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Avery Humane Society Is Celebrating Its 40th Year with a Birthday Bash Fundraiser on May 19

All ages are welcome and everyone is encouraged to bring their own pets to join the fun.

By: Hailey Blevins

Rhiannon was recently adopted. Come out and support Avery County Humane Society by adopting a dog or cat.

The Avery Humane Society is celebrating its 40th year of service to Avery County this year. To celebrate, the Humane Society is holding its 6th Annual Birthday Bash and Fundraiser on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and you’re invited!

When asked how the Humane Society is currently doing, Nancy Morrison, chairman of the Avery Humane Society Board, says, “It is the best it’s ever been. We’ve got the best staff, the best board, and the whole shelter is running so smoothly.” Avery County has embraced the Humane Society, adopting about 1,000 pets a year. Despite this, there are still many pets looking for a home. Avery Humane Society will have about 40 dogs and 40 cats who are looking for their forever homes available for adoption this year at the Birthday Bash.

The Smooch a Pooch Booth is just one of the many booths that will be at the Birthday Bash. Pictured is last year’s kisser.

All ages are invited to attend. Attendants can take part in a Balloon Pop for adoption discounts, enjoy food from Carolina BBQ, take part in raffles and a 50/50 drawing, play on inflatables, and much more! During this time, you can also shop with discounts at Paws and Claws Resale Shop. Everyone will have the chance to enter to win a Cancun Vacation for five days and four nights, so don’t forget to enter your name while you’re there.

New this year, the Birthday Bash will include a Pet Pageant, where you can enter your pet of any age into categories like Waggiest Tail, Coolest Senior, Most Original Costume and Cutest Most-Bestest Avery Shelter Alumni. The Pet Pageant will begin at 11 a.m., and the entrance fee for is only $2 for each category. Winners of each category will be awarded ribbons. The Birthday Bash is Avery Humane Society’s major fundraiser of the year and “every penny spent goes to help the dogs and cats of Avery County,” says Morrison.

New this year, dress up your pet and enter the Pet Pageant. Winners will receive a ribbon.

Come out this Saturday with your own pup, or come to adopt a pet, and support Avery Humane Society at 279 New Vale Road, Newland, NC 28607. Call 828-733-2333 for more information about the Birthday Bash or adopting a pet.

Sustainability and Opportunities at Avery Humane Society

Nancy says that Avery Humane Society hopes to be financially sustainable within the next few years. As part of their effort toward achieving sustainability, they are searching for an executive director. The executive director will primarily be in charge of fundraisers like the annual Birthday Bash. Interested applicants should be skilled with finding funding sources and be comfortable interacting with both the general public and the Humane Society’s elected officials. For more information on this position, contact Nancy Morrison at 423-552-0350 or Charlene Calhoun at 828-733-2333.

The Birthday Bash will take place at Avery County Humane Society.