Animal shelters are filled with everyday heroes. They open their doors to scared and forgotten animals, working around the clock to feed, care, and show love. But the joy of every adoption is balanced with the struggle of tight budgets, crowded kennels, and stories that don’t always end as they should. That’s what makes their work extraordinary.
These challenges became all too real for the shelter I’m spotlighting this week. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, a group that has saved countless animal lives, recently faced a trial that tested the very core of their mission. With forecasts calling for dangerous winds and torrential rain, Brother Wolf faced a critical choice. On September 26, 2024, they moved quickly to evacuate their entire campus, knowing it was the only way to keep the animals safe.
When Hurricane Helene struck, Brother Wolf was hit especially hard. The shelter that had been a safe haven for more than 100,000 animals since 2007 was lost to the floodwaters, along with everything inside. In an instant, a place that had always stood for hope and healing was turned into a scene of heartbreak. Yet even in the middle of such devastation, there was a bright spot—the animals were safely evacuated, thanks to the quick action of staff and the outpouring of support from their community.
Through it all, the Brother Wolf community showed up with incredible strength and compassion. The day before the storm hit, they worked side by side to move 100 animals into foster homes in just two hours. In the days that followed, despite limited internet and cell service, 150 more animals were safely transported out of the disaster zone. And in the weeks after, Brother Wolf’s team went even further, providing free veterinary care to 1,272 pets whose families had lost so much, and launching a new program to ensure pets and their humans could stay together through hard times.
The true heart of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue isn’t found in walls or buildings; it lives in the spirit of a community that comes together to make life better for both animals and people.
Brother Wolf’s dedication to the animals and people of their region is stronger than ever. Plans are already underway to secure higher ground in the Asheville area and build a new shelter with the help of a firm that specializes in creating animal care facilities. In the meantime, they continue to serve the community through adoption events, foster programs, and care for animals who have nowhere else to go. While their permanent home is being planned, their team is carrying on their mission from a temporary facility in Asheville.
Programs
The Stay Together Program was created to keep pets where they belong—at home with the families who love them. By offering short-term support, it eases the pressure on overcrowded shelters while helping families stay united with their animals during difficult times. After Hurricane Helene, this lifeline became even more critical. Brother Wolf quickly connected with more than 70 storm-impacted families, making it possible for them to keep their pets healthy, safe, and by their side when they needed comfort most.
Parting Thoughts
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is proof of what shelters do best, rising to meet challenges with heart and determination. Even after Hurricane Helene swept away their campus and so much of what they had built, their mission never wavered. They continue to rescue, care for, and protect animals in need, showing us that while buildings can be lost, the spirit of a shelter community cannot be washed away.
Brother Wolf has shown us that even in the hardest times, their mission never falters. Now they need us more than ever. Support your local shelter, or Brother Wolf Animal Rescue directly, and know that you’re helping turn hardship into hope for animals who have nowhere else to go. For more information about this shelter:
info@bwar.org
P.O Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814
828-505-3440
Registered 501(c)(3)
#BrotherWolfStrong #CompassionInAction #TogetherForAnimals #CommunityForAnimals