and outside your home. Most area breweries allow dogs outdoors. Restaurants with patios also typically allow pets. There are even dog-specific businesses like the Wag Bar in Woodfin and Down Dog on Sweeten Creek. If you have a brave and adventurous cat who likes to hang with you with a leash, backpack, or stroller, they’re welcome in most places too. Just be sure to check with any local business you plan to visit with your pet to be sure that they’re allowed in on the fun.

Are you looking for a new home for you and your pets? Contact Zachery Adam and the team at GoPrime in West Asheville to see how we can help.