Shelter Questions

Where do you get your animals from?

The adoptable animals come from two sources: owners who can no longer care for their pets, and stray animals. Animals are brought to the shelter by either Animal Control or individuals. Stray animals are moved straight into our stray room. They are held for at least 72 hours while we try to find the owner. During that time, the public may not view the animals. Only people who are missing pets and who file a lost pet report are allowed in the stray room. After 72 hours, if the animal is not claimed, then it is evaluated for adoptions. Owner-relinquished animals are evaluated for adoptions as soon as they are brought in. 

The adoptable animals come from two sources: owners who can no longer care for their pets, and stray animals. Animals are brought to the shelter by either Animal Control or individuals. Stray animals are moved straight into our stray room. They are held for 72 hours while we try to find the owners. During that time, the public may not view the animals. Only people who are missing pets and who file a lost pet report are allowed in the stray room. After 72 hours, if the animal is not claimed, we become legal custodian according to state law. We become legal custodian of owner-relinquished pets as soon as the owner signs the relinquishment paperwork. Once an animal is under our care, it is evaluated for adoption.

How do you decide which animals to make available for adoption?

Animals are evaluated in the following three areas:

Health

Although we provide some medical treatment for animals in our custody, we do not have the resources to treat costly or chronic conditions. Animals with minor health problems are treated when resources allow before being placed for adoption; animals with more serious problems may not be placed for adoption.

Temperament

We do not place any animal for adoption that has shown signs of aggression or has an aggressive history. Similarly, animals that are not socialized to people and who might bite humans in fear are not considered adoptable. Finally, animals relinquished for severe and chronic behavior problems are not adopted.

Available Space

Because we accept any and all animals from Buncombe County and never turn an animal away, space to house them is limited. Unfortunately there are times when there are more animals entering the shelter than available cages and homes for them.  When this situation arises very difficult decisions must be made and only the highly adoptable animals will remain or be placed up for adoption.  Many factors are taken into consideration when this occurs and much effort is made to avoid euthanizing animals for space alone.

How many animals come into your shelter each year? How many animals come into your shelter each year?

The number varies, however last year we received 7,348 animals at our shelter with 3588 were dogs and 3492 were cats. This includes stray animals picked up by Animal Control officers, litters of young animals turned in by overwhelmed owners of fertile animals, animals turned in by owners who are moving or who for other reasons have decided to end their pet ownership,  wild animals, and animals seized in cruelty cases, brought in by owners for euthanasia, and other reasons.

How many animals do you adopt each year?

Again, the number may vary year to year; last year, 1,786 animals left our shelter for new homes, and another 444 left our shelter for placement through other animal organizations.

In addition, 688 animals were reclaimed from the shelter by their owners. This figure does not include animals we were able to reunite with their owners through our lost and found program prior to the animals entering the shelter.

Why aren't you a no-kill shelter?

Sadly, the math is unalterable: if we take in 7,348 stray or abandoned animals each year, and we're able to find homes for only 2,918 of these animals, that means that 4,342 animals have nowhere to go.

Pet overpopulation is a community problem that will only be solved if all organizations and the people of Buncombe County work together. Working as a community is the only way to decrease euthanasia, increase adoptions and increase the number of animals that are spayed and neutered. 

Please encourage your friends, neighbors and relatives to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group rather than purchasing a pet.

How much does it cost to drop off a pet?

There is no fee required to admit a pet into our custody; however, since we are a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to care for these animals, we do encourage donations.

What do I need to drop off an animal?

Since we can only receive animals from within Buncombe County and its municipalities you will need a photo ID with proof of a current Buncombe County residence, unless however you have found a stray within Buncombe County then a photo ID and current address as well as the specific location of pick up within Buncombe County.   There is no fee to bring animals into the shelter; however any support you can provide through monetary donation is greatly appreciated and needed.  Providing a medical and behavior history is vitally important to the adoption evaluation, so veterinarian records or personal write ups are beneficial.  Even for stray animals the information you can provide on how the animal behaved in your care is important as well as your previous efforts to locate the owner. 

How many animals do you euthanize each year?

Most animals leave our shelter through one of three means: they are returned to their owners, they are adopted by new owners, or they are euthanized. Remaining cases (e.g., animals that are transferred to rescue groups) account for less than two percent of our animals.

A large part of our mission is to operate the County shelter where no animal from Buncombe County is turned away. The math is unalterable. We received 7,348 animals last year; we adopted, transferred, or returned to their original owners 2,918 animals.  Last year, we euthanized 4,342 animals.

But there is good news: due to the efforts of animal control, our shelter staff and volunteers, Humane Alliance, and other animal advocates in our community, the euthanasia rate is steadily dropping. With everyone's continued work, we will one day achieve our goal of becoming a community in which no healthy animal is euthanized due to a lack of a loving home. 

Do you euthanize animals?

Yes, we are an open admission shelter. There are often more animals admitted  to our shelter than there are people who come to adopt. Tragically, we must sometimes euthanize.

How do you euthanize animals?

It is a very peaceful process for the animal. We euthanize animals by injection with a substance called sodium pentobarbital. Essentially, the animal falls asleep within a few minutes.

Who do I call if I need an animal picked up?

Buncombe County Animal Control – 828-253-1195
Asheville City Animal Control – 828-252-1110

Do you pick up wildlife?

We do not pick up wildlife. Please contact animal control who may pick up the animal depending on the circumstances. 

Buncombe County Animal Control – 828-253-1195
Asheville City Animal Control – 828-252-1110