Cherokee County Animal Shelter Faces Dire Funding Cut, Threatening 'Low-Kill' Status

Cherokee County --  The Valley River Humane Society (VRHS), Cherokee County’s sole animal shelter, is appealing to the public following an announcement from the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners to withdraw crucial annual funding. This decision, expected to take effect within the next three to six months, threatens to undermine years of progress that have allowed VRHS to achieve "low-kill" status and save thousands of animal lives.

For the past decade, VRHS has diligently transformed its operations and facilities. These significant improvements include expanded housing for more animals, a vital partnership with Shelter Dog Transport Alliance that moves pets to shelters across the U.S. to free up local space, and the establishment of an on-site veterinary hospital. This hospital, funded by generous donations, provides life-saving medical care, performs routine spay and neuter surgeries, reduces stress on animals, and significantly cuts veterinary costs.

"With all of these improvements, VRHS is proud to identify ourselves as a 'Low-Kill Shelter', which means that animals are never euthanized simply because there is no room for them," stated VRHS in a recent social media post.

While much of VRHS’s projects and ongoing operations are supported by generous donors, the shelter relies on an annual allotment from the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners to help cover the fundamental costs of housing and feeding the more than one thousand animals brought in from Cherokee County each year.

However, the Commissioners have reportedly advised VRHS that this county funding will be withdrawn. Their stated reasons are claims that taxpayers do not support funding an animal shelter and are frustrated when they cannot surrender pets because the shelter is at capacity.

VRHS challenges these claims, emphasizing that there are no alternative shelters in the area. "There is no way we can maintain our 'Low-kill' status without greatly exceeding our animal housing capacity, a situation that is not only bad for the animals but unlawful under the NC State Animal Welfare Act," the shelter warns.

Further compounding the issue, VRHS reports that the Board of Commissioners, despite only funding approximately 20% of the cost to care for county animals, insists that VRHS accept 100% of animals brought in by the public. If the shelter lacks space, the Commissioners allegedly suggested holding animals for only 72 hours and then to "dispose of them as we see fit." VRHS firmly states that, without adoption or transport within that short window, the only other option is "inhumane," an option they refuse to consider.

"Unless VRHS agrees to take more animals than we can house and to kill perfectly healthy animals, the shelter will lose its county funding within the next 3-6 months," the shelter revealed.

Despite the county’s contribution being a fraction of their overall operating costs, VRHS stresses its critical importance in enabling their mission to save animal lives. County support, they highlight, is funded by Cherokee County taxpayers.

In light of this desperate situation, VRHS is urging community members to make their voices heard. They are asking residents to consider whether they want their tax dollars to support animal rescue in the county.

How You Can Help:

Comment on the VRHS Facebook page: Engage with their post on the Valley River Humane Society Animal Shelter Facebook page.

Contact the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners: Let your opinions be known directly to the decision-makers. (Readers are encouraged to search for Commissioner contact information for the most direct communication.)

Attend the Commissioners' Meeting: A critical opportunity to make your voice heard in person is at their meeting on JULY 29, 2025, at 6:30 pm.

"This is YOUR community; you are entitled to an opinion on the spending of your tax dollars. By speaking out, you can make a difference in your community and help save the lives of thousands of unfortunate animals," VRHS concluded. The future of hundreds of animals and the continuation of VRHS's life-saving work now hang in the balance, awaiting community response.

WNCTimes

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