Animal Shelters & Rescues in Las Vegas

Las Vegas's own animal shelter takes in stray and lost pets, but it is not the only place pets are rehomed. Private humane societies and volunteer rescues, many of them foster-based with no building to visit, find homes for pets too. This guide covers the public side: who to call about a stray, what the rules say, and what to expect when you adopt or rehome a pet.

The city animal shelter

In the City of Las Vegas, Animal Protection Services enforces the animal rules in Title VII of the Las Vegas Municipal Code and responds to animal-related complaints. The city's page lists The Animal Foundation under adoption and says it houses and cares for animals. If you live in Henderson or Boulder City, The Animal Foundation says to contact your local shelter.

Found a stray or lost your pet

The Animal Foundation says that lost pets picked up in the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas or Clark County are brought to it, and that they are held for 72 hours under the jurisdiction of the city or county animal protection agency before being released to the shelter for adoption. Stray cats with no identification can be exempt from that hold. Its Lost and Found page lists the animals currently in its shelter, and it says to contact your microchip company to confirm your contact details are correct.

If you found a dog, The Animal Foundation says to have it scanned for a microchip at an animal hospital or pet supply store, and that you may be asked to make an appointment to bring a found dog to the shelter.

Licenses and microchips

The City of Las Vegas pet licensing site says licenses are required for all dogs and cats over 4 months of age and must be renewed each year, and a valid rabies certificate is needed. Under city rules, dogs, cats, ferrets, pet rabbits and potbellied pigs must be spayed or neutered by four months of age unless the owner has a current exemption.

Surrendering or rehoming a pet

The Animal Foundation says there are alternatives to surrendering a pet to its shelter and that admissions are by appointment only. Look into rehoming the pet yourself or getting help to keep it before you make an appointment.

Adopting a pet

You can browse adoptable pets on The Animal Foundation's adoption page. Meet the pet more than once if you can, ask what the staff know about its history and behavior, and have your landlord's pet policy ready before you apply.

About these listings

Many listings here were added from public business data and have not been claimed yet. Ask the shelter or rescue directly about opening hours, adoptable pets and whether it takes surrenders. If you run one of these shelters or rescues, you can claim or correct its listing from its page.