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 county animal shelter and offer adoption programming.
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
