Naming of the Nancy H. Clark Adoption & Education Center

Buncombe County Friends for Animals was founded in 1984 by a group of citizens concerned about conditions they had observed at the animal shelter. From the beginning, the founders of what would later become Asheville Humane Society dreamed of a new shelter and adoption center to serve the homeless animals of Buncombe County. Through the years, many dedicated people nurtured the vision, but the leadership of one individual has brought us to this moment in time. “The hardest part of any project is getting it started,” states Carole Hartness, AHS Board Chair. “Even though it’s taken many people doing lots of work for over twenty years, Nancy Clark has been the driving force. Naming the building for Nancy is our way of saying thank you and honoring the incredible work she has done.”
 
Nancy Clark was president of the Asheville Humane Society Board of Directors from 2002 to 2006. During that time, Nancy along with Shelly Moore, AHS Executive Director, cultivated the vision with a feasibility study, visits to other facilities, discussions with Buncombe County , creation of a project steering committee, enlisting of local celebrities Andie MacDowell and Brad Daugherty to serve as spokespeople, and securing of architect Robert Griffin and builder Rick Flemming . By the time Nancy ’s tenure as board president was complete, more than $2 million had been raised, key contracts were in place, and the project was ready for implementation.
 
“It was an intense four years of tons of work that was sometimes joyful and sometimes difficult, but so meaningful,” recalls Nancy . “When we took people on shelter tours, it reminded us how utterly imperative this project was, not just for the animals but for the people of our community. Soon we will have a family-friendly adoption center where our community can joyfully welcome a new pet into their lives. It has been my privilege to be a part of this project.”
 
Nancy has loved animals her entire life, taking her first steps toward her collie, Laddie, who was her constant companion from birth. On family trips, Nancy recalls sitting in the footwell of the car while reading him a book about seeing eye dogs to keep his carsickness at bay. Since then, she has had birds, cats, dogs, hamsters, a horse, and even rescued two Great Horned Owls. Originally from Lansing , Michigan, Nancy has had a varied career path, including being the first female deputy sheriff animal control officer in Ingham County, Michigan in the 1970’s, Vice President/Director of four hospitals, and an ordained Unity minister. “Animals are a huge part of my spiritual life,” says Nancy . “As a minister, they teach me devotion, pure heartedness, and joy.”

Nancy describes her husband, Rick Clark , as her “total partner,” both in her love of animals and her efforts with AHS. They currently have two rescue Yorkies – Jello and Pip – who follow in a lineage of many beloved dogs, and a horse, Takhi.