Watauga Humane Society

Watauga Humane Society We aim to provide shelter and care for all animals in need in Watauga County, NC Watauga Humane Society was incorporated in December 1969.
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We are a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing shelter and care to animals in need in Watauga County, NC. Our shelter is located at 312 Paws Way, Boone, NC 28607, just off the intersection of Old 421 and Don Hayes Road. We have facilities for the housing and care of stray dogs, cats, and small animals. We provide food, shelter, medical care, and lots of love to all our animals

as we work to find them a loving “fur-ever” home. For additional information about WHS and our services, please visit our website!

Somewhere between the glitter ✨ and the grocery lists 🛒, the holidays have a way of slipping us little magic, unexpected...
12/22/2025

Somewhere between the glitter ✨ and the grocery lists 🛒, the holidays have a way of slipping us little magic, unexpected 💫 and full of heart ❤️.

This week, a few of those moments arrived in the form of holiday cards and newsletters from WHS alumni 🎄🐾, and we can’t quite put into words what it meant to our team. We read every story 📖. We passed them around 🤍. We smiled 😊, laughed 😄, and felt that deep, steady reminder of why we do this work.

Animal welfare isn’t an easy vocation. It asks for long days ⏰, tender hearts 💕, and more than a few tears 😭. But when we’re reminded that our work leads to something tangible—to joy 🌈, to comfort 🏡, to lives fully lived—it all feels more meaningful ✨.

On our side of rescue, we’re often part of the happy ending 💌, but we rarely get to see it. So if your pets make an appearance on your holiday cards; or if you simply want to send a little cheer, please include us 📬.

Nothing lifts our spirits quite like seeing our alumni out there, living their very best lives 🐶🐱💖✨

Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00�12/24: By appointment�12/25: CLOSED 🎄�12/26: By appointment�12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

✨ Holiday Hours Reminder ✨�A quick note that our adoption center hours will look a little different next week 🎄🐾❄️ 12/23...
12/22/2025

✨ Holiday Hours Reminder ✨�A quick note that our adoption center hours will look a little different next week 🎄🐾

❄️ 12/23: 12:30–5:00�
✨12/24: By appointment
�🎄 12/25: CLOSED 🎁�
🐾 12/26: By appointment�12/27: 12:30–5:00

Appointments are reserved for those hoping to spend some intentional time getting to know a potential companion 🤍.

Book Here 👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FA5A92EABFEC70-61338545-holiday

LINK IN BIO

Thank you for helping us move through the holidays with care, intention, and a little grace 🤍

12/22/2025

🎄✨ Holiday Bonus Edition: Success Story Sunday ✨🎄

Sometimes the greatest success stories come tangled in tinsel.

This special holiday bonus edition of Success Story Sunday is brought to you by festive mischief, fearless curiosity, and a complete disregard for personal space—especially when that space belongs to a Christmas tree 🎄😅.

Meet Fabio (Class of 2023) and Rosie (Class of 2018), two proud alumni who have clearly decided that ornaments are merely suggestions, branches are premium toys, and “leave it” is nothing more than a seasonal myth. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Because this is what success looks like.
Pets confident enough to explore ✨.
Comfortable enough to be bold 🐾.
Loved enough to make a mess—and still be adored for it ❤️.

Paw prints under the tree. Whiskers in the lights. Ornaments living dangerously. These are the quiet, joyful signs of a life fully lived.

So in the spirit of holiday chaos and happy endings, we want to see your mischievous companions 🎁🐶🐱. Share your photos of pets caught red-pawed doing exactly what they shouldn’t near the tree.

This is the joy you make possible when you support our lifesaving mission. And it’s worth every fallen ornament ✨🐾🎄

Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00
12/24: By appointment
12/25: CLOSED 🎄
12/26: By appointment
12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
http://www.wataugahumane.org

rescuedog rescuecat dogs cats dogsofinstagram catsofinstagram petsofinstagram shelterpets adoptabledogs

Meet Franklin the Turtle 🐢🐶Franklin has been waiting 390 days for his moment to shine, and somehow… he’s still holding o...
12/22/2025

Meet Franklin the Turtle 🐢🐶

Franklin has been waiting 390 days for his moment to shine, and somehow… he’s still holding on 💛.

He does beautifully when he gets out of his kennel 🌤️🐾. Even a few minutes of fresh air, teats and a tennis ball, reminds you who he really is: gentle 🫶, sweet 🍯, and deeply hopeful ✨. But long days in a kennel are starting to catch up to him. Stress has a way of settling into the body, and lately, Franklin’s been carrying more than he should 😔. We wish we could say otherwise, but what he needs most right now is change 🌱.

Franklin is looking for a very special kind of home 🏡. One where he can be the only pet 🐕, with someone who spends a lot of time with him and understands that companionship takes patience and presence 🤍. He has separation anxiety and never truly learned how to navigate the world. What he has learned, though, is how to love people, fully and wholeheartedly 💞.

The odds that his person is reading this right now might be slim. But the odds that someone who shares his story helps it reach them? That’s how miracles usually work 🌟. Please share his story, so the person meant just for him has a chance to finally find him 🐾🤍

With heartfelt thanks to Mary Mueller, who sponsored Franklin in memory of Minnie 🤍🐾

Details:�
🎂 Age: 8 years�
⚖️ Weight: 48 lbs�
♂️ S*x: Male�
✂️ Neutered: Yes�
📅 Days at WHS: 390

As a privately funded non-profit organization, we rely on kindness, big hearts 💓, and sponsorships like these to keep our mission going 🙌!

Want to be a hero for animals in need? 🦸‍♀️ Visit our website, choose a critter that tugs at your heartstrings 💘, and click “Sponsor This Animal.” It’s the purr-fect way to spread love and help us save more lives, one paw at a time 🐾❤️.

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

❄️ Success Story Sunday: Shoot Out at the Okra Corral 🌱🐾Sometimes the bravest thing a kitten can do is wait—and Okra wai...
12/21/2025

❄️ Success Story Sunday: Shoot Out at the Okra Corral 🌱🐾

Sometimes the bravest thing a kitten can do is wait—and Okra waited 63 whole days ⏳💛.

He arrived at the adoption center with his mama and siblings, forever known as the Burger Kittens 🍔🐱. A little undersized, generously flea-seasoned 🐜, and bursting with mischievous curiosity ✨, Okra had everything going for him… except timing. This year, even kittens are learning patience 😌.

Then one ordinary day turned extraordinary.

A visitor walked into Watauga Humane Society, met a few sweet faces 😻, and took a chance on a recommendation: “You should meet Shoot Out at the Okra Corral,” said DC, one of our trusty cat gurus 🧠🐾. One purr later 💭💖, it was settled. Okra, now lovingly called Okie, went home 🏡🎉.

Today, he’s a fearless little shadow 🐾🌟: best friends with his sister Margot 💕, adventuring on harness walks 🚶‍♂️🦺, hikes ⛰️, and even kayak rides 🛶. He purrs like a freight train 🚂, loves everyone he meets 🤝, and is impressively terrible at jumping (short legs 🐾, squishy face 😽, unmatched confidence 💪).

Stories like Okie’s are why we keep going ❤️. If you’re ready for connection, adventure, and joy, come meet all those who wait ✨🐶🐱

♥️ View our adoptable pets, and start your own magic moment 🐾
👉 https://bit.ly/4i01kxX ✨

Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00�12/24: By appointment�12/25: CLOSED 🎄�12/26: By appointment�12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

12/21/2025

ADOPT TODAY!!!

Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00
12/24: By appointment
12/25: CLOSED 🎄
12/26: By appointment
12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

rescuedog rescuecat dogs cats dogsofinstagram catsofinstagram petsofinstagram shelterpets adoptabledogs adoptablecats adoptlove everylifematters rescuejoy

Holiday Shopping That Pays it Forward 🐾♥️The holidays have a way of sprinkling magic into the ordinary, quiet moments ✨,...
12/20/2025

Holiday Shopping That Pays it Forward 🐾♥️

The holidays have a way of sprinkling magic into the ordinary, quiet moments ✨, warm lights 🎄, and the feeling that something good is just around the corner 💫.

At the Watauga Humane Society adoption center 🐾, that magic shows up in unexpected places. Cozy sweatshirts and t-shirts that feel like comfort you can wear 🧣. Beanies made for crisp winter days ❄️. Ornaments that carry meaning with every glance 🎁. Each one supports animals patiently waiting for their second chance ❤️🐶🐱.

Shopping from home? Our online store has you covered 💻✨ with exclusive apparel, mugs ☕, and more, easy to gift, impossible not to feel good about.

Every purchase helps provide care, connection, and hope 🌈 for pets in our community. Because some gifts don’t just brighten the season, they help make a little magic happen ✨🐾🎄

Online Store: https://watauga-humane-society.printify.me
LINK IN BIO!

Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00�12/24: By appointment�12/25: CLOSED 🎄�12/26: By appointment�12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

12/20/2025

Last-minute shopping? Don’t forget the gifts that pay it forward. 🎁✨

Stop by the Watauga Humane Society adoption center 🐾 and shop sweatshirts, tees, beanies, and ornaments that do more than look good; they help animals waiting for their second chance ❤️🐶🐱 Every purchase supports pets right here in our community. So grab a gift, feel good about it, and walk out knowing your holiday shopping just made a real impact 🎄🙌💫

 Holiday Hours:
12/23: 12:30–5:00
12/24: By appointment
12/25: CLOSED 🎄
12/26: By appointment
12/27: 12:30–5:00

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

rescuedog rescuecat dogs cats dogsofinstagram catsofinstagram petsofinstagram shelterpets adoptabledogs adoptablecats adoptlove everylifematters rescuejoy

12/20/2025

Do that trend they said…. It’ll be fun they said…. 🙄
Adopt Today!

WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY
312 Paws Way
BOONE NC
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 5:00 PM
www.wataugahumane.org

animalrescue adoptme adoptlove rescuedog rescuecat dogs cats dogsofinstagram catsofinstagram petsofinstagram shelterpets adoptabledogs adoptablecats adoptlove everylifematters rescuejoy

For the past two weeks, our adoption center has felt joyful! 🌟 Thanks to the campaign with Bissell & The BISSELL Pet...
12/19/2025

For the past two weeks, our adoption center has felt joyful! 🌟

Thanks to the campaign with Bissell & The BISSELL Pet Foundation , 40 cats and 10 dogs stepped into their new lives 🏡🐕🐈

Year of the Crow and Dr. Facilier both came to us as tiny kittens and spent the majority of their kittenhood at the adoption center 🐦‍⬛🐾. And although we fill their rooms with love, treats, toys, and time, nothing compares to growing up in a home that is truly your own 💛🏠

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, once a tiny, feral kitten who kept us at arm’s length despite our best efforts, has stepped into a new chapter, learning that the inside life is, in fact, a very good one 🐈‍⬛✨

On the dog side, Moxie, spicy 🌶️ and resilient, found her perfect match after a few failed attempts. Uncle Hank, just about the gentlest boy, waited 88 days before meeting his people 🧡🐶. And Babe Ruth… well, his story is one that reminds us why we never stop ⚾🐾

As the holidays begin 🎄, we are deeply grateful. Grateful to you, and to Cathy Bissell and the Bissell Pet Foundation, for hope, partnership, and for making room for the paws in our lives 💫🐾

Address

PO Box 1835
Boone, NC
28607

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12:30pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12:30pm - 5pm
Thursday 12:30pm - 5pm
Friday 12:30pm - 5pm
Saturday 12:30pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18282647865

Website

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Our Story

Watauga Humane Society was incorporated in December of 1969. We are a not-for-profit charitable organization and dedicated to all aspects of animal welfare. The Watauga Humane Society animal shelter is located at 312 Paws Way just off the intersection of Old 421 and Don Hayes Road in Boone, NC. If you have a GPS, you can enter 142 Don Hayes Road and it will bring you straight to us! The shelter has facilities for the housing and care of homeless dogs, cats, and small animals. We provide food, shelter, medical care and lots of love to the homeless animals at our shelter and we work to find permanent, loving homes for them. In an effort to help control the pet population, we offer low-cost spay/neuter through our partnership with Humane Alliance in Asheville.