Henderson County – A Welcoming Place for Pets and Their People
Any day along the streets of downtown Hendersonville, people can be seen strolling with their dogs and relaxing with their four-legged friends outside at restaurants, coffeehouses and breweries.
For the comfort and safety of animals and to help keep downtown Hendersonville enjoyable for everyone, the city requires that pet owners keep pets leashed and under control and that they clean up and dispose of pet waste.
PETS AND DOWNTOWN EVENTS
Hendersonville hosts downtown community celebrations throughout the year. At many of these events – such as the Rhythm & Brews concerts, and the North Carolina Apple Festival during Labor Day weekend – pets are not allowed. At the Tails in Town event, however, dog lovers and their furry friends take center stage and are encouraged to attend. The autumn celebration includes exhibitors, vendors, a costume pageant and educational sessions. Learn more at WTZQ.com/Tails-in-Town. For more about how Hendersonville appeals to people and their pets, visit VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/Pet-Friendly.DOG PARKS
Pets are welcome at public parks throughout Hendersonville and Henderson County. In the interest of safety and sanitation, owners must keep pets leashed and clean up after them.
Hendersonville also has a park specifically for dogs – Pets' Own Place on Seventh Avenue. This fenced dog park at 1019 Seventh Avenue East has two separate sections for small and large dogs. The park is across Mud Creek at the Oklawaha Greenway trailhead and has a waste bag dispenser, a trash receptacle and a water spigot.
Throughout Henderson County, there are several other dog parks:
Jackson Park at 4th Ave. East in Hendersonville features an dog area. Managed by the Henderson County Parks & Recreation Dept., Jackson Park has 220 acres that include many walking trails.
Bill Moore Community Park includes two fenced-in areas for large dogs and small dogs. Operated by The Town of Fletcher, the park is made up of 75 acres that also include walking trails and access to Cane Creek.
Mills River Park features a dog park. This 48-acre park also includes a multi-use trail, a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and a launch for non-motorized watercraft such as canoes and kayaks.
EXPLORING STATE PARKS AND NATIONAL FORESTS WITH PETS
Hendersonville is not far from such state parks and forests as DuPont State Recreational Forest, Holmes Educational State Forest and Chimney Rock State Park. Pets are allowed in North Carolina State Parks and State Forests as long as they are on an attended leash no longer than six feet, are under the constant control of the owner, and are kept only on pedestrian trails. With the exception of service animals and authorized search and rescue dogs, pets are not allowed in public buildings in state parks or state forests.Henderson County residents and visitors also enjoy regional hiking and camping with their pets in Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. Pet owners must crate, cage or restrain their pets on leashes not exceeding six feet or otherwise physically confine their pets at all times. Pets are not permitted in public buildings in national forests other than service animals accompanying people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental challenges. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.
ANIMAL ADOPTIONS, EDUCATION AND MORE
Blue Ridge Humane Society is committed to creating happy homes for every pet.
BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption at the Adoption Center; works to ensure the highest quality adoption counseling experience for potential adopters; and provides owner support for BRHS adopters and community pet owners, including low-cost vaccine clinics, pet training classes and behavior consultations and adoption follow-ups. BRHS also takes an active role in community outreach by providing animal and youth education programs and coordinating community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), the latter of which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville and the Henderson County Animal Services Center. BRHS operates the Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store which provides vital program funding through an upscale shopping experience. A 501(c)3 animal welfare organization, Blue Ridge Humane Society was founded in 1950 and is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and neighboring communities. Learn more at BlueRidgeHumane.org or by calling 828-692-2639.
The Henderson County Animal Services Center provides shelter for adoptable and stray animals and reunites lost pets with their owners. The department keeps records of rabies cases and encourages responsible pet ownership by advocating anti-cruelty measures, keeping pets vaccinated against rabies, and spaying, neutering and microchipping of pets. The Center is at 828 Stoney Mountain Road in Hendersonville. Visit HendersonCountyNC.gov/AnimalServices or call 828-697-4723 for more information.
NORTH CAROLINA LAW PROTECTS PETS
While it’s not illegal to leave pets in vehicles, doing so has the potential to be hazardous to pets. For the health and safety of animals, North Carolina law allows any animal control officer, animal cruelty investigator, law enforcement officer, firefighter or rescue squad worker who has probable cause to believe an animal is confined in a vehicle under conditions likely to cause suffering, injury or death to enter a vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after trying to locate whomever is responsible for the animal. Conditions that can endanger pets include heat, cold and lack of adequate ventilation. Also, the Henderson County Sheriff's Department is in charge of handling animal control issues in the county. To report an animal control issue in the county, call 828-697-4912.