Mitchell County Animal Rescue
Our Mission
Mitchell County Animal Rescue is dedicated to protecting, rescuing, and caring for abandoned and unwanted animals while actively promoting spay/neuter services to build a brighter future for pets in our community. We believe in providing a safe, temporary haven where every animal is treated with dignity and compassion until they find their perfect, loving home.
A Legacy of Compassion
Since 1984, we have served as a trusted safety net for animals in crisis and the people who love them. We operate as a not-for-profit organization, partnering with local law enforcement, veterinarians, and community members to ensure the welfare of animals across Mitchell County.
Our Care Model
Our facility provides a secure, caring environment for animals of all breeds, ages, and conditions. Beyond our shelter walls, we focus on community outreach—including pet food banks, vaccination clinics, and low-cost spay/neuter programs—to keep pets healthy and with the families who love them.
Your Adoption Journey
Adoption is the start of a beautiful, lifelong partnership. Our dedicated staff works closely with you to ensure a thoughtful, safe match that respects both the needs of the animal and your unique lifestyle. Because every pet deserves a healthy start, all animals in our care are spayed or neutered before they join your family.
Meet Your New Best Friend
There is someone special waiting to meet you at our shelter! We invite you to visit our facility in Spruce Pine, browse our adoptable animals online through PetFinder, or join us at one of our upcoming community events. Come discover the joy of giving a deserving animal a second chance at a happy life.
- Caring staff
- Helpful demeanor
- Medical concerns
8/30 - She tearfully surrendered her dog to a shelter. Then strangers stepped in.
Lisa Wilson did not want to give up Eddie.
7/15 - Rotary learns about animal rescue
Click here to view this article from newstopicnews.com.
6/12 - Mitchell County Animal Rescue launches new "Trail Buddies" program with community celebration
SPRUCE PINE – Mitchell County Animal Rescue (MCAR) is excited to announce the launch of Trail Buddies, an innovative new volunteer program that gives shelter dogs a much-needed break from
10/9 - Two young, happy adoptable dogs have each found each other…but they haven’t found their people yet! Did you know that if you just want to meet a dog and see if sparks fly, you can take them out for an #MCARTrailBuddies walk any Wednesday? Dogs get socialization and fresh air, and *maybe* you meet your new best furry friend! 🐾 Sign up for this Wednesday via the link in our bio!
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10/8 - Some @mypridenc board members did a little reconnaissance work to see exactly *how* cute the adoptable dogs at @mitchellcountyanimalrescue are ahead of our Trail Buddies Pack Walk this Saturday, a new meetup for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies who love animals and fresh air! We’re happy to report that each and every dog scored 10/10! ✨ We don’t want any shelter dogs to be left out of the walk, so the more human buddies we can recruit, the better! It’s free to join, all you have to do is: 1. Sign up for this Saturday (10/10) using the link in our bio, or head to @mitchellcountyanimalrescue ‘s website on the Trail Buddies page. NOTE: just sign up for any time slot available, even if it’s not 10:30, but we’re only showing up at 10:30 (sorry, there were some limitations on the signup form 🙈) 2. Show up at Mitchell County Animal Rescue at 10:30 to get your dog. Then we’ll caravan as a group to the Orchard at Altapass for a walk! See you there! These pups and many more will be PAWSatively delighted to meet you! 🐾💕
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10/7 - Who doesn’t need this kind of joy in their lives? Whoever is lucky enough to adopt two year old Toby is in for a daily dose of serotonin! We can’t wait for him to find his person (and neither can he!!). Is it you? Inquire on our website or DM us for more Toby lore! 💕
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10/4 - These are just SOME of the dogs you’ll meet if you join us next weekend at our Trail Buddies Pack Walk, in partnership with @mitchellcountyanimalrescue ! Meet us at 10:30 sharp at Mitchell County Animal Rescue where we’ll get assigned our dog buddies, and then we’ll caravan to the Orchard at Altapass for a group walk. The event is free (just sign up via the link in our bio) and is an opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to come together for a good cause. 🐾 See you there?
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9/22 - 🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN. SHELBY AND HER THREE BOYS HAVE 30 DAYS TO FIND A HOME. 🚨 Today, Laura and Eddie are HOME! You all made that happen. People from around the WORLD stepped up, and I am hoping you are still listening. ❤️ Because now I need your help with Shelby, her three boys, two dogs (Tigger and Tsuki), and two cats (Aladdin and Jasmine). Shelby lost her home during Hurricane Helene. She rebuilt her life, found work running a chainsaw and building fences, and then lost her job after her husband broke her arm in July. He is no longer in the home, and a divorce is in progress. There is a strong connection between animal welfare and domestic violence. That is why we partner with Safe Place, our local shelter. Last week, Shelby called MCAR asking for dog food after seeing Eddie’s story. I offered to ship it, but she wanted to come pick it up because she needed to get out of the house. After we hung up, I had an idea. I called her back. “Shelby, are you looking for work?” “YES!” She came in, interviewed, volunteered the next day, worked her tail off, and NOW SHE IS PART OF OUR MCAR TEAM! ❤️ And then her landlord gave her 30 days to move. HERE IS WHAT WE NEED: LAND. Shelby is on the list to receive a home from Samaritan’s Purse, but she needs a piece of land where it can be built. She WANTS TO PAY FOR IT. Someone has even offered her a camper to live in while she waits for her house. She has a job. She has a plan. She just needs a place to put her family. DO YOU HAVE LAND TO SELL? KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES? KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HELP? Please message Mitchell County Animal Rescue. SHARE THIS POST FAR AND WIDE. You helped Eddie and Laura find their happy ending. Now let’s help Shelby and her boys find a safe place to call HOME. Thirty days, y’all. Let’s make this happen. ❤️🐾 To donate: https://mitchellcountyanimalrescue.networkforgood.com/projects/306357-pet-friendly-housing
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