Learn how to keep your pets healthy!

September 17, 2019

Please Join the SPCA of Northern Nevada to Ban Stores from Selling Pets from Puppy Mills- PASSED

November 16, 2020

How Your Gift Helps the SPCA of Northern Nevada

February 23, 2021

Help Keep Pets in Homes with Senate Bill 103- PASSED

How to Help Homeless Pets in Your Community

Give, act, and share your knowledge to help homeless pets.

May 10, 2021

End Cat Declawing, Support AB209- IN ACTION

March 2, 2023

Emotional Support Animals & Housing Requirements

Why Do People Crop Dogs Ears: What You Should Know About Tail Docking and Ear Cropping

Learn how tail docking and ear cropping can harm your dog.

by Texas Dixon

Learn how to keep your pets healthy!

March 4, 2019

10 Reasons Why You Should Foster

July 16, 2019

What Fostering an Anxious Dog Taught Me About Life and Love

July 3, 2020

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Pet

September 16, 2020

What to Do if You’ve Lost Your Pet

April 5, 2020

10 Activities To Do While Quarantined With Your Pet

March 2, 2023

Emotional Support Animals & Housing Requirements

March 30, 2023

Home to Home: A New Way to Re-home or Adopt a Pet

Choosing a Responsible Breeder

A helpful guide to finding a puppy or kitten through a responsible breeder.

by Texas Dixon

Learn how to keep your pets healthy!

Why You Should Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Learn about the benefits of sterilizing dogs and cats.

FELV in Cats

Learn about Feline Leukemia prevention and treatment.

Vaccinations Your Pet Needs

Learn about the vaccines and services we offer at our vaccine clinic and when your pet needs them.

Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccines

An FAQ about vaccines for your pets.

Planning Your Pet’s Diet

Learn what your dog or cat needs to eat to stay healthy.

Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Learn how to keep your pet's teeth clean and prevent decay.

Canine Parvovirus

How this deadly disease is transmitted and how you can protect your pet.

FIV in Cats

Learn more about this autoimmune disease and how to manage it.

Cerebellar Hypoplasia

A neurological condition that can cause wobbliness in cats and dogs.

Monitoring Your Pet’s Stools

Your pet's poop can be an important indicator of their health.

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

Understand the skin infection called ringworm, how it is caused, and what to do for prevention and treatment.

Affordable Pet Care Services in Northern Nevada

Affordable pet care services in Northern Nevada

June 14, 2021

Todd’s Medical Fund Offers Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care

by Texas Dixon

Small black chihuahua sitting on man's lap looking at the camera.

Keep your family and pets safe from common dangers.

December 15, 2021

Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

Snake Bite Prevention for Pets

Learn how to protect your pets from snake bites.

Hot Cars Kill

It only takes five minutes for a hot car to become fatal.
Keep your pets safe in hot weather.

Common Items Dangerous to Pets

Know what items can harm your pet.

August 12, 2020

Moving with Pets: A how-to guide for a safe and happy move

September 5, 2022

Budgeting for Your Pet

Microchip Your Pet

Information on how microchips keep pets safe.

Creative Ways to Feed Your Pet

Ditch the bowl so your pet can work at mealtime!

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Projects

All sorts of fun pet projects to do from home!

What to Do If You Find a Kitten

A list of signs that a kitten needs your help.

by Texas Dixon

Learn how to keep your pets healthy!

Introducing Dogs

Learn how to prepare your dogs and environment for a positive first encounter.

Letting Your Dog Decompress After Adoption

Some helpful tips for helping your dog adjust to her new environment.

Dog Communication: Calm vs. Stress Signals

Learn how dogs communicate with us!

Leash Training Your Dog: Loose-Leash Basics

A step-by-step leash training plan for your dog.

Resource Guarding in Dogs

Strategies to manage dogs who guard food, toys, treats, and even people.

Crate Training Your New Dog (Stress-Free)

Some helpful strategies for crate training your dog.

Teaching Your Dog with Clicker Training

Lay the foundation of your dog's behavior with clicker training.

Puppy Mouthing: Bite Inhibition 101

Learn how to teach your puppy bite inhibition.

Why Do People Crop Dogs Ears: What You Should Know About Tail Docking and Ear Cropping

Learn how tail docking and ear cropping can harm your dog.

Helping Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

Training tips to help calm your dog's separation anxiety.

Preventing Dog Bites

Keep your family and pets safe from preventable bites.

by Texas Dixon

Adult cat and kitten greeting each other.

Learn how to keep your pets healthy!

September 11, 2019

4 Ways Your Cat Talks to You With Their Body

Cat Communication

Learn how cats communicate with us!

Introducing Cats

Learn how to prepare your cats and environment for a positive first encounter.

Playing With Your Cat

Some helpful tips to appropriately play with your cat and keep them entertained.

Aggressive Behavior in Cats

Learn about the five main types of cat aggression and the recommended treatment for each.

How to Prevent Litter Box Problems

Some helpful strategies to prevent litter box problems.

Inappropriate Elimination In Cats

Some helpful strategies for dealing with your cat's inappropriate elimination.

How to Encourage Appropriate Cat Scratching

Some helpful strategies to encourage appropriate cat scratching.

November 27, 2019

What You Should Know About Declawing Cats

About Trap, Neuter, Return Programs

Spaying and neutering to help control the homeless cat population.

Living with Neighborhood Cats FAQ

How to coexist with cats in your community.

What to Do If You Find a Kitten

A list of signs that a kitten needs your help.

by Texas Dixon

A Virtual Classroom for Pet Lovers of All Ages!

Welcome to the Pet Education & Resources Hub! This hub is filled with helpful tips, fun activities, and engaging resources to help you become the best pet guardian and advocate you can be. Learn how dogs and cats communicate through body language, how to prevent bites, and how to keep pets safe at home and in the community. Explore hands-on crafts, homemade treat recipes, and kid-friendly projects that make learning about pets fun and meaningful. You can even test your knowledge with quizzes, a crossword puzzle, and a word search!

By the time you’re done, you’ll feel more empowered, informed, and inspired to make the world a better place for pets—and the people who love them. Thank you for joining us on this educational journey. Our pets need more heroes like you!

Dogs

Learn the basics, build trust, and tackle common challenges.

Cats

Decode cat language, prevent problems, and support community cats.

Additional Resources

Pet Care & Safety

Practical guides to keep pets safe, happy, and healthy at home.

Healthy Tails

Medical, wellness, and preventative care. Plus, affordable resources.

Life With Pets

Make informed choices and enjoy daily life with pets.

Take Action for Pets

Be an advocate, supporter, and hero for animals.

Help us, help you! Take this quick survey to let us know what you would like to see added to Pet Education & Resources. We appreciate your feedback!

Take the Survey!

Pet Behavior FAQs

What should I do on my dog’s first day home?

Give them a quiet space, keep the routine simple, and stick to short calm walks. Avoid dog parks
and busy places until they’ve had time to settle.

How long do pet introductions usually take?

Introductions can take days to weeks. Always move at your pets’ pace—if you see stress, pause
and go back a step.

When should I call for help with behavior?

Call our Pet Help Line if you notice warning signs that escalate (staring, growling, lunging, fighting)
or if you’re unsure what to do next.

What supplies make introductions easier?

Use leashes, high-value treats, and simple barriers like baby gates or crates. These tools help keep
pets safe and calm.

Can I introduce pets the same day I adopt?

Yes—but keep it structured and short. End on a calm note, then separate the pets between
sessions.

Is hissing or growling normal?

Brief warnings can be normal at first. If the behavior continues or escalates, stop the session and
reset.

How do I know if my new pet is stressed?

Watch for pacing, hiding, pinned ears, stiff body posture, or refusal to eat. These are signs your
pet needs more space and time.

Should I use punishment to correct behavior?

No. Punishment often makes stress and problem behaviors worse. Focus on management,
positive redirection, and rewarding calm behavior.

What’s the best way to set my new pet up for success?

Create a safe space, stick to a predictable routine, and keep early interactions low-stress. Give
your pet time to build trust before expecting big changes.

by Texas Dixon

Two white and grey kittens gazing at the camera.

Ask a Question

Need additional help or not finding what you're looking for?

Hi, I’m Jenna and I may have an answer for you!

Adoption Center Location

4950 Spectrum Blvd
Reno, NV 89512
Get Directions

Adoption Center Contact

Main: (775) 324-7773
Fax: (775) 329-4913
Email: info@spcanevada.org

Thrift Store Location

75 E. Moana Street
Reno, NV 89502
Get Directions

Thrift Store Contact

Main: (775) 324-7776
Fax: (775) 324-3552
Email: info@spcanevada.org

Adoption Hours

Open daily from 11 am to 6 pm

*Except some holidays and the first Tuesday of each month.

Affordable Vaccine Clinic

Saturday & Sunday : 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

*Now located at our Thrift Store! By appointment only.

Thrift Store Hours

Monday – Saturday : 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday : 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

by Web Master

Pets are Family

Pet Companionship is for everyone!

At SPCA of Northern Nevada, we believe everyone deserves the joy and companionship of a pet. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Pets Are Family (PAF), a donor-funded initiative designed to make adoption accessible and rewarding for those who give so much to our communities. Through this program, adoption fees for adult dogs and cats are waived for seniors (65+), teachers, and military personnel or veterans in Nevada. Together, we can ensure every pet finds a loving home and becomes part of a family.

How it works:

Who Qualifies?
Seniors (65+), teachers, and military personnel/veterans (active or retired).

Which Pets Are Included?
Adult dogs, cats, and kittens currently available for adoption. *Puppies are not included in this program.

What’s Included?

FREE adoptions for qualified individuals.

What Do You Need?
A valid ID to verify eligibility (e.g., age for seniors, school ID for teachers, or military ID for veterans/active military).

How to Participate?
Visit our Adoption Center, meet your new companion, and let our team know you’d like to adopt through the “Pets Are Family” program.

View Adoptable Pets

by Laura Van Antwerp