The Haywood County Animal Shelter is celebrating the thousands of animals saved and the fifth anniversary of the new shelter’s opening from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in the Educational Center, hosted by The Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter.

In addition to raising funds for construction of the animal shelter five years ago, Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter has continued the support, including: the addition of the educational center, sound buffers, glass doors with revolving feeding pans at bottom, a new washing machine, equipment, medicines and food, and staff plus a dog walking path behind the shelter. The Friends also cover the cost of surgeries needed by shelter animals to become adoptable. This has been made possible from fund raising and donations by supporters of the Friends.