About Us
Who is the Asheville Humane Society?
Asheville Humane Society, originally founded as Buncombe County Friends For Animals in 1984, is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization focused on saving lives of homeless animals. The organization is governed by an active, volunteer Board of Directors and supported by more than 3,000 active donors. Asheville Humane Society contracts with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville to operate the Buncombe County Animal Shelter.
On September 14, 2010, the Animal Care Campus for Buncombe County opened. The campus is comprised of two, separate facilities: the Buncombe County Shelter and the Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center. The Buncombe County Animal Shelter houses the Buncombe County Sherriff Department's Animal Services division, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's Veterinary Medical Technology program, and the shelter for animals in transition. Asheville Humane Society contracts to operate the sheltering program.
Asheville Humane Society transfers adoptable animals into their immediately adjacent Adoption Center through the Walk of Life which connects both buildings. Asheville Humane Society Adoption program is responsible for saving the lives of more than 1,500 dogs and cats annually through adoption placements.
Mission of Asheville Humane Society
Asheville Humane Society is dedicated to promoting the compassionate treatment of animals in our community through education, sheltering and adoption.History
Asheville Humane Society was formed in 1984 as Buncombe County Friends for Animals Inc., primarily as a governing body for the County Pet Adoption Center and Animal Shelter, which was previously operated by the County. Asheville Humane Society has operated the Shelter since September 1990. On July 1, 1996, we started operating and enforcing Animal Control within Buncombe County. On October 1, 1997, we began providing animal control services for the city of Asheville as well. In late 2002, due to state budget shortfalls, the City of Asheville elected to take City Animal Control back under its police department. In July of 2006 the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department, with the advice and direction of AHS, once again began providing animal control in the unincorporated parts of the county. AHS still provides sheltering services for Buncombe County, including all of its municipalities.
Administration & Shelter Staff
