Nevada Humane Society in Carson City

Understanding Impound Fees vs. Daily Cost of Care Fees

When an animal enters our care, there are two different types of fees that may apply. These fees serve different purposes and are assessed separately.

Impound Fees (One-Time Administrative Fee)

• Impound fees apply only to stray animals

• This is a one-time fee

• It covers the administrative cost of intake, including:

  • Processing the animal into our system

  • Required documentation and reporting

  • Staff time associated with intake and reunification efforts

• The impound fee does not cover the cost of daily care

• Protective Custody (PC) and Bite Quarantine (BQ) cases do not receive impound fees

Fees For Daily Cost of Care

• Daily Cost of Care Fees help cover the ongoing, daily cost of caring for an animal
• These costs include:
  • Housing and cleaning
  • Food and enrichment
  • Daily staff care and monitoring
• Daily Cost of Care Fees accrue daily for each individual animal while they remain in our care
• The longer an animal stays with us, the higher the total fees will be
• For the health and safety of all animals in our care, any animal entering our shelter may receive core vaccinations as part of standard intake protocols. The owner is responsible for the cost of any vaccinations administered while the animal is in our care.

Daily Cost of Care Fees for Animals in Our Care

When the Fees Apply

These fees may apply to animals that enter our care as:

• Strays

• Bite Quarantines (BQ)

• Protective Custodies (PC)

24-Hour Grace Period

In accordance with City ordinances:

• Fees are not charged during the first 24 hours

• If an animal is reclaimed within the first day, no daily cost of care fee will be assessed

Daily Cost of Care Fees by Species

Fees are charged per animal, per day, after the initial 24-hour period:

• Dogs $20 per day
• Cats $10 per day
• Small Animals $10 per day
• Fowl $15 per day
• Livestock $25 per day 

Example: If a dog remains in our care for five days, Daily Cost of Care Fees are assessed for each day after the first 24-hour grace period.

Our goal is always to reunite pets with their families as quickly and compassionately as possible. Clearly distinguishing between administrative intake fees and daily care costs helps ensure transparency while allowing us to continue providing safe, high-quality care to animals in our community.

If you have questions or need assistance reclaiming a pet, our team is here to help.

For transparency, these policies are guided by Carson City Municipal Code and applicable City ordinances. You can review the relevant ordinances governing animal services, impoundment, and boarding requirements here.