Services for pet owners

Spay/ neuter

All pets adopted through the Jackson County Animal Shelter must be spayed or neutered. Spayed or neutered animals surrendered at our shelter are also much more likely to be adopted.

Why should you spay or neuter? The Humane Society of the U.S. estimates

• between 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year--just in the United States. Most of those animals are considered "adoptable."
• about 25% of animals surrendered in shelters each year are purebreds
• less than 30% of shelter dogs, and less than 5% of shelter cats, are reclaimed by owners
• in seven years, two cats can produce over 420,000 offspring

• Spayed and neutered cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives, contract fewer instances of cancer and other hormone-related medical disorders, and are less likely to roam, bite, or fight.

• Spayed or neutered dogs can still hunt, and they're not likely to be distracted by dogs of the opposite sex

The following is a partial list of veterinarians who can spay your pet (please call to find out if additional charges will apply):

• Jackson County Veterinary (828) 586-8383
• Sylva Animal Hospital (828) 586-6138
• Cope Creek Animal Clinic (828) 586-3534
• Asheville Humane Alliance (828) 252-2079 (Read about monthly spay trips sponsored by ARF and SMART). The Humane Alliance can spay an animal as young as 2 months of age.

Obedience Training

Many pets are surrendered because owners haven't learned how to curb destructive or exuberant behavior. Jane Finneran regularly offers "Courteous Canine" classes at Mark Watson Park. The low fees for these classes are donated to local animal welfare organizations. Check our events link for dates of the next series of classes.