Asheville, NC (June 5, 2026) ─ Asheville Humane Society (AHS) is reimagining its intake process with the launch of its Pet Help Center, a resource designed to better serve the pets and people of Buncombe County by providing compassionate services to those in need.
Located within Buncombe County Animal Shelter, the Pet Help Center serves as the community support and intake team in partnership with the county shelter.
The Pet Help Center helps people navigate issues involving pets in Buncombe County, including lost and found pets, rehoming support, pet retention resources, owner surrender requests, end-of-life services, and basic shelter services.
“Our goal is to help pets stay safe, stay with their families whenever possible, and do the best we can to make intake decisions that are in the best interest of pets and their families,” said Tracy Elliott, executive director of AHS. “We believe we can do more for our community by intentionally providing resources and counseling before taking in an animal.”
Lost and Found Pets
Animals are far more likely to be reunited with their owners when they remain in the area where they were found before needing to be brought to the shelter.
People who have found or lost a pet can call the Pet Help Center at 828-250-6430 for assistance with filing lost or found reports, guidance on next steps and other resources that can help pet reunification happen without the animal ever setting foot in the shelter.
Owner Support and Pet Surrender
In many cases, surrendering a pet can be prevented with temporary assistance such as food or medical care. Pet owners are encouraged to call 828-250-6430 when they are in need, before the issue becomes critical.
“Sometimes it only takes a small amount of support to prevent a pet from entering the shelter unnecessarily,” said Adam Cotton, director of Community Solutions at AHS. “We also understand that some situations genuinely require surrender and are not here to shame anyone asking for help.”
The Pet Help Center team can help people determine if surrendering their pet is the best option and provide kind, careful guidance through a difficult situation.
“This is the quiet power of our work,” Cotton said. “We meet people in their hardest moments, and if we do it right, those moments don’t just resolve. They ripple outward, build trust and change communities for the better.”
About the Pet Help Center
The Pet Help Center is part of Asheville Humane Society and serves as the community support and intake team for the Buncombe County Animal Shelter.
The Pet Help Center works closely with but is separate from Buncombe County Animal Crimes/Animal Control. The PHC does not handle animal cruelty and neglect investigations, dangerous animals, bite investigations, rabies enforcement or injured wildlife calls. For those issues, please call 828-250-6670 or call 911 if after-hours or an immediate emergency.
About Asheville Humane Society
Since 1984, Asheville Humane Society has dedicated itself to ensuring every animal has the quality of life they deserve—a life worth living. Now, we go beyond our walls to help create a more humane community for pets and the people who love them.
We’re more than an animal shelter, we’re a lifeline. Through personalized adoptions, education opportunities, volunteering, fostering, emergency resources, and cutting-edge care innovations, we are working to go above and beyond animal sheltering.
