Our History
2004 - 2019
The Ashe Humane Society was formed in March 2004 by concerned citizens and with the leadership and experience of John Lisk, a past Executive Director of a large metropolitan Humane Society in South Florida.
The new organization's members wrote a mission statement and executed early programs aimed at furthering the mission of “Saving and Protecting Animals of Ashe County." AHS received its 501(c)(3) status in 2006.
Through the support of multiple donors, AHS purchases a small building in Jefferson in 2007 as a resource center for the local veterinarian supported low-cost spay and neuter voucher program.
AHS received its shelter license from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in 2019,
enabling it to house up to 35 cats for adoption.
2020 - 2023
The COVID pandemic in 2020 greatly impacted the organization's ability to keep the shelter open to the public and maintain a 7-day-a-week volunteer schedule. Struggles mounted as donations declined and veterinary costs rose, combined with the absence of local veterinarians willing to honor low-cost spay and neuter vouchers from AHS. Additionally, building maintenance and repairs increased significantly.
In May 2023, AHS transitioned to a foster-based rescue focused only on cats and kittens that came from the Ashe County Animal Control shelter.
In July 2023, AHS sold its building and used the proceeds to better serve the animals of Ashe County. The organization introduced two new programs in August 2023: the Ashe County Spay and Neuter Financial Assistance Program and the Feral Cat Trap-Vaccinate-Neuter-Return (TVNR) Program.
2024 - 2025
In June 2024, Friends of Ashe County Animal Shelter (FAAS), led by President Tammy Tanoury, received its 501(c)(3) as a non-profit animal rescue. Its mission was to support the Ashe County Animal Control shelter by fostering and facilitating adoptions of cats and dogs while also helping Ashe County citizens spay and neuter their pets.
As FAAS grew, the boards of both AHS and FAAS partnered in many activities. It became clear that the two organizations were similar in many ways and could do much more for the animals of Ashe County if they combined their resources, volunteers and donors.
The two organizations merged on November 3, 2025, and operate today as Ashe Humane Society. Tammy Tanoury serves as Vice President of AHS, ably assisted by President Sarah Terry, Treasurer Jenny Johnson, and Secretary Janet Myers.