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!

Broken & Brave: Spaghetti + Doug E. Fresh 🐾This is the season when small moments matter most, when a single choice to st...
12/29/2025

Broken & Brave: Spaghetti + Doug E. Fresh 🐾

This is the season when small moments matter most, when a single choice to stop, to help, to give can change everything ✨

For Spaghetti, that moment came in a flash. Something worth chasing. A leap from a second-story window. Suddenly, playful curiosity gave way to pain and uncertainty. The fall left him with a shattered femur; an injury requiring specialized care, patience, and hope 🩺💛. Thanks to orthopedic surgery and weeks of healing, Spaghetti found his way back. Today, he runs again, freely and without pain 🐕💨

�Spaghetti’s care: $1,282

Doug E. Fresh’s story began with a hush that held real pain. Found as a tiny stray, a string had wrapped tightly around his leg, cutting off circulation and leaving amputation as his only chance 🧶💔. It wasn’t a choice made lightly, but it was made with love. Surgery ended his pain and opened the door to a future he shouldn’t have lost. Now, Doug navigates the world on three legs with confidence, curiosity, and unmistakable joy 🐾✨�

Doug E. Fresh’s care: $1,251.40

Together, their care totaled more than $2,500; but what it gave them can’t be measured in numbers. It gave comfort. Mobility. A future that once felt uncertain 🌱

Your generosity is the magic behind every recovery, every brave step forward 💫

As the season of second chances lingers just a little longer, you still have a chance to make a real impact on the homeless, sick, and injured pets of Watauga County—because hope, like healing, begins with you 🐾

✨ Give a second chance today: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/giveasecondchancetoday/

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

Meet Cough Drop. 😌🐾He arrived at our adoption center at two months old with big feelings and absolutely no patience for ...
12/29/2025

Meet Cough Drop. 😌🐾

He arrived at our adoption center at two months old with big feelings and absolutely no patience for the onboarding process. Intake exams? 🤨 Negotiable. Personal space? 🚫 Non-negotiable.

A stubborn eye infection attempted to dim his shine, but three weeks of antibiotics, steady care, and a truly heroic amount of human devotion restored him to his natural state: polished ✨, observant 👀, and mildly amused by the rest of us.

Now seven months old, Cough Drop is serving full Great Catsby energy 🎩🐈‍⬛; regal, self-possessed, and quietly entertaining himself at your expense. He enjoys play as performance 🎭, affection with enthusiasm, and surprise attacks on fluffy slippers that dare exist 🥿⚔️.

Settled firmly into his role as an aristocrat-in-training, he offers poise with a side of play, charm balanced by caution, and just enough cattitude to keep things interesting 😼. Catnip remains his greatest vice 🌿. No gentleman is perfect, after all.

Endless thanks to Michelle Hall, who sponsored Cough Drop in honor of Heather Ambrose 💛🎩. Your generosity is the kind of legacy even the most refined gentleman tips his hat to. 🥂🐾

Cough Drop’s Details
• Name: Cough Drop
• Age: 7 months
• S*x: Male
• Status: Neutered
• Days at WHS: 157

Every bark, every whisker, every heartbeat—your support makes it possible 💫🐶
Give here 👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/animsponsor

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

The Life That Waited on the Other Side – Part 3 of 3Healing didn’t happen all at once. It arrived in small, steady ways....
12/28/2025

The Life That Waited on the Other Side – Part 3 of 3

Healing didn’t happen all at once. It arrived in small, steady ways. 🌱⏳

A foster stepped forward, offering Dasher a soft place to land while his body caught up with his spirit. 🏡🤍 In a home, he bloomed. 🌼 He claimed the guest bed as his own. 🛏️😌 He learned the rhythms of life and comfort, and puzzled over cat siblings who desperately wanted to cuddle him. 🐈💕 His ears, no longer irritated or inflamed, stood straight at attention like little flags of victory. 🚩✨

All told, Dasher’s care came to $1,603.75 — surgery, diagnostics, medication, and follow-ups. 💵🩺 The kind of investment that turns a lonely ending into second chances. 🌈

And then, in the way the best stories always do, the foster became family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🐾

Like many dogs who have lived too long without stability, Dasher struggled at times with reactivity toward strangers. ⚠️ But his people never gave up. 🙌 With patience, consistency, and a deep belief in who he could be, they showed up for him every single day, working with him, advocating for him, and meeting him exactly where he was. 🤝💙
Dasher didn’t need a miracle. ✨
�He needed time. ⏰�Answers. 🔍�And people willing to say yes. 💛

This is what this community makes possible: more than survival, you offer belonging. 🐾💞 As we move through this Season of Second Chances, Dasher’s story reminds us that every life saved opens the door for the next one waiting to be seen. 🚪🐕

And so the cycle of lifesaving work continues — and it is all because of you. 🌟💙

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

Still not sure what to get us for Christmas? 🎄🎁Rudolph and the rest of our pups are voting treats, care, and second chan...
12/28/2025

Still not sure what to get us for Christmas? 🎄🎁
Rudolph and the rest of our pups are voting treats, care, and second chances this year. 🐾✨
Extend the holiday cheer with a gift at wataugahumane.org/give ; it fits every size stocking (even the paw-shaped ones). 🐶💛

The Dog Who Endured – Part 2 of 3Dasher’s surgery went smoothly. 🏥✨ The mass was removed and sent off for biopsy, and we...
12/27/2025

The Dog Who Endured – Part 2 of 3

Dasher’s surgery went smoothly. 🏥✨ The mass was removed and sent off for biopsy, and we waited; the kind of waiting that holds its breath. 😮‍💨⏱️

The results brought both gravity and relief: perianal carcinoma. ⚖️ Rare, but when caught early and fully excised, the surgery is often curative. The margins were clean. No spread detected. Finally, some good news, carefully held. 🌤️🤍
But the answers didn’t stop there.

Bloodwork revealed hypothyroidism, a condition that explains fur loss, fatigue, and that dimming we’d noticed in his eyes. 🧬 It sounds intimidating, but it asks very little in return; a daily pill, routine monitoring, consistency. 💊📅 Once treatment began, Dasher’s body responded almost immediately. His skin softened. His coat began to return. His spark followed close behind. ✨🐕
�Every answer required diagnostics.
Every step required resources. 💵

And every decision was made with one goal: give Dasher the best possible chance at what comes next. 💛

The surgery was behind him.�The plan was in place. 📋✔️
But healing, we were about to learn, would require more than medicine alone. 🧡

Tune in tomorrow for his final reveal! 🌱

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

12/27/2025

Meet Tipton Hotel 🏨🐱

Love doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it knocks, paws the glass 🐾, and waits to be noticed 💭💛.

When Tipton Hotel first came to the adoption center, she was shy and cautious, eyes wide 👀, body small, heart guarded 💞. She had just finished the most important job of her life: raising her kittens, Zack and Cody 🍼🐱🐱. Once they were ready for the world and headed off on their own journeys 🌍, Tipton stayed behind, learning how to be brave for herself.

In foster care, her true story began to unfold 🌱. The caution softened into curiosity ✨. The quiet turned into purrs, scooting paws, and a playful spirit that simply needed time to feel secure 🐈‍⬛💕. With patience and consistency from her foster parents, Tipton revealed herself to be wonderfully affectionate, and very enthusiastic about feather toys 🪶😄. If she wants to play, you’ll hear about it 📣. If she wants affection, she’ll make sure you don’t miss the memo 💬💖.

Tipton is energetic, loving, and beautifully unique—seeking a home that honors her pace and celebrates her joy 🌈🏡.
Endless thanks to her sponsor, Taylor Calloway, for supporting Tipton through 179 days of waiting ⏳💛. Your kindness keeps her hope steady 🌟.

Tipton’s Details:�• Age: 3 years 🎂�• S*x: Female ♀️�• Spayed: Yes ✔️�• Weight: 6 lbs ⚖️�• Days at WHS: 180 🐾

Every bark, every whisker, every heartbeat—your support makes it possible 💫🐶
Give here 👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/animsponsor

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

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

The Dog Who Waited – Part 1There’s something silently devastating about an old dog found alone. 🕰️💔Not panicked. Not fra...
12/27/2025

The Dog Who Waited – Part 1

There’s something silently devastating about an old dog found alone. 🕰️💔

Not panicked. Not frantic. Just tired and yearning in a way that suggests he once knew home. 🏠

That was Dasher. 🐕✨

At 10 years young, he arrived thin and patchy, with miles behind him and no one waiting at the end of the road. 🛣️ We checked for a microchip. 🔎 We waited for the call that never came. 📞 And while we waited, his body told the truth of how long he’d been surviving without help.

A painful mass near his re**um made even resting uncomfortable. 😔 His fur loss hinted at something deeper than neglect. And yet, Dasher leaned with full force into every hand that reached for him, 🤲 pressing his whole weight forward, eyes soft, grateful in a way that felt almost reverent. 🤍🐾

We could have treated the surface and hoped for the best.
Instead, we chose to look closer; to find real answers. 🔍🩺

The mass needed to come out.
The tests needed to be run. 🧪📋

And for the first time in a long while, Dasher had people — his people — committed to helping him heal, no matter what the tests revealed. 💙

Come back tomorrow for part 2! ✨

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

Meet Rebel — a distinguished gentleman who believes naps are a lifestyle and snacks are a love language. 💤🐶🍪Some dogs br...
12/26/2025

Meet Rebel — a distinguished gentleman who believes naps are a lifestyle and snacks are a love language. 💤🐶🍪

Some dogs bring the chaos. Rebel brings the calm… and then politely asks if you have treats. 😌👉🍪 At nine years young 🎂, this sweet old man has perfected the art of taking it easy. He’s delightfully lazy 😴, incredibly mellow 🌿, and motivated by snacks in a way that feels both relatable and admirable. Sit? Paw? Lay down? ✋🐾 Rebel knows his basics and performs them with pride, especially if a reward is involved. ⭐🍖

On leash, he’s an absolute professional. 🚶‍♂️🐕 No pulling, no zig-zagging, just a smooth stroll like he’s done this whole “walk” thing once or twice before. 😏 And while we can’t guarantee it, all signs point to him being potty trained, which feels very on-brand for a dog this polite. 🚽😉

Surrendered through no fault of his own 💔➡️💛, Rebel has handled change with grace. He deserves to spend his golden years soaking up comfort 🛋️, companionship 🤝, and the occasional well-earned treat 🍪, because that’s exactly the kind of soul he is. ✨

Endless thanks to sponsor Clark A. Jones, in loving memory of Milo. 🌈🐾 Your kindness lives on in Rebel’s soft steps and slower days. 💖

Animal Details:�
• Name: Rebel 🐾�
• Age: 9 years 🎉�
• S*x: Male ♂️�
• Status: Neutered ✔️�
• Days at WHS: 28 days 📆

Every bark, every whisker, every heartbeat—your support makes it possible 💫🐶
Give here 👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/animsponsor

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

12/26/2025

Take a tour of our cat condos ♥️🥰 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

12/26/2025

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

12/25/2025

Turns out the quickest way to spread holiday cheer is… room service. 🎄🐾

Our staff traded aprons for Santa hats and served up a festive feast, one carefully placed plate at a time. Some cats waited politely. Others supervised closely. All of them reminded us that the best holiday dinners are shared, a little messy, and full of connection. Calories don’t count when love is on the menu. 💚✨

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

12/25/2025

🎁✨ A very special holiday thank-you to Priscilla Kline, who clearly understood the assignment: personalized gifts for everyone. Our cats and dogs spent the day sniffing, pouncing, squeaking, and soaking up every bit of joy. You didn’t just give gifts, you gave comfort, enrichment, and a whole lot of purring and happy paws. The kind of magic that makes the season feel real. 🐾❤️
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

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.