01.17.2024

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Rules + regs for your furry friends

Local government 101: Understanding the City of Asheville + Buncombe County animal codes

Reginald is helping point the way toward code compliance. | Photo by AVLtoday

Class is in session, Asheville. We’re teaching AVL GOV 101, where we break down different aspects of our local government so we can become engaged citizens who create healthier (and more effective) communities.

Today’s installment has gone to the dogs. That’s right — we’re talking animal codes. Whether your friends are furry, scaly, or feathery, there’s likely a City of Asheville or Buncombe County code that you need to know to keep your pets (and the public) safe + comfortable.

Get a license or permit

All dogs residing within the Asheville city limits are required to have a dog license by the age of six months. This $10 license tag must be worn by your dog at all times. Cats don’t need to have a license or display tags.

If you want to keep bees, livestock, a temporary goat (meaning one to help clear brush that won’t live with you permanently), or seven or more animals in one household, you’ll have to submit a permit application. With the possible exception of bees, obtaining a permit will require an inspection and sometimes interviews with neighbors. You won’t need a permit if you’re going to keep seven or more reptiles, fish, or amphibians.

In the areas outside Buncombe County municipalities, these licenses are not required.

Keep their health in mind

For both the County and the City, all dogs and cats four months or older must be vaccinated for rabies. For the County, dogs and cats must display their rabies tags. The City only requires that dogs display tags; cats still have to be rabies vaccinated and owners should be prepared to show proof, but the tags aren’t required.

All dogs and cats six months or older must either be spayed or neutered, but you can get a $100 unaltered permit to avoid this requirement — they’re available at City Hall or the Buncombe County Animal Shelter.

A few more rules to follow

Asked

Every class needs a pop quiz — so how often does a dog license need to be renewed with the City of Asheville?

Hint: If you check out the full article, you’ll learn the answer there.

A. Every month
B. Every six months
C. Every year
D. Every other year

See if you made the grade

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Friendship Bracelet Class | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Dr., Asheville | $5 | Kiddos 8-12 years old can show their bestie appreciation with a handmade gift of chevron or candy stripe design — registration required.
Wolves in the Taproom: Black Metal Night | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | Free | Rock out to the ethereal riffs and howling melancholy of black metal beats with DJ Pavor Nocturnus & DJ Ghoul Incognito — the event is 18+.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Tea and Poetry Workshop | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dobra Tea East Asheville, 1011 Tunnel Rd., Ste. 180, Asheville | $15 | Share some tea, discuss your craft, and relax into the creative process with poets of all experience levels.
Butts & Boots Line Dancing and Two-Stepping | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Banks Ave. Bar, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | Free | Get into the groove with the free dance lessons — no partner, boots, or experience needed.

Friday, Jan. 19

Shrek Rave | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $15-$30 | “It’s dumb, just come have fun. Who cares. Cool is dead.” — that’s the motto for the traveling ogre-themed party.
Stand Up Comedy Storytelling Showcase | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8-10 p.m. | One World Brewing - Downtown, 10 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Laugh along with area comedians as the lineup explores January’s topic of love.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

Sip, sip, hooray

These alcohol-free drinks can raise your spirits this new year. | Photo provided by Six & Main

We’re mixing up the new year with tasty mocktails perfect for hosting a party, enjoying a night at home, or simply quenching your thirst in a new delicious way.

For the inspiring mixologists, we suggest the Hibiscus Cardamom Syrup by Portland Syrups. Want to practice your bartending skills? We’ve got you covered with this Cherry Limeade by Simple Times Mixers — all you have to do is add your favorite soda water. If you’re more of a pour-and-go type of person, choose any of these flavors from Sarilla.

Join us in raising a glass (or can) and toasting to tasty, alcohol-free indulgence.

Try these recipes

News Notes

Civic

Get ready to cast your vote. Buncombe County has shared a guide to the 2024 primary elections that includes details about registering to vote as well as sample ballots, early voting, and absentee ballots. You’ll also find information on how to get a free photo ID, which is a new requirement for NC voting.

Featured

Asheville made an appearance on CBS Mornings’ new series, where Lead National Correspondent David Begnaud is challenged to visit a surprise city and find a cool story within 48 hours. You’ll see a few familiar spots in the clip, but Chef Steven Goff of Tastee Diner took center stage with his story of service + purpose. Check out the episode.

Outdoors

The grass is getting greener. Buncombe County opened its first application window for Passive Recreation Lands projects providing publicly accessible outdoor spaces with minimal environmental impact. Environmental advocates, community groups, municipalities, and organizations can apply before Sunday, March 31.

Theatre

Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective is kicking off its 14th season with “The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks, and Curls,” which honors the hair of Black women and the personal + political stories that surround it. The show will run Thursdays through Saturdays from Feb. 1 to 17 and Sundays, Feb. 11 and 18 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

Arts

The Asheville Symphony has announced its first-ever artist residency, which will celebrate the influence of the violin and feature Asheville native and violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley as well as violinist Shanshan Yao. The week-long residency will take place March 12-18 and include a concert, masterclass, and benefit.

Number

10. That’s how many years in business Asheville-based Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn is celebrating with new flavors and a new design. The three new flavors, Mexican Street Corn, Mediterranean Herb, and Caribbean Jerk, are available online in the new packages and will be available in grocery stores in the second quarter of 2024.

Edu

Are you (or your student) thinking of college? Don’t miss the Regular Decision Deadline for the 2024-25 school year. Apply to UNC Asheville by Feb. 1 — and be sure to check out Access Asheville’s full tuition coverage guarantee (think: free tuition + more for low- and middle-income families).*

Cause

You shop local, you eat local — how about donating blood local? Donate blood and save lives right here in your community with your community blood center, The Blood Connection. Donate today, lifesaver.*

Film

Celebrate + explore the Cherokee language

Explore the Cherokee language through local screenings of ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)

Still of four people from the "We Will Speak" documentary

The film pursues a language + its stories. | Still from ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak), courtesy of Museum of the Cherokee People

There are three federally recognized Tribes of Cherokee — Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians — with more than 430,000 citizens among them. However, fewer than 1,500 citizens speak the Cherokee language fluently. ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak) examines the language’s crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and aims to offer empowerment to Indigenous voices.

This award-winning documentary was filmed around North Carolina and Oklahoma, diving deep into interviews, archival materials, and community gatherings to capture the efforts of the activists, artists, and educators working to save the language.

You can catch a screening of ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak) on Monday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at Mars Hill University and on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Pack Memorial Library. Both screenings are free and will feature a Q+A with the filmmakers.

Bonus: If you want to continue an exploration of the Cherokee language after you’ve seen the film, you can take a course for free with your Buncobme County library card.

The Buy

The Buy 1.17.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The No. 1 best-selling GUESS women’s fashion sneaker, which has a sleek and slim design and modern color choices (including some sparkling metallics).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

While we’re on the subject on animals, there’s a beloved (at least by me) animal holiday on the horizon. On Friday, Feb. 2, groundhogs all over the country will be making an appearance to let us know how much longer we have to endure this bitter cold. Whether or not you believe in the creatures’ meteorological mastery, you can make the trip to Chimney Rock’s 19th Annual Groudhog Day Celebration. Meet the psychic groundhogs Tater and Yammy in person or watch the celebration online.

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