Buncombe County Animal Shelter
The Buncombe County Animal Shelter is located next door to Asheville Humane Society's Adoption Center and serves as a hub of resources for animals in need in Buncombe County.
Shelter Services
Rabies Vaccines
Rabies vaccines are $5 at the Buncombe County Animal Shelter, and no appointment is needed. Vaccines are available during the Shelter's normal business hours from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Lost & Found
Pet Surrender
End of Life Service
If humane euthanasia is the only option to ease your pet's pain, we can provide low-cost end-of-life services.
Directions
The Buncombe County Animal Shelter is located next door to Asheville Humane Society’s Adoption Center at 16 Forever Friend Lane.
Hours of Operation
The Buncombe County Animal Shelter does not operate the same hours as the Adoption Center. We are closed on Sundays and all recognized Buncombe County holidays.
FAQs
Asheville Humane Society is fortunate that we do not have to euthanize for space or time; however, we do humanely euthanize medically or behaviorally compromised animals that we cannot treat or rehabilitate within our resources. We strive to ensure that every animal entrusted to us is given the quality of life they deserve – a life worth living.
Asheville Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do however hold the County contract for animal sheltering. This means that we are the open-admission shelter for all Buncombe County animals. AHS and Buncombe County have had this relationship since 1984. The Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center (red building on the left) is located at 14 Forever Friend Lane. It is owned and operated by AHS and serves as our adoption facility. The Buncombe County Animal Shelter (gray building on the right) is located just next door at 16 Forever Friend Lane. It is owned by Buncombe County, but operated entirely by AHS staff, and serves as our intake facility.
Asheville Humane Society is contracted to operate the Buncombe County Animal Shelter. The Buncombe County Animal Shelter is only the only open admission shelter in the County. This means that we take in and care for all strays found in Buncombe County that are brought to us by the public or Animal Services. Additionally, we take any animals that are seized by Animal Services in Buncombe County. Finally, we take in owner surrenders from Buncombe County residents if they are no longer able to care for their animals. We do however require an appointment to surrender an animal. This ensures that we have the capacity to properly care for all of the animals that come into our shelter.
Please note that any stray animal that comes into the shelter without a microchip or identification will be on a “stray hold” for 72 business hours (excludes Sundays and County Holidays) as mandated by the state and county. During this time, the animal will be posted on the “Found” page of our website. This is updated automatically in real time. After the stray hold ends, the animal may be placed for immediate adoption in order to ensure that we have space for other incoming animals.
If you have an animal related emergency outside of the Buncombe County Animal Shelter’s hours of operation, you can contact Asheville Animal Services within the city limits at (828) 252-1110. Outside of the city limits, but in Buncombe County, you can contact Buncombe County Animal Services at (828) 250-6670.
Asheville Humane Society has no enforcement authority. To report animal neglect or cruelty, please contact Asheville Animal Services within the city limits at (828) 252-1110. Outside of the city limits, but in Buncombe County, you can contact Buncombe County Animal Services at (828) 250-6670.
Unfortunately, AHS cannot take stray animals found outside of Buncombe County. Our goal is to reunite lost animals with their families. If the animal is found outside of Buncombe County and brought to our shelter, his/her owners may not be looking for their animal here, this dramatically decreases the chances of the animal being reunited with their family. Additionally, AHS is contracted by the County to care for the animals and provide services to the residents of Buncombe County. As a result, we are unable to take in animals from outside of our County.
The Community Sheltering Center (CSC) is a comprehensive redesign of the traditional intake process at the shelter. The new center combines our Community Solutions Department and our Admitting to provide real-time solutions and resources to keep pets out of the of the shelter and in loving homes.