Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting - October 17, 2025

The Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board met on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the commission chambers. The board reviewed quarterly reports, heard updates from partner organizations, and discussed legislative changes. Key topics included animal intake statistics, the new volunteer program, disaster preparedness, and a successful free spay/neuter clinic.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes from the August 1, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tracy Dean, founder of Community Cats of Reno, reported that her organization has helped over 1,300 cats and kittens in 2025 (up from 849 in 2024), averaging 150 per month. She noted that 80% of kittens arriving at shelters come from free-roaming cats and emphasized the importance of TNR and spay/neuter services.
• Rebecca Goff, Nevada State Director for Humane World for Animals, offered free law enforcement training on animal crimes and emergency preparedness, noting successful sessions in Clark County and Sparks.

Discussion Items

Director's Report (Cheyenne Scholl)

• Quarter one FY26 statistics: Total animal intake was the lowest in four years. Cat intake increased by 9%, while other animals (pocket pets, reptiles, livestock) decreased by 19%. Microchip rates: 13% of cats and 51% of dogs were already microchipped.
• Field operations: 280 animals reunited with owners in the field (39% of field pickups), saving kennel space. A horse rescue from a swimming pool was highlighted, involving collaboration with Truckee Meadows Fire and large animal rescue partners.
• Hot car calls: One dog rescued from a vehicle at 109–113°F; owner cited and fined ~$600.
• Animal welfare calls: 634 received, 488 resolved through education, 44 citations issued.

Outreach Program Update (Quinn Sweet)

• Senior pet food distribution saw a record high of over 100 seniors served in person. Vaccinations declined slightly in number but increased in pets served.
• Volunteer program relaunched: 10 volunteers onboarded, with three tiers. Tier 1 covers basic tasks; Tier 2 involves hands-on animal care; Tier 3 includes disaster response. Capacity estimated at 4–6 volunteers on site at a time.

Medical Program Update (Tammy Jennings)

• TNR surgeries: 197 performed this quarter. Rescue partner surgeries: 63. CARES surgeries: 8. Veterinary services expanded with contracts for 6 outside veterinarians and 6 vet techs.
• A cat with a severe leg fracture received amputation and was transferred to Nevada Humane Society for adoption.

Animal Services Disaster Response Program (Tammy Jennings & Robert Wooster)

• The department participates in monthly Washoe County emergency management meetings, conducts tabletop exercises, and holds staff training (FEMA courses, horse handling, wildfire behavior).
• Equipment includes two stock trailers, two small animal evacuation trailers, a command center, and a side-by-side vehicle.
• Large animal sheltering primarily at Livestock Event Center, with overflow at UNR Equestrian Center. Small animal shelters co-locate with Red Cross shelters.
• Agreements with Humane World, ASAR Assist, and LRTC for mutual aid during large-scale disasters.
• Board members discussed challenges with communication during fires (e.g., Davis Fire); Director Scholl acknowledged resource limitations but committed to improving coordination.

SPCA of Northern Nevada Free Spay/Neuter Clinic (Jill Dobbs)

• A three-day clinic at Washoe County Animal Services fixed 203 pets (104 cats, 99 dogs) for free, preventing an estimated 1.1–1.2 million potential offspring over five years.
• 283 vaccines administered (142 rabies, 55 DHPP, 86 FVRCP), and 143 pets microchipped.
• Collaboration involved Animal Balance, SPCA of Northern Nevada, and Washoe County staff. One minor complication required aftercare. The clinic was fully booked quickly, highlighting ongoing demand.
• Jill Dobbs emphasized the need for continued support from the county and commissioners to hold future clinics.

2025 Legislative Update (Rebecca Goff)

• Five animal bills passed and signed into law. Key bills:
  • SB 166: Expands breed restriction insurance ban to commercial properties; requires subsidized housing to allow at least one pet.
  • SB 325 (Pets for Vets): Mandates free pet adoptions for veterans, law enforcement, and first responders in city/county shelters. Nevada Humane Society (NHS) is exempt as a private nonprofit but already waives fees for seniors.
  • AB 136: Requires businesses with paid human-animal interactions to post signs with contact info for animal control.
  • AB 418: Requires local ordinances mandating training for pet-related businesses (grooming, boarding, etc.). Washoe County is developing an ordinance; training frequency is biannual.
  • AB 381 (Reba’s Law): Strengthens animal cruelty penalties—willful cruelty causing death or done to intimidate is a category B felony (1–6 years). Abandonment prohibited regardless of health.

Nevada Humane Society Update (Geraldine Bryant)

• Q3 2025 statistics: Over 3,100 requests for help, nearly 2,500 surrender requests. Total intakes: 734 surrenders, 1,115 from Washoe County, 701 Good Samaritan (mostly kittens). Year-to-date intakes: ~7,000 animals.
• Adoptions: ~2,500 in Q3, ~6,000 year-to-date (slightly up from 2024). Live release rate ~93–94%.
• Spay/neuter: 1,300 surgeries for owned animals (323 dogs, 950 cats) in Q3. Appointments are available.
• Microchips: 1,700 animals microchipped; vaccines: 3,000 owned pets. Pet pantry distributed 45,000 pounds of food in Q3.
• Volunteer program: ~1,200 individuals annually, with 250 dedicated volunteers; 21,000 hours year-to-date. Foster placements: 1,100 in Q3.

Scheduling 2026 Meetings

• The board adopted a motion to set the February 2026 meeting for February 13 at 1:00 p.m., with all other proposed dates (fourth Fridays) approved. The October meeting may shift to November if needed.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of minutes: Unanimous.
• Donation pledge: Member Diaz Dixon pledged $15,000 to the TNR program, offered as a match to raise $30,000.
• 2026 meeting schedule: Approved as amended (February 13 afternoon, others per proposed calendar).
• Future agenda items: Board requested ongoing discussion on legislative priorities for 2027, including potential reforms to address animal hoarding and access to welfare checks. Collaboration with Liberty Dogs (opening March 2026) was noted.
• Digital accessibility changes: Deputy District Attorney Kobe Burnett announced upcoming changes to agenda and materials access due to Section 508 compliance; guest presentation materials will need earlier submission.