Pet Friendly Asheville

Does Fido like to explore the town as much as you do? If you have a four legged traveling companion, the following list is for you! We have compiled a list of pet friendly hotels, restaurants, and attractions for you to enjoy.

You will find a very pet friendly environment in Asheville. Since more and more folks are traveling with their pet companions, here are some resources for your visit to Western North Carolina. Most of the businesses listed are canine based, but know that Asheville also welcomes your feathered, finned, and prickly pets as well!

Pet Kennels & Day Care
If you need a “hotel” or a “play/spa day” for your pet, here are a few local businesses to check out
At Play with Sparky, Asheville
Bed & Biscuit Pet Spa, Black Mountain
Happy Tails Country Club, Fairview
You Work, I’ll Play Dog Daycare, Asheville
Doghouse Doggy Day Care, Asheville
Dog Daze Doggie Daycare, Asheville
Dog – Ed, Asheville & surrounding

Shopping for Your Pet
Asheville has more than your basic pet supply stores, but also has an impressive array of unique specialty shops with great gifts for pet lovers and their beloved cats, dogs and other pets.

Waggers Dog Depot is the “Fun” place for dogs in Asheville – complete with a self-service dog wash. They offer a delicious variety of homemade treats & chews, dog clothing, collars, leashes, holiday and birthday gifts, tags & pet photography. They also provide a Grooming Salon for dogs and cats. They do not cage pets while they are in their facility, thus reducing their stress level. A state-of-the-art self serve wash is available for the do it yourselfer. Of course dogs are always welcome and will receive a treat. Near downtown at 1020 Merrimon Ave.

Patton Avenue Pet Company has a goal to be more than just a retail pet supply store. The aim to be a resource center for Asheville’s pet-loving community. This includes more than just the books on nutrition, health and training that can be borrowed from their companion animal library. The store has a staff that is knowledgeable in these areas and more, and will do their best to help you make the most out of your relationship with your pet. Furthermore, the store offers  local and regional experts holding seminars, workshops, and classes on a range of companion animal topics. Not only does Patton Avenue pet foster kitties from Brother Wolf, but they invite you to use the West Asheville Dog Park, located behind the store. 1388 Patton Avenue.

Pet Harmony– the goal of Pet Harmony is to make second-chance pets everyone’s first choice. In addition to matching you with the right pet to adopt, Pet Harmony also offers retail pet supplies, training and grooming for your pet. All proceeds benefit their lifesaving programs. If you’re going to buy kitty litter and get your dog groomed anyway, please consider doing it at the only place that puts your money back into saving more pets! Animal Compassion Network is a non-profit organization, so all of the proceeds from your Pet Harmony purchases and services go to help homeless pets!

Asheville Pet Supply, a local favorite, is a great stop for the health and environmentally-conscious pet owner seeking pet gifts, including organic pet foods and holistic pet treatments. It is located at 1451 Merrimon Avenue, a short drive north of downtown.

Animal Haven Thrift and Gift Shop allows pet lovers to shop while supporting animals. The thrift shop supports Animal Haven’s efforts to protect homeless and abused animals. They also supply pet food to the Meals on Wheels program. You can meet the animals that you help support while shopping for great bargains. Whether it’s brand name clothing, furniture, housewares, books, jewelry, CD’s or bird feeders, you’ll find it here with proceeds benefiting the animals. 65 Lower Grassy Branch Road in East Asheville

Three Dog Bakery  is the world’s first full-functioning bakery for dogs! They use only 100% human quality ingredients to create the best fresh baked, all natural and “pawsitively” yummy treats and food. The bakery also carries a wide variety of leashes, beds, bowls, treat jars, toys and dog related gift items. Kitty lovers will want to visit the “Pity the Poor Kitty” section. 21 Battery Park.

Funky Mutt Locally owned Funky Mutt is a fun and frisky shop for dogs, cats and their human companions. The tiny space is packed with goodies such as  leashes from recycled climbing rope, local handmade dog treats, pottery dog bone leash holders, doggie hoodies and raincoats, and tons of toys.  In our “Catmandu” section we have toys, treats, catnip, bling collars and kitty art.  Pick up some yummy dog treats, buy Fido a Hawaiian shirt and matching hemp collar, and grab a bag of organic cat nip for Miss Kitty. 30 North Lexington.

Woof Gang Bakery at Biltmore Park offers the very best in pet care and specializes in healthy dog and cat foods, treats and professional dog grooming. The store offers a variety of fun, fuzzy, floatable and tough toys, as well as fashionable accessories, collars, leads and more. Nearby, BETTE is a pet friendly shopping experience with fresh water and treats on hand for pups while their companions shop for the latest in ladies clothing and accessories.

The Tail Gate Market – is always hunting down fresh ideas for dogs and cats!  The Market is the place for healthy foods, treats and chews.  You can rest assured that all items brought into The Tailgait Market are thoroughly researched.  A holistic approach also includes the mind, which is why they have FUN, COOL toys of all shapes sizes and textures.  And, because, as the staff  says…. “Cute Counts”, they have beautiful collars, leashes, bowls and  dog and cat themed gifts for the humans who happen to be along with their pets while shopping.

Treasured Pets Asheville – a pet friendly boutique near the Crown Plaza hotel, minutes from downtown.

National Pet Store Chains: Several well-known pet store companies have locations in Asheville: PetSmart,SuperPetz, Pet Supplies Plus, Petco

Downtown Asheville
In addition to the bakery and boutique mentioned above, there are many pet friendly businesses throughout Asheville. Visit the following restaurants and shops and thank them for loving dogs as much as you do!

Battery Park Book Exchange and Wine Bar: Features a dog espresso bar – all canine companions eat and drink for free!

Eagle Street Coffee Emporium: Your dog is welcome! Get a cup of coffee and lounge with your pup – dog treats are available!

Urban Outfitters: allows your dog inside the store, but please keep it leashed.

12 Bones Smokehouse  has an outdoor area for you and your pet to dine at both of its locations.

Carmel’s Restaurant and Bar on the corner of Page Avenue and Battery Park, features an outdoor covered dining patio for you and your four legged friend.

City Bakery and Cafe on Biltmore Avenue, with an active patio where your dog is welcome

Hannah Flannagins Pub on Biltmore Avenue, features indoor and outdoor dining. Your dog is welcome leashed and must please remain in the patio area.

Nine Mile Restaurant on Montford Avenue – beautiful spot, great food, what more could you ask for? Your wish has been granted – Nine Mile offers an outdoor dining option for you and your pet.

Over Easy Cafe on Broadway – be prepared to get bombarded with “Awww how cute!” from staffers and diners alike.

Posana Cafe on Biltmore Avenue near Pack Place, a great place to sit down, sip a glass or organic wine, and share a meal with your dog on their open air patio.

Laughing Seed Cafe on Wall Street also offers extensive outdoor dining options for you and your pet.

West End Bakery on Haywood Road – they love dogs! Lounge outside with your pet. They will provide water if requested.

Urban Burrito on Merrimon Avenue, offers California Style burritos and food. There is an outdoor patio for you and your dog.

Bistro 1896 – located near Pack Place downtown. Provides an outdoor seating area.

Edna’s of Asheville – a local coffee shop who puts a pug on every mug! Edna’s has ample outdoor dog friendly seating and provides water for your pup.

Asheville Pizza and Brewing  -dogs must be leashed and well behaved. The servers are happy to provide drinking water for your pooch, as well as a friendly pat on the head!

Twin Leaf Brewery – If your dogs are friendly, then so is the staff! The bar manager makes dog treats to hand out to well behaved canines.

French Broad River Park: this lovely park meanders alongside the banks of the French Broad River, and features a vast area of open green space with old trees, a wildflower garden, a paved trail, a gazebo, picnic tables and grills, an observation deck, and a small playground. The Dog Park features a large fenced-in one acre area made for exercising and socializing your pooch! Water and poop bags provided at locations throughout the park. Located at Amboy Rd. and Riverview Dr. in west Asheville, not far from Biltmore Estate, or downtown Asheville.

Azalea Dog Park: Located on Azalea Rd. along the Swannanoa River in east Asheville, this 155-acre park is currently being developed as one of Asheville’s top parks. The John B. Lewis Soccer complex consists of 4 soccer fields and a picnic shelter.  More special features to come including trails, disc golf, lakes, a retreat center, the historic Thomas Wolfe cabin and much more.
Much is on the horizon for Azalea Park. Check back from time to time to see the latest in making this dream of a new community park for Asheville come true. The dog park features an area for large dogs, and a smaller fenced in area for smaller canine companions.

West Asheville Dog Park: Located behind the Patton Avenue Pet Company, the dog park is open to all dogs and their owners during normal business hours.

Both of these parks allow your dogs to be off leash within the fenced area of the park. Throughout the rest of the park, in the non dog designated area, your dog is welcome but please keep it leashed.

Pets at Biltmore Estate
The grounds of Biltmore Estate are perfect for walking your pets, but please make sure to keep them securely leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed inside the estate or other estate buildings such as the winery, restaurants, and shops.

Dogs on the Blue Ridge Parkway
In addition to being a great place for a dog to hang its head out the window and enjoy the fresh mountain air, dogs are allowed on the more than 100 varied trails throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash or under physical restraint at all times while along the Parkway.

Dogs on Hiking Trails in the National Forests
You can take your dog on any of the hiking trails in the Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. Dogs may not be left unattended, and they must be leashed and cleaned up after. Dogs are not allowed in buildings. The camping and tent areas also allow dogs. .

Dogs in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are only allowed on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in a trash receptacle. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs. Large national parks that have extensive backcountry areas as a rule do not allow dogs on trails. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has prohibited dogs in the backcountry since the park was first established in the 1930s. The park prohibits dogs on hiking trails for several reasons:
– Dogs can carry disease into the park’s wildlife populations.
– Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.
– Dogs bark and disturb the quiet of the wilderness. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.
– Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes and bears. In addition, if your dog disturbs and enrages a bear, it may lead the angry bear directly to you. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease and plants that are poisonous or full of painful thorns and burrs.
– Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors.

Please respect all national and local park rules regarding dogs: common courtesy allows for everyone to continue to enjoy these wonderful natural treasures with our pets.

Asheville Veterinarians & Animal Hospitals

Asheville Veterinary Associates West
50 New Leicester Hwy Asheville, NC 28806 828253-0451

Charlotte St. Animal Hospital
180 Charlotte St, Asheville, 828-232-0440

Animal Hospital of North Asheville
1 Beaverdam Rd, Asheville, 828-253-3393

Haw Creek Animal Hospital
1007 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, 828-298-1678

All Pets Animal Hospital
7 Reynolds Mountain Rd, Asheville, 828-645-5252

Pet Vet on Patton
2 Hansel Avenue, Asheville 828 232-9990

Best Friends Mobile Veterinary Clinic
39 Sweetbriar Court, Asheville 828 337-8333

Pinnacle Animal Hospital
200 Julian Lane, Suite 240, Arden, NC 28704 828676-2332

Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital [REACH] (24 hr)
677 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-4399

Pet Rescue and Adoption
Asheville Humane Society is dedicated to the respectful, humane treatment of animals and to providing helpful animal services to the people of our community.

Animal Haven of Asheville is a dedicated group of people with the goal of providing protection and refuge to homeless and abused animals. They work closely with other animal welfare organizations including kennel clubs, breed rescue groups, and directly with the public. The  goal is to alleviate overcrowding in the local animal shelters by providing an alternative to traditional sheltering.

Animal Compassion Network  is proud to be the largest, non-profit, safe-for-life animal welfare organization in Western North Carolina. They continually augment lifesaving and life-improving programs as new areas of need arise. They have also responded to local and national emergencies, such as the closing of All Creatures Great and Small in Henderson County and Hurricane Katrina, when called upon and serve as a driving force in legislative change towards more compassionate animal laws. ACN currently provides more than 22,500 free pet food meals to the public through their 9 partnering agencies, including Meals on Wheels, ABCCM, Downtown Welcome Table, Loving Food Resources and others.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue: Visit their community adoption center and Second Chance thrift store, located at 31 Glendale Avenue in Asheville, seven days a week (Monday-Saturday from 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-6pm) with many cats and dogs looking for homes.

Phoenix Landing:  a local exotic bird rescue. Phoenix Landing takes in relinquished parrots, rehabs as needed, and rehomes them to suitable families. This organization does a lot of local outreach and teaches classes in the Asheville area once a month. Check out their website for more information.