Avery County in Western NC is the only county in the state without a county supported animal control, welfare and shelter program and enforceable animal welfare laws. The County Commissioners have been offered very large private donations to fund this, which they turned down.  The county is overrun with litters, dogs without vaccinations, proper shelter and food.  A county program could assist our residents with affordable spay and neuter, vaccinations and shelter for lost, abandoned and neglected animals as well as dead animal pick up and disposal. There is already a donation funded Humane society shelter and an another organization who has been sheltering animals, getting vet care  for take ins, and helping residents with food and shelter for their animals.  https://www.facebook.com/AveryCountyAnimalSupport The commissioners have refused funding to both. ACAS has now folded. The commissioners had decided to spend funds on sharing a new shelter with Mitchell county which is are already overwhelmed. The new Shelter would be far from Northern Avery County.That money needs to spent in Avery County! This is not a solution. We are rural, mountain community with so many dogs! Turning a blind eye is unacceptable. Many people here love their pets and take care of their hunting dogs, but there is a huge black hole created by the neglect of the county. Mitchell County was wise enough to decline taking on Avery's Crisis. The problem is now squarely in the commissioners laps.