Animal Services

Animal Care

WCRAS' facility includes 110 dog kennels and 76 cat condos for general housing areas with an additional 30 dog kennels and 18 cat kennels which are used for quarantine and disease isolation areas. The facility also includes a six-stall barn for livestock, a four-stall coop for fowl and is equipped to house a variety of other animals, including reptiles, birds, rabbits, fish and livestock, depending on the need.

As government run lost and found animal shelter, WCRAS is designed with limited capacity for the short-term housing of animals found within Washoe County. The facility impounds an average of 9,900 animals each year, either brought in by citizens or picked up by field staff. Of these, approximately 75% are lost animals. The remaining 25% include animals held for bite quarantines, those involved in cruelty cases or dangerous dog investigations, safeholds, deceased animals, and others outside the lost/found category.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of 9 Animal Care staff and 1 supervisor works every day to ensure the health and well-being of all animals in our care. Their responsibilities include:

• Feeding animals and maintaining clean, sanitized kennels
• Providing daily in-kennel enrichment for all animals
• Offering out-of-kennel enrichment and socialization for longer-term residents
• Processing each animal intake, which includes physical exams, vaccinations, disease screening, and parasite prevention.
• Performing behavior assessments on dogs
• Observing and documenting animal behavior to help guide the best placement or pathway plan
• Assisting the public in identifying their lost pets
• Completing essential housekeeping tasks such as dishes, laundry, floor cleaning, window cleaning, trash, and managing donations
• Coordinating with rescues to find the best placement options for animals in need

Lost & Found Services

WCRAS works diligently to reunite lost pets with their families. In 2024, we reunited 60% of the lost dogs that came into our care and 9% of the cats! Our philosophy is that every animal has a home and we want to help find it, whether it is a lost animal that needs help being reunited with its family or if it has been abandoned and in need of a new place to call home.
WCRAS takes reunification seriously! Take a look at programs we offer to help your lost pet get back home:

• We offer FREE microchips and personalized pet ID tags for Washoe County residents.
• With the support of our partners, we have a robust public microchip scanning station program located within businesses and fire stations throughout Washoe County to help citizens reunite lost pets.
• A lost and found texting program to help those who have lost or found a pet have quick access to resources and tips.
• First 24 on the floor fee waiver: If we pick up your pet the 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 and leaves with a microchip.

Medical Services

WCRAS is equipped to provide comprehensive in-house medical care, thanks to our dedicated team. The team consists of a full-time veterinarian, a licensed veterinary technician, and a veterinary assistant. Our facility features a full surgical suite, in-house laboratory capabilities, and a digital x-ray machine. We care for all animals housed in our shelter and conduct forensic exams for cases involving cruelty or neglect. In partnership with local organizations, we offer TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) surgeries and medical treatment to support the management of our community's feral cat population. We also collaborate with our approved foster-based rescue partners to ensure that every animal they take from our shelter is microchipped, vaccinated with core vaccines, and spayed or neutered prior to adoption.