Are you wondering where is the best place to find pets in Las Vegas, NV? Well, you've come to the right place! We'll give you all the insider info you need to find your new furry best friend.
How do I adopt a pet in Las Vegas?
If you're wanting to adopt a pet in Vegas, there are a few things you'll need to know first. Before searching for your new dog or cat, make sure you understand the process and requirements of the animal shelter or rescue you want to adopt. Below is a list of most shelters' general guidelines for the adoption process.
Age minimum to adopt. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to adopt a pet. And some shelters or rescues will require the adopter to be at least 21 or 25 years of age. You will also need to bring a valid driver's license or ID and provide proof of your address. To find out the age requirements, you can check the shelter's website or call in before arrival.
Fill out the online application. Most shelters will require you to fill out their online application before being considered eligible to adopt one of their pets. There's usually basic contact information, questions about the type of pet you're looking for, the type of home or other pets you have, and sometimes questions about your pet parenting style.
Cost of adoption fees. It costs quite a bit for these shelters and rescues to care for all of their animals. Not only do they feed and shelter them, but they'll give your pup or cat medical care, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and sometimes they'll even microchip the pet in case they go missing in the future. For pricing examples, check out the section below about pet adoption costs.
Have a "meet and greet." Before adopting your new pet, you will typically do a "meet and greet" in person and spend a little time together. The Meet and Greet helps you both see if you would be a good match for each other. It's also helpful to bring your whole family along — spouse, children, and even the other pets you have — to see how everyone gets along.
Home visit. This is much rarer, but specific animal rescues will require a home visit before you can adopt your new pet. This helps ensure that your family and home are suitable for taking care of your new cat or dog. Not only does this help to verify the safety and care of the pet, but it also helps prevent returning pets after adoption.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog in Las Vegas, NV?
Each animal shelter and rescue will have slightly different adoption fees based on their financial needs to care for these pets. Keep in mind that these fees help pay for their building expenses, staffing, insurance, etc. But it also pays for your new cat or dog to have housing, food, toys, a clean space to play and sleep, medical care, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and sometimes a microchip — in case they get lost in the future.
Check out the examples below to get a general idea of what to expect. And always call ahead or check out the website of the location where you want to adopt from before arriving. This way, you'll know what you're getting into before you fall in love with your next fur baby.
Nevada SPCA
Puppies and adult dogs
Puppies (under five months): $250
Small adult dogs: $125
Large adult dogs: $65
Kittens and adult cats
Kittens (under five months): $150
Adult cats: $65
Small animals
Rabbits: $45
Bonded rabbit pair: $60
Guinea Pigs: $20
Guinea Pig pair: $30
Rats: $10
Hearts Alive Village
Puppies and adult dogs
Puppies (under one-year-old): $150
Adult dogs: $105
Kittens and adult cats
Kittens (under one-year-old): $100
Adult cats: $65
Where is the best place to find pets in Las Vegas, NV?
There are numerous places to choose to adopt a pet from in Las Vegas, NV. Our list below is just a good starting point. But wherever you choose to adopt your new fur baby from, please make sure to do your research ahead of time.
Check out their process, fees, and make sure they are a respectable and reputable organization that genuinely cares for the well-being of each animal that comes through their doors. Your purchase of a pet is your financial support for whichever organization you choose.
PetFinder.com
PetFinder.com is the perfect place to search online from the comfort of your home for all the adoptable pets in your surrounding area. You'll be able to see cats and dogs from numerous animal shelters and rescues. And you'll be able to filter through the available pets to find the type of cat or dog you're looking for based on gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Nevada SPCA
The Nevada SPCA is a nonprofit, charitable organization that relies entirely on the donations of generous animal lovers and does not receive any funding from larger SPCA or ASPCA organizations. They are entirely independent and take in and rescue over 2,000 dogs, cats, and other small pets every year.
"Our ultimate goal is to place them into loving homes where they can thrive, provide companionship, and maintain rewarding relationships with their human family."
Animal Foundation
The Animal Foundation is one of the largest animal shelters in Las Vegas, NV. They specialize in providing a safe haven for animals that have been abandoned or are in need of care. Their unique approach includes a comprehensive adoption program and a dedicated team of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure every animal finds a loving home. They also offer low-cost spay/neuter services and vaccination clinics to help control the pet population. The Animal Foundation's commitment to animal welfare makes it stand out among other shelters.
Hearts Alive Village
Hearts Alive Village is "the only all-in-one animal rescue in Las Vegas with a vet clinic, adoption center, fostering, rehoming, rehab, and more!" They are a nonprofit organization started in 2014 by a mother-and-daughter team. They began by rescuing just two dogs and couldn't stop there. Their mission is: "To nurture a compassionate society where pets are supported in their homes and on their journey to find a new home."
Vegas Pet Rescue Project
Vegas Pet Rescue Project is a non-profit rescue organization that specializes in saving animals from high-kill shelters. They work closely with local veterinarians to ensure all rescued pets receive necessary medical care before finding them forever homes. What makes Vegas Pet Rescue Project unique is their commitment to not only rescuing animals but also raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering to reduce overpopulation.
Adopt a Pet
Adopt a Pet is another excellent place to search for adoptable pets online. Just like with PetFinder.com listed above, AdoptAPet.com helps you search for dogs, cats, and other pets—like rabbits, horses, and more—by using their search engine to find adoptable pets near you. The pets listed on this website are from other shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, etc.
So the adoption process and fees will depend on the location you adopt your pet from. But this way, you can search for all available pets to adopt in the Las Vegas area with the specific filters you're looking for right from the comfort of your home.
Adopt a pet in Las Vegas today!
Ready to adopt your new furbaby? Great! Now that you know the process, fees, and expectations, let's get started! There are tons of lovely cats, dogs, and other pets who are waiting for their next loving, forever home to call their own. And that home could be yours!
At Local Pet Care, we're here to help you not only find the best places to adopt but also the best dog-friendly restaurants in Las Vegas, the best dog parks in Las Vegas, and even to help you find the best local pet care professionals right in your own town. With all of these resources, you will be set up for pet-parenting success!
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.