January 2021

In 2007, a group of committed volunteers came together to found Brother Wolf Canine Rescue. The then fledgling nonprofit organization was born out of a desire to save the lives of adoptable dogs who were being euthanized at the local county shelter. At that time, most of the animals entering the county shelter were being euthanized. They wrote their mission statement boldly, stating their purpose as providing the resources and lifesaving programs to build no-kill communities.

Brother Wolf started a revolution in Asheville. The momentum built: donors gave, fosters took in animals, volunteers assisted in every facet, a building was secured, staff were brought on, a thrift store was opened, the community stepped up to adopt, and in 2010 the organization changed its name to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and extended their help to cats and small animals as well.

Thousands of people and several organizations came together to save animals’ lives and it made a big difference. In less than a decade, Brother Wolf reached the goal within our county. Buncombe County had become a “no-kill” community, meaning that 90% or more of the animals entering the shelter system had live outcomes such as adoption. What an accomplishment to celebrate!

In 2020, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s board of directors and senior staff began conversations about creating a new mission statement that would look into the future to address the current and upcoming needs of animals in Western North Carolina today. Thanks largely to Brother Wolf’s work since 2007, the landscape of animal rescue here has greatly changed and it became clear that the organization was ready to tackle new goals to best serve the animals who depend on us.

We are excited to share Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s new mission and vision statement with you as we go into 2021!

Mission

To better the lives of companion animals and the people who love them.

Vision

We envision a community where all companion animals are valued, cared for and thriving, and where lives are enriched by the special bond between people and animals.

We are propelled by a deep commitment to better the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. The human-animal bond changes lives in both directions; we see this in our work every single day. “Who saved who” is a saying that rings very true to us. To create a kinder world for animals, we must show kindness to each other. Within animal welfare, this translates to welcoming adopters and volunteers from all backgrounds, providing assistance for pets and their families, working to keep pets in loving homes, making veterinary care affordable and accessible, being a true partner to overburdened shelters, involving the whole community in helping vulnerable animals, and more.

Brother Wolf’s programs are built to respond to our community’s evolving needs and to save the greatest number of animals’ lives possible. Today, Brother Wolf impacts the lives of over 9,000 animals each year through adoption and pet retention programs, two low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinics, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, extensive volunteer and foster networks, and a trap-neuter-return program for community cats.

We will continue to be nimble and responsive to the changing needs of animals and their people in Western North Carolina. And we know that one day we will see a community where all companion animals are valued, cared for and thriving, and where lives are enriched by the special bond between people and animals. We know this because we can look back at how far we’ve already come together. 

We thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together we save lives!