Macon County Humane Society, Inc., dba (doing business as) Appalachian Animal Rescue Center (AARC), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a no-kill shelter for the safety, care, and adoption of dogs and cats, as well as a thrift store, referred to as Appalachian Animal Rescue Thrift Store. AARC has been operating in Macon County for 62 years. Started in October 1963 by a group of animal lovers, AARC has dedicated its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned, neglected, and at-risk animals across Western North Carolina.
AARC provides a haven where animals can heal and thrive while also working to educate the community on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Through advocacy, spay/neuter programs, and compassionate care, AARC aims to reduce animal overpopulation and create a brighter future for animals in our region.
Both facilities employ working staff, and volunteers and are overseen by a board of directors (nine at current count), who mainly ensure legal and fiduciary operation, set protocols and rules, and conduct fund-raising and public relations. The board also volunteers at both facilities and holds regular meetings with the managers. In addition to officers (president, vice president, treasurer, secretary), board members also have specific functions based on background and skills: facilities director, publicity manager, fund-raising director, etc.
The AARC shelter, located at 851 Lake Emory Road, currently employs two co-managers, both with years of veterinary medicine experience, and four other employees. Several volunteers assist with multiple chores, dog-walking, and cat socialization.
The AARC Thrift Store, located at 1521 Old Murphy Road has a manager, assistant manager, and four other employees, as well as several volunteers who help to sort donations, help with donation drop-offs, and assist with customers.
Services offered by the AARC Shelter include adoptions, intakes, fostering, and low-cost spay/neuter services through both the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the Snippet Bus run by Noah’s Ark Humane Society and located on the premises of AARC. Educational opportunities with the public are also available.
Based on an average over the last three years, annual intakes totaled 1,146 and adoptions, 1,063. The spay/neuters sent to ASPCA are 25-28 animals twice a month, and the Snippet Bus provides clinics twice a week.
The AARC Thrift Shop offers new and gently used items available at low-cost prices, and all sales support the shelter and the organization. Because AARC is completely nonprofit, the organization survives solely on Thrift Store sales, adoptions, donations (money and supplies) from the public and board members, fund-raising events, and grants and gifts from estates.
The Appalachian Animal Rescue Center and Thrift Store are always looking for volunteers, donors, and fosters. The shelter would also love to have more dedicated dog walkers and volunteers to help socialize cats and dogs, or a “handy man” who can help with minor repairs.
Anyone interested in learning more about this organization and how they can help can visit the AARC’s Open House at 851 Lake Emory Road on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be tours, various fun and educational activities, dogs and cats to meet and adopt, and food/drinks available for a small donation. More details on each location can also be found on the website: appalachiananimalrescuecenter.com and on Facebook: AARC Franklin, NC (shelter) and AARC Thrift Shop.
We look forward to the future for our shelter, which involves continuing to upgrade big dog runs and play group areas. For our store, a new outbuilding is planned to display small household items and to move furniture inside the store. We are dedicated to giving cats and dogs in our care their best lives until they are adopted to their forever families.