Reno Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Reno guide like a quick animal-help dashboard. Pick adoption, lost pet, found pet, reclaim, surrender, pet pantry, vaccine clinic, dog licensing, animal control, bite report or field-dispatch action.
Important Reno distinction: adoptions usually route through Nevada Humane Society Reno Adoption Center, while lost/found impounds and animal control route through Washoe County Regional Animal Services next door.
Choose the Exact Help You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Adoption and animal-control hours
- Adoption micro-steps
- License, reclaim and clinic fees
- Lost/found pet steps
- Reclaim and stray hold
- Surrender, rehoming and pantry
- Animal control and field services
- Dog license and microchip
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Reno Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Reno has two major next-door animal routes, so choose the correct one first.
Who to Call First
Use this before driving to Longley Lane or submitting the wrong form.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet in Reno | Nevada Humane Society: 775-856-2000 | “I’m interested in [pet name/listing] at the Reno campus.” | Check availability and go during 11am-6:30pm adoption hours. |
| Lost pet in Reno/Washoe | WCRAS office: 775-353-8900 | “My pet is missing near [cross streets]. Has a matching pet arrived?” | Check online, then visit in person if photos are unclear. |
| Found pet | WCRAS Lost & Found | “I found a [dog/cat] at [exact location]. I can/cannot safely hold it.” | Use HelpingPetsHome/microchip stations before bringing in if safe. |
| Stray, injured, sick, deceased, abandoned or noisy domestic animal | Field Dispatch: 775-322-DOGS | “This is at [address/cross streets], animal is [status].” | Call between 8am-10pm; after-hours emergencies call 911. |
| Animal bite or cruelty/welfare complaint | 775-322-DOGS | “I need to report a bite/welfare issue at [location].” | Give victim/animal safety status and whether skin was broken. |
| Dog license | Dog Licensing | “I need to license/renew my dog and have rabies proof.” | Use DocuPet or call 775-353-8900. |
| Surrender or pet support | animalhelp@nevadahumanesociety.org | “I need help keeping or surrendering my pet.” | Use the Resource Hub/surrender application first. |
Reno Adoption and Animal-Control Hours
Reno’s adoption hours and animal-control/lost-pet hours are different. Use the right row.
| Service | Location | Current hours | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada Humane Society Reno Adoption Center | 2825 Longley Lane, Suite B | 7 days a week, 11am-6:30pm | Adopt dogs, cats and other available pets; ask adoption questions. |
| WCRAS Office | 2825 Longley Lane, Suite A | Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 9am-3pm; Sunday redemptions only 9am-3pm by appointment; closed holidays | Lost/found office help, licensing, redemptions, shelter records. |
| WCRAS Kennel / found-pet viewing | 2825 Longley Lane, Suite A | Monday-Friday 11am-4:30pm; Saturday 11am-2:30pm; closed holidays | View found/stray pets in person. |
| WCRAS Field Services | Reno, Sparks and Washoe County field response | 7 days a week, 8am-10pm, including holidays | Field dispatch for domestic animal calls. |
| After-hours emergency | Emergency route | After field-dispatch hours | Call 911 for emergencies only. |
Nevada Humane Society Reno
2825 Longley Lane, Suite B, Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775-856-2000
Animal Help Desk: ext. 200
Email: animalhelp@nevadahumanesociety.org
Washoe County Regional Animal Services
2825 Longley Lane, Suite A, Reno, NV 89502
Office: 775-353-8900
Dispatch: 775-322-DOGS
Email: pets@washoecounty.gov
Reno Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so the adoption visit is smooth and you avoid choosing from outdated screenshots.
Open the live pet list
Use the official Find a Pet page and filter by the Reno campus.
Call before driving for one pet
Call 775-856-2000 with the pet name/listing to confirm availability.
Meet pets with staff help
NHS says a Client Services Team member and Animal Care staff will help set up a meeting room. Do not remove pets from kennels yourself.
Bring valid photo ID
Adopters must be 18+ and have valid photo ID under NHS adoption policies.
Ask what is included
NHS states pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before adoption.
Use the 90-day policy correctly
NHS lists a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Ask staff how returns, exchanges or support work before leaving.
License, Reclaim and Clinic Fees Users Ask About
Adoption specials and adoption fees can change, so confirm NHS adoption pricing directly. Washoe County posts detailed licensing and reclaim-related fee tables for WCRAS.
| Fee / service | Posted detail | What to do next | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered dog license | $16 for 1-year; $48 for 3-year | Use WCRAS/DocuPet licensing | Rabies proof required. |
| Unaltered dog license | $30 for 1-year; $90 for 3-year | Use WCRAS/DocuPet licensing | Higher fee applies to unaltered dogs. |
| Senior 60+ altered dog license | $8 for 1-year; $24 for 3-year | Ask what proof is needed | Senior discount is for altered dogs. |
| Active/retired military altered dog license | Free 1-year | Ask proof requirements | Listed for altered dogs. |
| Impound fee | Dog: $60 first, $75 second, $100 third; Cat: $60 | Call WCRAS before reclaiming | Daily care and licensing may also apply. |
| Daily care | Dog $14/day; cat $8/day | Ask total due before driving | Total grows each day. |
| Microchip | Washoe County resident: free; non-resident: $31 | Ask if appointment or clinic route is needed | Update microchip registration after insertion. |
| WCRAS vaccine clinic | Rabies, FVRCP and DA2PP listed at $15 each; appointment admin fee $10 | Use WCRAS clinic information | NHS also runs community vaccine/microchip clinics by appointment. |
| NHS surrender fee | Altered cats/dogs $30; unaltered cats/dogs $50; small animals $10 | Use NHS rehoming/surrender application | Outside Washoe/Carson may add regional service fee. |
Lost or Found Pet in Reno / Washoe County
Washoe County Regional Animal Services is the lost-and-found shelter. Use photos, microchip scanning, online tools and in-person viewing together.
If your pet is lost
- Open the WCRAS Lost & Found page.
- Call 775-353-8900 with pet description, last-seen location and contact number.
- Visit WCRAS in person if the online photo could be unclear.
- Use found-pet viewing hours, not just office hours.
- Update the microchip account immediately.
- Post clear photos with date, cross streets and safe contact method.
- Check often because new animals can arrive after your first search.
If you found a pet
- Keep yourself safe first. Do not handle aggressive or injured animals without guidance.
- Check collar or tag only if the animal is calm.
- Use a public microchip scanning station listed through HelpingPetsHome if safe.
- Call 775-322-DOGS if field response is needed.
- Give exact location, animal condition and whether you can safely hold the pet.
- Post a found report but require proof of ownership before releasing the animal.
- If the animal is sick, injured, deceased or unsafe, use dispatch rather than social posting only.
Reclaiming a Pet from Washoe County Regional Animal Services
If your pet may be at WCRAS, move quickly and ask for the total due before driving.
5-day stray hold
WCRAS says each stray animal is held for five days before becoming available for transfer to approved rescue partners.
Suite A
Reclaim/lost-found route is Washoe County Regional Animal Services at 2825 Longley Lane, Suite A.
Call first
Call 775-353-8900 for fees, documents, appointment needs and pickup timing.
Proof
Bring photos, vet records, microchip packet, dog license, adoption papers or other ownership proof.
License
Eligible dogs in Washoe County need current WCRAS licensing; licensing fees may be part of reclaim.
Payment
Posted FAQ says WCRAS accepts cash, checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, debit cards and credit cards.
Surrender, Rehoming, Pet Pantry and Help Before Giving Up a Pet
NHS encourages owners to use the Pet Resource Hub and support options before surrendering. Surrender starts with an online application and then a team follow-up.
| Need | Official route | Prepare | Fee / rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need food help | NHS Pet Pantry | Register online or in person. | Reno distribution hours begin 1pm-5pm daily from Dec. 1, 2025. |
| Need behavior, vet-cost or rehoming support | Animal Rehoming | Use Resource Hub and Animal Help Desk. | Surrender should be last resort where possible. |
| Surrender altered cat/dog | NHS surrender application | Pet profile, photos, medical/behavior details, urgency. | $30 base fee for Washoe/Carson pets. |
| Surrender unaltered cat/dog | NHS surrender application | Same details plus spay/neuter status. | $50 base fee for Washoe/Carson pets. |
| Surrender small animal | NHS surrender application | Species, cage/food, age, health and behavior notes. | $10 base fee for Washoe/Carson pets. |
| Outside Washoe/Carson | NHS Animal Rehoming page | Confirm region before application. | Additional regional service fee: +$25 cats/dogs or +$10 small animals. |
| Emergency owner surrender through WCRAS | WCRAS Fee Schedule | Call first. | Emergency owner surrender: shelter $30; field $174. |
Reno Animal Control and Washoe Field Services
WCRAS field officers enforce state and county laws related to domestic animals and respond to many Reno, Sparks and Washoe County calls.
| Issue | Use | Phone / click | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stray, unrestrained or abandoned pet | Field Dispatch | 775-322-DOGS | Give exact location, animal description and safety status. |
| Injured, sick or deceased stray pet/wildlife | Field Dispatch | 775-322-DOGS | Do not handle unsafe animals. |
| Animal bite | Field Dispatch | 775-322-DOGS | Say whether the bite broke skin and where the animal is now. |
| Animal welfare or cruelty | Field Dispatch / online request for non-emergency | Field Services | Use clear facts: address, dates, visible condition, food/water/shelter concerns. |
| Domestic animal noise | Field Services | 775-322-DOGS | Track dates/times and call the field route. |
| Variance or exotic permit | WCRAS Forms/Permits | Field Services | Ask before keeping regulated animals or operating a kennel/breeding activity. |
| After-hours emergency | Emergency services | 911 | For emergencies only after field dispatch hours. |
Dog License, Microchip and Vaccine Help
Licensing and microchips matter most when pets get out. They help WCRAS and neighbors get a dog home faster.
Dog license required
WCRAS says dogs over four months residing in congested Washoe County areas must be licensed. Failure may result in a $100-$400 fine.
DocuPet
Washoe County uses DocuPet for online dog licensing and HomeSafe lost-pet service.
Rabies proof
You need proof of current rabies vaccination when licensing by mail or through normal license routes.
Microchip
WCRAS lists microchips as free for Washoe County residents and $31 for non-residents in the fee schedule.
NHS vaccine clinic
NHS says Reno vaccine clinics run Wednesday and Sunday by appointment.
Pet Pantry connection
If food cost is the problem, try NHS Pet Pantry before surrendering. Reno campus supports pet food assistance.
Before You Leave Home
Pet name/listing, valid photo ID, carrier/leash, payment, 11am-6:30pm timing.
Clear photos, microchip number, license tag, last-seen cross streets, WCRAS call details.
Exact location, safe containment status, tag/microchip details, photo, dispatch need.
Ownership proof, photo ID, license/rabies proof, payment, call WCRAS before pickup.
Local Reno Tips
Suite A vs Suite B
Suite B is Nevada Humane Society adoption. Suite A is WCRAS lost/found, licensing, redemptions and animal services.
Visit in person for lost pets
WCRAS warns photos may not be enough. If the pet looks similar, visit during kennel viewing hours.
Do not wait five days
WCRAS holds strays for five days before transfer eligibility, so owners should act quickly.
License before the busy season
Dog license tags help Animal Services identify and contact you if your dog gets loose.
Use pantry before surrender
If the problem is food cost, use the NHS Pet Pantry and Animal Help Desk first.
Reno weather planning
Summer heat and winter cold both matter. Bring water, safe car transport and a secure leash/carrier for any shelter visit.
Map: Reno Longley Lane Animal Campus
Use this map for the Longley Lane campus. Nevada Humane Society is Suite B; Washoe County Regional Animal Services is Suite A.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in [pet name/listing] at the Reno campus. Is this pet still available, and what should I bring to meet or adopt today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/other] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip/license tag]. Has a matching animal come into WCRAS?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] at [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot safely hold it. Should I use a microchip station or field dispatch?Surrender / rehoming
Hi, I need help keeping or possibly surrendering my pet. The situation is [reason]. I have medical and behavior details. Which Resource Hub or application step should I start with?Official Reno Animal Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these official pages for live animals, live hours, forms, fee confirmation and final verification.
Reno Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main Reno animal adoption shelter?
For Reno pet adoptions, start with Nevada Humane Society Reno Adoption Center at 2825 Longley Lane, Suite B, Reno, NV 89502.
What are Nevada Humane Society Reno adoption hours?
Nevada Humane Society lists the Reno Adoption Center as open seven days a week from 11am to 6:30pm.
What is the Nevada Humane Society Reno phone number?
The Nevada Humane Society Reno phone number is 775-856-2000.
Where do lost and found pets go in Washoe County?
Washoe County Regional Animal Services is the lost and found pet shelter in Washoe County. It is located at 2825 Longley Lane, Suite A, Reno, NV 89502.
What is the Washoe County Regional Animal Services phone number?
The WCRAS office phone is 775-353-8900, and field dispatch is 775-322-DOGS, which is 775-322-3647.
What are WCRAS office hours?
WCRAS office hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, and Sunday pet redemptions only from 9am-3pm by appointment, closed holidays.
What are WCRAS found-pet viewing hours?
WCRAS kennel or found-pet viewing hours are Monday-Friday 11am-4:30pm and Saturday 11am-2:30pm, closed holidays.
How long does WCRAS hold stray animals?
WCRAS says stray animals are held for five days before becoming available for transfer to an approved rescue partner.
Do Reno dogs need a license?
Washoe County says dogs over four months old residing in congested areas of Washoe County must be licensed with Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
How do I surrender a pet in Reno?
Use Nevada Humane Society’s Pet Resource Hub and surrender application first. The team reviews the application and follows up; surrender fees vary by altered status, small animal status and whether the pet is from Washoe/Carson or outside the region.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.