Last Updated on February 1, 2024
A dog (or cat or horse or bunny…) is man’s best friend. But pets need best friends, too. At Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, we believe that everyone has a right to find what feels like home. That includes our best friends and four-legged neighbors across Western North Carolina.
Let’s take a look at organizations dedicated to finding fur-ever homes for furry residents in our community. Here are our favorite local nonprofits that support animals in WNC.
Skip ahead! Find animal nonprofits in WNC near you:
- 5 animal nonprofits near Asheville
- 4 animal nonprofits near Brevard
- 4 animal nonprofits near Hendersonville
- 3 animal nonprofits near Waynesville
- 1 animal nonprofit near Highlands/Cashiers
- Support what feels like HOME
5 animal nonprofits near Asheville
Asheville Cat Weirdos
What began in 2016 as a Facebook page for silly cat photos has evolved into an important resource for financially strapped pet owners. The Asheville Cat Weirdos Emergency Fund helps cat owners cover the costs of vet visits and treatments, as well as pet medications, during times of financial strain. In 2023 alone, the Asheville Cat Weirdos Emergency Veterinary Assistance program helped 230 cats, covering a total of $132,000 in medical bills for their owners. Contribute to the emergency fund today!
Asheville Humane Society
Since 1984, the Asheville Humane Society has worked to protect cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, and other animals in Buncombe County. And their adoption center relies 100% on private donations to operate, receiving no government funding. The organization is always in need of operational items (e.g., laundry detergent, bath towels, copier paper, trash bags), pet food, and animal training and enrichment items. Donate to their Adoption Center or purchase directly from their Amazon and Chewy wish lists.
14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville | (828) 761-2001 | ashevillehumane.org
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue was founded in 2007 to provide resources and life-saving programs to build a no-kill community, where no dogs or cats are killed for population control. They offer a low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinic, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, and extensive volunteer and foster networks. In addition to their adoption center in the heart of Asheville, Brother Wolf operates a thrift store and retail store whose proceeds help fund lifesaving pet programs. Help support thousands of pets each year. Give today.
31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville | (828) 505-3440 | bwar.org
Mountain Pet Rescue
Mountain Pet Rescue is a foster-based animal rescue serving cats and dogs in the Asheville area. Through grassroots efforts, MPR envisions a future in which all companion animals find loving homes where they are able to receive the care and respect they deserve. The organization also operates a thrift store, The Thrift Hound, that helps generate funds for the animals in their care. Join their efforts through adopting, volunteering, or fostering.
234 New Leicester Highway, Asheville | mountainpetrescueavl.org
Yancey County Humane Society
Located in Burnsville, half an hour northeast of Asheville, Yancey County Humane Society shelters, rehabilitates, and adopts dogs and cats within the county into permanent loving homes. The grounds of the Yancey County Humane Society have everything pets and owners will love. Enjoy the large outdoor dog park with covered sitting spaces, ample flat grassy space for off-leash playing, dog waste bag dispensers, toys, a memorial garden, and even a beautiful pond and waterfall. Show your support—Shop the Barkin’ Basement or come out for Yappy Hour. Read more about Yancey County Humane Society.
211 Kind Hearts Way, Burnsville | (828) 682-9510 | yanceyhumanesociety.org
Everyone deserves a fur-ever home! Find what feels like home for you and your pets. Search homes for sale in Asheville.
4 animal nonprofits near Brevard in WNC
Citizens Helping Animals of Transylvania (C.H.A.T.)
Are you looking for the opportunity to actively help local animals in Brevard, NC? C.H.A.T. is an all-volunteer group dedicated to giving their time for this great cause. C.H.A.T. hosts adoption days at the Transylvania County Animal Shelter, as well as outdoor adoption events at various venues throughout the county. The group also holds fundraisers and campaigns for their cause at local outdoor events, such as the White Squirrel Festival, Fall Festival, and Twilight Tours. Join their team to help make sure every dog, cat, puppy, and kitten get that fighting chance.
245 Cherry Street, Brevard | (828) 384-8388 | transylvaniavolunteers.org
Labor of Love Transport Rescue
Labor of Love (LOL) Transport Rescue is a foster-based, all-volunteer rescue organization. They are dedicated to saving dogs in WNC and Upstate SC shelters from euthanasia by transporting them to partner rescues in the Northeast. Every dime donated goes directly to the dogs in their care. Thanks to generous donors, LOL is able to save more than 600 dogs each year. Donate today.
facebook.com/LOLtransportrescue
Transylvania Animal Alliance Group
The Transylvania Animal Alliance Group (TAAG) has a simple mission: “To reduce the number of homeless cats, to decrease euthanasia rates in Western North Carolina, and to increase the survival rates of orphaned/abandoned neonates.” But the work they do is far from simple. This foster-based adoption network is committed to helping all the animals in their care until they find forever homes. TAAG is always looking for donors, volunteers, pet sponsors, and foster homes. Reach out to make a difference today.
P.O. Box 844, Brevard | (828) 966-3166 | taagwags.org
White Squirrel Institute
Did you know that Brevard, NC has a unique population of white squirrels? They are a color variant of one of our native species, the Eastern Gray Squirrel, and can be spotted throughout the county and surrounding area. The White Squirrel Institute keeps a census of the cute critters and helps facilitate the conservation and preservation of the subspecies. By “adopting” a white squirrel through their site, you can help support licensed wildlife rehabilitators in their efforts to save injured white squirrels and other wildlife in Transylvania County.
175 E Main Street, Brevard | (828) 548-0491 | whitesquirrelinstitute.org
Everyone deserves a fur-ever home! Find what feels like home for you and your pets. Search homes for sale in Brevard.
4 animal nonprofits near Hendersonville
Blue Ridge Humane Society
Blue Ridge Humane Society serves the Hendersonville area through adoption, collaboration, and community education. Their mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and improve their quality of life through several ongoing programs and services. In addition to the adoption center, BRHS manages a spay/neuter incentive program (SNIP), pet helpline, training classes, and owner education. They also offer low-cost vaccines, community pet food assistance, and emergency vet assistance. Please consider donating today! Read more about BRHS.
88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville | (828) 692-2639 | blueridgehumane.org
Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue
Charlie’s Angels was founded in 2009 to rescue animals from what was then Transylvania County’s high-kill animal shelter. In 2012, the nonprofit expanded its scope of services and opened Safe Haven, a no-kill shelter in Fletcher. They also expanded their service area in order to help rescue homeless, abandoned, and often neglected animals from shelters in surrounding counties. Today, they are one of the leading animal rescue groups in WNC, and operate without any government funding. Show you “CAAR” and support their cause today.
5526 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher | (828) 885-DOGS (3647) | charliesangelsanimalrescue.com
Foothills Humane Society
Foothills Humane Society (FHS) is a private, nonprofit, no-kill animal nonprofit in WNC located on 11 acres in Polk County. FHS began in 1957 as the volunteer-operated Polk County Animal Protection Society, with no facility. Today, the dedicated staff shelters and cares for stray and surrendered companion animals, reunites lost animals with their owners, adopts animals to qualified homes, and educates the public about responsible animal ownership and population control. Support their mission by donating, adopting, fostering, or volunteering. Read more about FHS.
989 Little Mountain Road, Columbus | (828) 863-4444 | foothillshumanesociety.org
Forever Dream Senior Dog Sanctuary
Much attention is paid to young and healthy animals who are easier to adopt out. Forever Dream focuses their efforts on finding lifetime homes for senior dogs. They offer a sanctuary and forever hospice home for toy breeds, 10 pounds and under, senior, and special needs dogs. Through their work, they strive to raise awareness of the joys and challenges of living and caring for aging dogs, emphasizing the positive aspects of their life in retirement. Support Forever Dream by volunteering, sponsoring a senior, or contributing to their wish list.
P.O. Box 521, Tryon | (828) 817-0859 | foreverdreamseniordogsanctuary.org
Everyone deserves a fur-ever home! Find what feels like home for you and your pets. Search homes for sale in Hendersonville.
3 animal nonprofits near Waynesville
FUR of WNC
Feline Urgent Rescue (FUR) of WNC consists solely of volunteers who share a passion for helping homeless cats. They accomplish their mission through the foster and adoption of socialized cats using a comfortable, cage-free environment for unadopted cats, including ferals and those unlikely to find permanent homes. They also conduct public education on anti-cruelty, the importance of spay/neuter programs, and care for homeless cats through foster and adoption. Support FUR of WNC by attending one of their events or getting involved today!
38 Safe Haven Drive, Waynesville | (844) 888-CATS (2287) | furofwnc.org
Hope for Horses
In 1999, Hope for Horses was established to find quality homes for the many unwanted, neglected, and abused horses in our area. The nonprofit organization also provides sanctuary for equines that cannot be adopted due to health, behavioral, or other reasons. Additionally, Hope for Horses is committed to helping responsible horse owners keep and care for their horses. They are always looking for volunteers to care for and work with the horses. Reach out today to offer some hope and make a difference!
160 N Main Street, Suite 2, Waynesville | (828) 683-0160 | hopeforhorses.org
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation
In 2005, a healthy Sarge the Dog entered Haywood County Animal Shelter, but was euthanized just one hour before rescue transport arrived. After that event, local volunteers formed a rescue foundation in his name. Today, Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation rescues animals for adoption or transport to a no-kill shelter or breed-specific rescue group. Sarge’s facilitates pet adoptions directly from the Haywood County Shelter and manages the volunteer programs for both the shelter and Sarge’s Adoption Center. Donate and foster to save a pet like Sarge. Read more about Sarge’s.
256 Industrial Park Drive, Suite B, Waynesville | (828) 246-9050 | sarges.org
Everyone deserves a fur-ever home! Find what feels like home for you and your pets. Search homes for sale in Waynesville.
1 animal nonprofit near Highlands/Cashiers
Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society
Since 1987, the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society has operated as a nonprofit to rescue, provide compassionate care, and find forever homes for thousands of abandoned and neglected animals in WNC. CHHS brings people and pets together in many compassionate ways. Among them, they reach out to local schoolchildren with humane education programs teaching responsible pet ownership and the importance of spay/neuter. And they brighten the days and lift the spirits of seniors in our community with pet therapy and visitation. Help bring more people and pets together by supporting CHHS.
200 Gable Drive, Sapphire | (828) 743-5752 | chhumanesociety.org
Everyone deserves a fur-ever home! Find what feels like home for you and your pets. Search homes for sale in Highlands and Cashiers.
Support what feels like HOME
At Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, we believe that everyone has a right to find what feels like home. In real estate, that generally means finding the right property to live your best life. But we also know that “home” is so much more than four walls and a roof—it’s about how a community really lives.
At the foundation of every successful community are great local nonprofits. Local nonprofits serve many purposes, even beyond their mission statements. They showcase the best of what is available for residents, and they reflect the values that locals hold dear.
What’s more, active, thriving nonprofits indicate active, thriving communities. More active communities are more desirable communities. And desirability equates to enhanced property values. That’s one of the many reasons why we at Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks support hundreds of nonprofits across Western North Carolina each year.
We treasure the communities where we work and play. Hundreds of local organizations work tirelessly to make our region one of the most desirable places to live, and we take our responsibility to support their efforts seriously.
This year, we’re committing to sharing some of our favorite WNC causes through a series of blog posts, including today’s post on animal nonprofits. Check back throughout 2024 to learn more about organizations that enhance our home and how to support nonprofits near you, including:
- Arts and Creativity nonprofits
- Children’s nonprofits
- Health & Wellness nonprofits
- Environmental nonprofits
- Social Justice nonprofits
