Animal Services

Animal Services does not provide pet adoption services. WCRAS and Nevada Humane Society (NHS) are partnering agencies that provide separate services to the community.  Through the partnership, NHS facilitates the adoption process for the majority of the unclaimed animals that come into our facility.  In addition, WCRAS works with SPCA of Northern Nevada as well as a multitude of rescue groups to place the remaining adoptable animals.

For more information on adopting a pet through the Nevada Humane Society, please visit the Nevada Humane Society website.

Additional animal adoptions websites: SPCA of Northern Nevada,  Pet Network, Res-Que, Boxers and Buddies

Washoe County Regional Animal Services recommends pets be taken to their veterinarian for these services, however, we recognize that in times of hardship this may not be possible.

Therefore, WCRAS will accept euthanasia requests in hardship situations with the understanding that our rescue partners, including veterinary staff, will be consulted in order to determine the best outcome for the animal.

If our rescue partners, such as Nevada Humane Society, determine the animal can be treated and adopted out to a new home WCRAS will release the animal to the rescue group for continued care and adoption.

If it is your determination that the only outcome for your pet is euthanasia, then you must take your pet to your veterinarian.

We have complied a list of helpful steps to take if you have lost your pet. You can view the full list here: Lost a pet

In addition to filing a lost report with Animal Services and with your microchip company, you can view every stray pet that is brought to the shelter or reported as found by the public online on our found animals page. This page is updated every 30 minutes and includes pets that are on our officer's trucks.  

Sometimes it can be hard to identify your pet from just a picture online, in this case you may also want to visit the shelter to view the stray pets in person. The shelter is located at 2825 Longley Lane Suite A and is open from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. It is also open on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. The shelter is closed on holidays.

When an animal enters our shelter, our staff immediately begin providing care and treatment if necessary. The fees associated with redeeming your animal vary depending factors such as the license status and length of time the animal was in our care.

Click here to review our fee schedule. 

WCRAS holds each stray animal for five days before the pet becomes available for transfer to an approved rescue partner. WCRAS partners with Nevada Humane Society, SPCA of Northern Nevada, as well as a variety of other approved rescue groups who can transfer unclaimed animals into their programs for continued care and help finding a happy home.