Our mission is to be a leading advocate for animal welfare, focusing on the humane treatment of pets, rescue, adoption, and community education. We strive to provide the highest standards of care in our adoption center and community programs.

You can view our available pets on our website and visit our Adoption Center at 4950 Spectrum Blvd, Reno, NV. We are open for adoptions every day from 11 AM to 6 PM. The adoption process includes completing an application and meeting with our staff to ensure a good match.

We offer various community programs, including affordable spay/neuter services, vaccination and microchip clinics, pet surrender assistance, and behavior help. Additionally, we have educational programs and resources for pet owners in the community.

We are sometimes asked whether we are “no kill”. The answer is YES. We will place every healthy or treatable, and safe pet. Period.

Most importantly, we are pro-pet and people! We offer daily enrichment to our animals, use training partnerships and behavior modification training when needed to get them ready for adoption, and work our tails off to find them loving homes.

We are dedicated to humane treatment of the pets in our care even when that means making appropriate, humane euthanasia decisions. If they’re suffering, or a danger to our community, then we lovingly guide them over the rainbow bridge.

Let’s remember that compassionate euthanasia is a gift, and every decision must consider the welfare of the individual animal. SPCA-NN will only humanely euthanize for poor medical prognosis or if the animal is too dangerous to place. Our team is highly trained and we work closely with a nationally-renowned, certified shelter animal behaviorist.

Like most catch phrases, the term “no kill” has limitations. For a more in-depth look at the current issues in the U.S. shelter overpopulation movement, click here! 

We welcome volunteers and foster caregivers! You can apply to volunteer or foster by filling out the application forms available on our website. Volunteers can help with various tasks, and foster caregivers provide temporary homes for pets in need.

Todd’s Medical Fund provides financial assistance for necessary veterinary procedures to pet owners who cannot afford the costs. This fund covers acute medical issues such as surgeries and severe dental procedures. For more info, visit Todd’s Medical Fund page here.

Donations can be made through our website here. We accept one-time donations, and recurring donations, and have opportunities for sponsorship. Your contributions directly support our programs and help pets in need​.

If you adopted your pet from the SPCA-NN: You may call or bring your pet back to us during our normal hours of operation. We make a lifetime commitment to our animals and will always take them back regardless of circumstances.

If you did NOT adopt your pet from SPCA-NN: Surrendering is not a walk-in process. We only take surrendered cats or dogs that you did not adopt from us by appointment only. (For other domestic animals, please contact the Nevada Humane Society.)

Do NOT abandon your pet(s): Abandoning them is ILLEGAL and punishable of up to $1,000 fine by Nevada law NRS 574.100.

Alternatives to surrendering your pet:

Surrendering a pet can be an incredibly difficult decision. SPCA-NN may be able to help you keep your pet at home or there may be alternative re-homing options to consider. Please review the following resources before surrendering your pet.

Why are you considering surrendering your pet?

• Behavior issues (Pet Help Desk: 775.324.7773, 200)
• Can’t afford care (Pet Help Desk: 775.324.7773, 200)
• Domestic or disaster situation (Pet Help Desk: 775.324.7773, 200)
• Moving/don’t have adequate housing (Pet Help Desk: 775.324.7773, 200)
• Other re-homing options (Please read Finding a New Home for Your Pet below)

We know that sometimes it’s just not possible to keep a pet, and we are here to support you as best we can with compassionate advice and resources. Before making the decision to surrender, you may want to consider other re-homing options such as trusted friends or family.

If these resources don’t address the circumstances you’re experiencing, please see below for more about the process for surrendering your pet to SPCA-NN.

In order to surrender your cat or dog, the first step is to fill out a surrender profile. You can obtain one of these by coming to the Adoption Center in person, or by calling our Help Desk and having it emailed to you: 775.324.7773, 200.

The surrender profile will be reviewed by our staff, which may take up to a week. You will then be contacted to either schedule a handling assessment or informed that we are unable to take your pet.

We may not be able to take your pet based on a number of reasons, including, without limitation: available space, capacity for care, behavior, a lack of resources, etc. We will do our best to help you, and our staff may refer you to other organizations that may be able to take your pet.

After the appointment, we will decide whether we are able to accept your cat or dog. We do not charge a surrender fee, but donations are welcome to help cover the cost of care for your pet.