Henderson, NV

Animal Protection Services (APS) is made up of dedicated, compassionate professionals who care deeply about the safety and well-being of both animals and our community. Every day, our team works to reunite lost pets with their families, help animals find loving homes, support responsible pet ownership and respond to situations where people or animals may be at risk.

Our work often brings us into complex and challenging situations—ranging from stray and injured animals to cases involving public safety or serious illness. In every case, we approach our work with care, respect and a commitment to doing what is best for the animals and the community we serve.

In some circumstances, humane euthanasia may be necessary. This may be to relieve an animal from severe pain or suffering when recovery is not possible, or in situations involving serious safety or public health concerns. These decisions are made thoughtfully and compassionately, with careful consideration and professional judgment.

Over the years, APS has made meaningful progress in the care of animals in our shelter. We do not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals and remain committed to upholding that standard of care.

We are committed to transparency and to sharing outcomes that reflect the care we provide to animals in our community. A “Live Release” means an animal leaves our care alive through one of the following:

Our Live Release Rate is calculated by dividing the number of live outcomes by the total number of outcomes, excluding owner-requested euthanasia.

For many years, APS has offered humane euthanasia services for pet owners in certain circumstances. Over the past year, we have begun guiding residents toward trusted veterinary partners who can provide this service with individualized care, often at a low cost.

We believe every pet owner should have a relationship with a veterinarian they trust—someone who can offer medical guidance and compassionate support, especially during difficult decisions.

In the interest of transparency, we report owner-requested euthanasia separately when sharing our Live Release Rate.