Celebrating Two Decades of Partnership

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter in our long-standing partnership! For nearly two decades, Nevada Humane Society (NHS) and Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) have worked side by side to support furry friends in our community. Now, we’re taking our collaboration to the next level with refreshed goals and formalized agreements to enhance animal care even further.

Here’s what this revitalized partnership means:

  • Comprehensive Care: We’re continuing our tradition of providing top-notch support from “nose to tail,” ensuring every animal receives thorough medical, behavioral, and emotional care.
  • Enhanced Resources: By combining our strengths, we’re maximizing our facilities and expanding our outreach to offer even greater support and assistance.
  • Innovative Programs: We’re rolling out new initiatives designed to tackle pet overpopulation, increase adoption rates, and promote responsible pet ownership, all while staying true to our shared goals.

This partnership builds on our rich history and is set to make a lasting impact on animal welfare in our community. For all the details about our goals and new agreements keep reading

One Campus. Two Unique Organizations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

WCRAS

  • Washoe County Regional Animal Services is a government agency responsible for animal services and public safety concerning animals in Washoe County, including the cities of Reno and Sparks. WCRAS operates under the jurisdiction of Washoe County, ensuring adherence to local laws and regulations. WCRAS is not an adoption or surrender agency.

NHS

  • Nevada Humane Society is a private non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of animals through community programs and services. NHS operates independently of Washoe County government and is primarily funded through individual donations and community support.
WCRAS Roles & Responsibilities

WCRAS Roles & Responsibilities

WCRAS Roles & Responsibilities

WCRAS Roles & Responsibilities

Animal Services:

  • Enforce local and state laws
  • Field complaint response
  • Investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment
  • Issue and inspect commercial, exotic, dangerous, and over the limit animal permits
  • Licensing and registration requirements
  • Lost & found shelter services

Public Safety

  • Investigate and quarantine bite animals
  • Rabies control program
  • Dangerous dog hearings and case management
  • Disaster response, evacuation and emergency sheltering

Outreach

  • Affordable vaccination clinics
  • Free personalized pet ID tags and collars
  • Pet food distribution through Washoe County Senior Services
  • Regional partnerships that support keeping unsheltered families and their pets together
  • Free microchips for Washoe County residents and microchip scanning station partnerships with multiple locations throughout Washoe County
  • Community educational programs
NHS Roles & Responsibilities

NHS Roles & Responsibilities

NHS Roles & Responsibilities

NHS Roles & Responsibilities

Animal Sheltering and Adoption:

  • Operate a high-save, socially conscious shelter where animals are cared for until adopted.
  • Promote and facilitate pet adoptions.
  • Serve as the contracted public surrender agency for individuals who need to surrender a pet in Washoe County and Carson City

Community Programs:

  • Offer low-cost services (including vaccine clinic, microchipping, and spay/neuter services) to help keep pets in loving home.
  • Provide pet food assistance programs for local families in need to help divert pets from the shelter.

Education and Assistance:

  • Provide education and resources for individuals who are struggling with their pets through the Animal Help Desk, including animal rehoming resources in order to keep pets in loving homes and out of the shelter
Key Differences

Key Differences

Key Differences

Key Differences

  1. Funding and Governance:
    • WCRAS: Tax-payer funded and operates under the jurisdiction of Washoe County. WCRAS has an advisory board whose purpose is to strengthen the communication between the community and WCRAS and to allow a public platform to hear updates centered around WCRAS.
    • NHS: Non-profit organization funded by donations, grants, and community support. NHS is governed by an independent board of directors and does not report to the Washoe County Animal Services Advisory Board. The ASAB does not have any oversight of NHS’ finances or operations.
  2. Scope of Services:
    • WCRAS: Focuses on lost and found pet services, field services, public safety, and enforcement of animal laws.
    • NHS: Focuses on sheltering, adoption, and community programs.
  3. Legal Authority:
    • WCRAS: Has legal authority to enforce NRS and Washoe County Code as it pertains to animals
    • NHS: In Washoe County, NHS provides services based on community support and advocacy, without enforcement powers. (However, in Carson City, NHS Humane Enforcement Officers are responsible for animal control, public safety, and enforcement of animal laws.)

While both Washoe County Regional Animal Services and the Nevada Humane Society work towards the well-being of animals, their roles and responsibilities in our community are distinct. WCRAS focuses on lost and found pet services, field services, enforcement, and public safety, whereas NHS focuses on care for animals while waiting for a forever home, adoption, owner/guardian surrenders, and community support. Understanding these differences helps in effectively addressing animal welfare issues in the Washoe County area. Together, the two organizations collaborate to ensure nose-to-tail support for animals in Northern Nevada.

Our Commitment to

Working Together

We commit to a shared behavior criteria for the safety of our community.

We honor each other's individual operations while working jointly to realize the best outcomes for animals in our care.

We don't euthanize for space.

We will be preemptive whenever possible, when either organization approaches capacity for care.

We will "show up" collectively in the community.

We agree that we are not saving animals at all costs and consider quality of life when making decisions.

Partnership Goals

We will work to find homes for all safe, treatable, and healthy animals. A 90% minimum combined live-release rate is our objective

We will work collaboratively and cohesively from intake to adoption

We will create & maintain weekly shared data of key operational metrics

We will work to increase community awareness & understanding, together.

We will pool our resources to educate our community and provide programming to minimize overpopulation challenges in our region.

NHS will transfer 80% of available dogs and 85% of available cats from WCRAS as long as NHS is not at 80% capacity.

Protecting Our Community: A Shared Commitment to Dog Behavior

At Washoe County Regional Services (WCRAS) and Nevada Humane Society (NHS), our top priority is the safety and well-being of both animals and people in our community. Our shared Behavior Policy is designed to serve as a safeguard for our community based on the historical behavior of every animal. We aim to achieve this goal by using industry best practices and data available to us about each pet at the time they are in our care. Here’s how we achieve this:

Safety First

Safety First

Safety First

Safety First

We take behavior seriously. Any dog showing signs of unsafe behavior—such as biting, growling, or snapping—is carefully assessed. Our commitment is to prevent injuries and safeguard our safe community for everyone, including staff, volunteers, and adopters.
Understanding Unsafe Behavior

Understanding Unsafe Behavior

Understanding Unsafe Behavior

Understanding Unsafe Behavior

Unsafe Behavior in dogs can stem from various causes, including fear, discomfort, arousal, frustration, and anger. Our goal is to identify and address these behaviors before they escalate, protecting both the people and animals in our community.
Responsible Placement

Responsible Placement

Responsible Placement

Responsible Placement

Only dogs that meet strict safety criteria are made available for transfer from WCRAS to Adoption Partners. NHS will use the same criteria when creating pathway plans for dogs who are admitted to either NHS Campus through public surrender.

Dogs exhibiting unsafe behavior or those with a history of such behavior are not made available for transfer to adoption partners nor are they made available for adoption if surrendered to NHS.

Instead, both organizations are committed to making compassionate decisions to humanely euthanize when necessary to prevent further risk to people and pets in our community.
Behavior Assessment

Behavior Assessment

Behavior Assessment

Behavior Assessment

Every dog receives a thorough behavioral and medical assessment upon intake. We monitor behavior throughout their stay to ensure they are safe and adoptable.

For those dogs that do not reach the criteria to be deemed unsafe, but who exhibit higher levels of unsafe behavior in certain situations, a risk assessment must be completed to determine if euthanasia is the safest outcome for the dog and the community.

We acknowledge that each organization’s risk assessment and process may produce different results for different dogs.
Stress-Free Environment

Stress-Free Environment

Stress-Free Environment

Stress-Free Environment

Shelters can be a challenging environment for dogs and cats. Both organizations strive to reduce stress and provide enrichment to support every animal's well-being but recognize that some dogs and cats require more care than a shelter can offer, including foster support or foster-based rescues
Community & Legal Responsibility

Community & Legal Responsibility

Community & Legal Responsibility

Community & Legal Responsibility

We are committed to adhering to legal responsibilities and minimizing liability.  Striving to place safe dogs for adoption not only protects the public but also upholds the integrity of both organizations.
Compassionate Euthanasia

Compassionate Euthanasia

Compassionate Euthanasia

Compassionate Euthanasia

When euthanasia is necessary, we act promptly and compassionately to minimize stress and ensure the humane treatment of the animal.
Full Shared Policy

Full Shared Policy

Together, we strive to support a safe pet-friendly community for everyone. Your support helps us maintain these high standards and continue striving for a shared goal of protecting and caring for animals in need while balancing our community's safety. Thank you for being a part of our commitment.

Your Support Means the World to Local Homeless Pets

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2825 Longley Lane, Suite B
Reno, NV 89502
775-856-2000
Carson City
549 Airport Road
Carson City, NV 89701
775-887-2171
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