Rutherfordton

We are a nonprofit and no kill rescue that works within our county to make it a no kill community. We take in dogs/puppies, cats/kittens and update their vetting including spay and neuters. We will fix the moms and dads of the litters we take so their won't be anymore accidental litters. We do not use vouchers, all of our animals are spayed and neutered before they are adopted out.

To provide Rutherford County with Animal Control services including: Stray animal pick-up Bite case investigation Cruelty investigation Animal nuisance complaints Animal reclaims and adoptions Rabies Vaccines and Rabies Control To provide assistance and information to others whose purposes are consistent with the purpose of Rutherford County Animal Control Services To inform the public on the importance of spaying and neutering in order to reduce the numbers of unwanted animals Form networks with local and regional rescue groups to increase adoption rates To overall improve the quality of life for the animals of Rutherford County through information and by reducing the dog and cat overpopulation

H4S formed on January 2, 2004. Rutherford Co, NC does not have a shelter for adoptable pets. Only a 'high-kill' Animal Control. When I inquired as to the adoption/return to owner rate, at that time, it was a mere 3%. In the summer months, I had volunteered at a shelter in Yancey Co, NC for 10 yrs, establishing their rescue effort and building a 'state-of-the art' shelter, there. In the winter months, I felt lost and useless, and bored, so decided that I needed to step up to help rescue as many of the dogs I could, in Rutherford Co, NC where we lived during the winter months. In 2007, we decided to sell our summer place, since Yancey had everything it needed now, with a sweet shelter doing amazing things for the animals in need there. Since, Jan. 2004, H4S has rescued over 7,700 dogs and puppies. We trabsport as many as we can get into other no-kill rescues in NY and NJ, and also adopt out as many as we can handle, each month. We average a population of 35 adoptables each month, as well as 35 permanent 'sanctuary residents', mostly older beagles and hounds. It has become my life's work, and I LOVE what I do. I just WISH ALL counties everywhere had a FREE spay/neuter clinic, so 'rescue' wouldn't be a necessity.

The purpose of the Rutherford County Humane Society is to strengthen and protect the relationship between humans and companion animals and to foster the welfare of the dog and cat population of Rutherford County. Our number one goal is to promote and assist in spay/neuter to prevent the births and subsequent euthanasia of hundreds of unwanted animals. We also aim to prevent cruelty and abuse by active Humane Education. The Rutherford County Humane Society was founded and obtained tax-exempt,501(C)(3) status in 1976, with the present chapter operating since 1993. We are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to operate a small adoption center that can house only cats. Presently there are 22 active volunteers and 98 supporting members in our group. We have a seven member Board of Directors who serve for three-year periods and a slate of officers who are elected on a yearly basis.