WCRAS Fee Schedule
Washoe County Code 55.090(2) requires all fees required to be paid pursuant to Washoe County Code, Chapter 55 (animals and fowl) as set by Washoe County Board of County Commissioners (Board). The Board also approves fee waivers for specific circumstances. Fees for WCRAS include fees for licenses and permits, field enforcement, shelter operations and daily care, vaccinations and medical services.
When these fees apply: Eligible dogs in Washoe County must have a current license with WCRAS. Licensing fees depend on whether the dog is spayed/neutered, if the owner is a senior (60+), and the choice between a 1-year or 3-year license. Additional fees may apply for optional replacement tags or late renewals. Learn more about dog licensing requirements here: Dog Licensing in Washoe County.
| Type | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Unaltered dog (not spayed/neutered, 1-year) | $30.00 |
| Unaltered dog (not spayed/neutered, 3-year) | $90.00 |
| Altered dog (spayed/neutered, 1-year) | $16.00 |
| Altered dog (spayed/neutered, 3-year) | $48.00 |
| Senior 60+ altered dog (spayed/neutered, 1-year) | $8.00 |
| Senior 60+ altered dog (spayed/neutered, 3-year) | $24.00 |
| Active/Retired military altered dog (spayed/neutered, 1-year) | FREE |
| License replacement tag | $5.00 |
| License fee late payment penalty | $10.00 |
When these fees apply: Permit fees apply to specific cases, including having more than 5 dogs and/or 7 cats on a single property, owning a dog that has been declared dangerous or declared vicious, keeping of specific exotic animals, or other situations requiring special authorization. Learn more about permit requirements here: Permits.
| Type | Current Fee | New Fee (Effective Jan 1, 2025) | New Fee (Effective Jan 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variance Permit Annual Fee | $50.00 | $200.00 | $400.00 |
| Dangerous or Vicious Dog Annual Fee | $50.00 | $250.00 | $500.00 |
| Exotic Animal Permit Annual Fee | $50.00 | $125.00 | $250.00 |
| Breeder's Permit (Annual) | No Fee | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
| Commercial Animal Welfare Permit (Annual) | No Fee | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Fee Waivers: Variance Permit fees can be waived for the owner/operator(s) of a rescue organization that uses their residence to foster animals. The rescue organization must be in full compliance with all Washoe County Codes, in good standing with WCRAS, and actively transferring animals from WCRAS into their program during each calendar year. This does not apply to fosters associated with the rescue organizations. .
When these fees apply: Impound fees are incurred when an animal is taken into custody by Washoe County Regional Animal Services due to being at large or in unsafe conditions.
| Type | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st Impound (Dog) | $60.00 |
| 2nd Impound (Dog) | $75.00 |
| 3rd Impound (Dog) | $100.00 |
| Impound (Cat) | $60.00 |
| Impound (Livestock) | $90.00 |
Fee Waivers:
- First-Time Impound: Fees for impound, daily care, and vaccinations (excluding licensing and veterinary fees) are waived if the animal is reclaimed within 24 hours of arriving at the shelter. Subsequent impounds will be subject to full fees regardless of pick-up time. Animals without a microchip must be microchipped before release.
- Impound Due to Special Circumstances: Fees for impound, daily care (up to 5 days), and vaccinations (excluding licensing and veterinary fees) can be waived under these conditions:
- The owner was transported to the hospital due to a significant incident or accident.
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to a natural or man-made disaster (e.g., fire, flood, hurricane).
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to domestic violence.
- The owner has passed away, and the animal is being reclaimed by the next of kin or an authorized designee.
When these fees apply: Daily animal care fees are incurred for each day an animal is cared for at Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
| Animal Type | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Daily care (Dog) | $14.00/day |
| Daily care (Cat) | $8.00/day |
| Quarantine daily care (Dog/Cat/Ferret quarantined at WCRAS) | $15.00/day |
| Daily care (Livestock) | $43.00/day |
| Daily care (Pocket Pet/Small Exotic) | $10.00/day |
| Daily care (Exotic Animal) | $43.00/day |
| Specialty Feed, Enrichment for Livestock, Exotic Animals, etc. | Actual cost |
Fee Waivers:
- Dangerous/Vicious Dog: Daily care fees (excluding any veterinary fees) may be waived for dogs pending a dangerous or vicious dog determination if the dog is surrendered within 5 days of impound.
- First-Time Impound: Fees for impound, daily care, and vaccinations (excluding licensing and veterinary fees) are waived if the animal is reclaimed within 24 hours of arriving at the shelter. Subsequent impounds will be subject to full fees regardless of pick-up time. Animals without a microchip must be microchipped before release.
- Impound Due to Special Circumstances: Fees for impound, daily care (up to 5 days), and vaccinations (excluding licensing and veterinary fees) can be waived under these conditions:
- The owner was transported to the hospital due to a significant incident or accident.
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to a natural or man-made disaster (e.g., fire, flood, hurricane).
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to domestic violence.
- The owner has passed away, and the animal is being reclaimed by the next of kin or an authorized designee.
When these fees apply: Quarantine fees are charged when an animal has bitten a person, breaking skin. In accordance with Washoe County Code 55.610, they must be quarantined and monitored for signs of rabies
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Home Quarantine Sign-Off Fee (includes field staff time and release/sign-off of quarantine) | $66.00 |
| WCRAS Quarantine Fee (includes intake and release/sign-off of quarantine; does not include daily care fees) | $16.00 |
Note: Quarantine fees do not apply to animals that complete an approved home quarantine and are brought to WCRAS by their owner for the final sign-off.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Emergency Owner Surrender - Shelter | $30.00 |
| Emergency Owner Surrender - Field | $174.00 |
| Livestock Hauling Fee | $145.00/animal |
| Field Service Fee (courtesy response to pick up and transport owned animal) | $98.00 |
| Deceased animal pickup (Owned animal, under 75lbs; does not include disposal fee) | $70.00 |
| Deceased animal pickup (Owned animal, over 75lbs; limited to large dogs and small livestock such as goats or sheep; does not include disposal fee) | $148.00 |
| Disposal (deceased, owned animal) | $36.00 |
| Emergency safe hold (For pets affected by natural disasters, domestic violence situations, owner hospitalizations, and death of owner) | No impound or daily care fees; licensing fees apply |
- Impound Due to Special Circumstances: Fees for impound, daily care (up to 5 days), and vaccinations (excluding licensing and veterinary fees) can be waived under these conditions:
- The owner was transported to the hospital due to a significant incident or accident.
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to a natural or man-made disaster (e.g., fire, flood, hurricane).
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to domestic violence.
- The owner has passed away, and the animal is being reclaimed by the next of kin or an authorized designee.
When these fees apply: Medical service fees are incurred as needed to provide essential and humane care for animals in the shelter. If medical care is required beyond the scope of what shelter staff can provide, the animal may be referred to an outside veterinary practice, and any associated costs will be the responsibility of the owner.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Euthanasia (for pets in our care with severe medical issues or deemed dangerous or vicious) | $47.00 |
| Animal Disease Lab Testing (for rabies exposed animals, does not include euthanasia) | Actual cost |
| Necropsy (internal investigations only) | $64.00 |
| Referred Outside Veterinary Service Fee (injured animals) | Actual cost |
| Veterinary Exam - Complex (internal investigations only) | $249.00 |
| Veterinary Exam - Routine (internal investigations only) | $63.00 |
| Medical Treatment Fee for Impounded animal (Rx, wrap/bandage change, wound care, etc.) | Actual cost |
When these fees apply: Clinic fees are incurred when a pet is brought to Washoe County Regional Animal Services for walk-in microchip services or a vaccination clinic hosted by Washoe County Regional Animal Services. Learn more about WCRAS vaccine clinics here: WCRAS Vaccination clinics
| Vaccine Type | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Microchip (Washoe County resident) | FREE |
| Microchip (Non-Washoe County resident) | $31.00 |
| Rabies (Dog or Cat) | $15.00 |
| FVRCP (Cat Vaccine) | $15.00 |
| DA2PP (Canine Vaccine) | $15.00 |
| Oral Bordetella (Kennel Cough) | $15.00 |
| Pyrantel (De-worm) | $10.00 |
| Appointment Admin Fee | $10.00 |
Fee Waivers:
- Special Events: Fees for required and core vaccinations, de-wormer, license fees, and appointment administration fees can be waived for for special events as designated by the Director of Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General
Washoe County Regional Animal Services recently had a fee study conducted to help provide fiscal projections based on recommended cost recovery levels. Recommendations were based upon careful consideration of the results of the cost analysis, historical cost recovery levels, and market comparisons. Effective January 1, 2025, licensing fees will be increasing. A dedicated portion of unaltered dog license fees will roll back into a public spay & neuter program to help decrease the overpopulation of animals within our community.
We accept cash, checks, money orders, cashier's checks, debit cards, and credit cards.
Licensing
Anyone over the age of 60 with an altered (Spayed or Neutered) dog.
Active/Retired military members with an altered (Spayed or Neutered) dog.
Discounts are provided as part of our initiative to encourage spaying and neutering, which helps control pet overpopulation in our community.
Permit Fees
Any residence with more than 5 dogs or 7 cats over the age of 4 months.
The Owner/Operator of a rescue organization that uses their residence to foster animals. The organization must be compliant with Washoe County Codes, in good standing with WCRAS, and actively transferring animals from WCRAS into their program each calendar year. This does not apply to individual fosters.
This is the annual fee required by WCC 55.760 to keep a dog declared dangerous or vicious.
WCC 55.650 requires owners of Tier 2 and Tier 3 exotic animals to obtain a permit through WCRAS. Examples include constrictors over 12 ft/30 lbs, Nile monitors, kinkajous, ocelots, servals, clouded leopards, tigers, wolves, and Komodo dragons.
A dealer, operator or person who is responsible for the operation of a commercial animal establishment that engages in the breeding of 5 or more litters of cats or dogs in a calendar year to sell, trade or give away to others.
A business impact survey needs to be conducted before a fee can be assessed.
Any pet store, kennel, or boarding facility used for the business of buying, selling, or boarding animals must obtain this permit.
A business impact survey needs to be conducted before a fee can be assessed.
Impound Fees
A fee that is incurred when an animal is taken into custody by Washoe County Regional Animal Services due to the animal being at large or in unsafe conditionss.
Yes. Fees are waived if:
- The animal is reclaimed within 24 hours on a first offense and leaves with a microchip.
- The owner was transported to the hospital due to a significant incident or accident.
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to a natural or man-made disaster.
- The owner is temporarily unable to care for the animal due to domestic violence.
- The owner has passed away, and the animal is being reclaimed by the next of kin or an authorized designee.
Daily Animal Care Fees
This fee includes daily cleaning, feeding, and care of the animal while in our custody.
Quarantine requires extra daily observation, above normal animal care, and increased safety measures due to the potential rabies exposure.
Yes. Fees may be waived:
- For dog(s) pending dangerous/vicious determination if the dog is surrendered within 5 days of impound.
- Animals reclaimed within 24 hours of arriving at the shelter (first offense).
- The owner was transported to the hospital due to a significant incident or accident.
- The owner was temporarily unable to care for the animal due to a natural or man-made disaster.
- The owner is temporarily unable to care for the animal due to domestic violence.
- The owner has passed away, and the animal is being reclaimed by the next of kin or an authorized designee.
Quarantine Fees
If conditions are met, quarantine may occur at the owner's home. (Bites and quarantines) For an additional fee a WCRAS Officer can be dispatched to the home to evaluate and release an animal from home quarantine.
This fee covers services related to animal intake for quarantine and quarantine release/sign-off. Daily care fees are separate.
Field & Other Fees
Emergency Owner Surrender - Shelter: An animal surrendered at WCRAS. Emergency Owner Surrender - Field: An animal surrendered to an officer in the field.
Temporary hold for pets affected by owner hospitalization, disasters, domestic violence, or death of owner.
Medical Service Fees
No, we do not provide public veterinary services.
Yes, any prescribed medications will be sent home with your pet.
Vaccination Fees
No, we do not offer the canine influenza vaccine.
This fee helps cover costs for scheduling. If you attend your appointment, it’s applied to your total. If you miss the appointment, the fee becomes a donation to the Injured Animal Fund.
Misc. Questions
All donations support the Injured Animal Fund which is used to provide medical care for animals in our care, along with assistance for at-risk pets belonging to qualifying seniors, individuals who are homebound, or those experiencing homelessness.
Yes, Animal Services can bill you if you are unable to pay the fees due.