Why Donate to ACN?

Animal Compassion Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no government funding or assistance. All of our programs are supported through grants, fundraisers, memberships and donations from generous animal advocates like you.

Our area is fortunate to have so many animal welfare groups – each dedicated to a different aspect of animal rescue and almost all worthy of funding.

Animal Compassion Network’s focus is comprehensive, offering 17 programs aimed at improving the lives of animals in need. We pull unwanted cats and dogs out of shelters and other dire situations and put them into foster homes. We also offer re-homing services to people who cannot keep their own family pet and to private rescuers who need a loving adoptive home for the cat or dog they have taken in. An especially important area of assistance, especially in the current economy, is aimed at home retention. We provide assistance to families who want to keep their pet but need a little help to get through a troubled time. Of course, in addition to helping pets in need, ACN works diligently to prevent more unwanted animals from being born through our spay/neuter assistance program.

What sets ACN apart is our safe-for-life philosophy. We believe that once someone makes a commitment to an animal, it becomes their responsibility to make sure that animal is safe and happy, even if they must be re-homed. Especially if they must be re-homed. Too many times people surrender their pet to a shelter and walk away telling themselves that their dog or cat will be the one chosen out of the hundreds in line for the adoption room. Or they advertise their pet as Free To Good Home and tell themselves that the person answering the ad really does have the best of intentions, although those of us in animal welfare know the harsh realities of their probable fate all too well. But, while ACN is the first to shatter their illusion that they “did the best they could,” we are also the first one to offer help to re-home a pet the responsible way and at no charge.

In addition to an interview process with two or three screeners, our adopters must sign a contract agreeing to certain standards of care and our return policy. Adopters must also agree to a home visit. While some rescue groups and shelters place the emphasis on how many animals they can adopt out, our focus is on how many animals we can adopt out to responsible, loving homes. After all, what’s the point of rescuing a cat who was left behind when their person moved only to re-home them as a barn cat? Why bother saving a dog from life on a chain only to adopt him to another home that will tether him? ACN is looking to save them once, ensuring them a good, happy life the first time around. We fall head over heels for each of the 140 cats and dogs in the network, and we work tirelessly for them as if they were our own cats and dogs.

We at ACN hold ourselves to a lifelong commitment to these animals. Once a cat or dog enters the network, we become responsible for them for life. Even if ten years has passed since the adoption, all network animals must be returned to ACN and they will always have a place in our foster care. Amazingly, we successfully adopt out over 550 cats and dogs a year to carefully screened, loving homes. And when we go to sleep at night, it’s with the knowledge that every one of our cats and dogs finally has the life they deserve. For life.

Please consider donating online to ACN today. You may also mail your donation to ACN, 803 Fairview Street, Asheville, NC 28803. Because each of our 17 programs is run by a volunteer and not an employee, more of your money reaches the animals who need it. Thanks to the caliber of our ACN volunteers, we often accomplish more than what many other organizations do with numerous employees.

In addition to monetary donations, ACN needs donations of food, supplies, etc. Please see our Wish List. Donations may also be dropped off at Pet Harmony, ACN’s pet store for rescued petsor you may call (828) 258-4820 if you need a pick up.