Henderson Animal Care and Control Celebrates an Impressive Save Rate for 3rd Straight Year

The City of Henderson’s Animal Care and Control Facility achieved a significant accomplishment again. By attaining a save rate of 91.1%, the facility may rightfully claim recognition as a “no-kill” shelter three years in a row.

Per national shelter standards, the term “no-kill’ signals a shelter’s success in keeping its average live-exit rate during the last year above 90%.

Of the 3,358 animals brought to the shelter in 2020, 655 were returned to their owners and 1,800 were adopted into “forever” homes; an additional 40 were released to the care of rescue organizations. 2020 ended with only 63 animals in the Shelter system. And, again this year, no animals were euthanized due to lack of space at the shelter.

Factors that led to an increase in shelter adoptions include adoption events and other adoption incentives as well as social and traditional media outreach.

“This year was unlike anything we have ever seen,” said Danielle Harney, Animal Control administrator. “We were prepping for a full shelter and preparing for the worst when the pandemic hit, but we were amazed by what followed in the months thereafter. The citizens came out, followed social distance guidelines, had patience, and adopted animals!”

The Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility, which is the only open-admission animal shelter for Henderson residents (no animal is turned away), saw a decrease in Shelter intake from 2019, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic that required people to stay at home. Despite the pandemic, Shelter staff, Animal Control officers and volunteers held socially distanced adoption events including Spring Into Adoptions, Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days, Clear the Shelters, and Home for the Holidays at the Shelter as well as PetSmart weekend adoption events.

Above all expectations, those in the community who care about the animals at the City of Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility continued to adopt Shelter pets during the pandemic. They also increased the facility’s visibility via sharing the Shelter’s social media posts and by word of mouth.

Animal Shelter volunteers contributed to its success in 2020 by logging over 10,000 hours in 2020 in support of the Shelter animals. Volunteers assisted in nearly every area of operations, including customer assistance and facilitating adoptions, providing exercise for the dogs, grooming and socialization of cats, dogs and rabbits, fostering, and conducting field trips for these animals. Volunteer interaction improved animal behaviors and their adoptability.

“Our Shelter was able to stay open and continue to serve the pets and people of the City of Henderson and surrounding community,” said Harney. “I cannot put into words the gratitude I have to all the Animal Care and Control staff and to the volunteers and rescue groups who all worked hard this year to find every adoptable animal a home and to keep animals in their homes during this pandemic. We know that by continuing to educate and work with the community and animal rescue groups, we can provide the best possible outcomes for animals in the City of Henderson.”

To adopt a pet from the Henderson Shelter, the public need only fill out an adoption application and pay a fee based on species: $90 for dogs, $80 for cats and $35 for rabbits. Adoption fees include routine vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, microchip ID and registration, and a rabies tag or Henderson license, depending on where the new owner lives.

The Shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday with adoptions closing at 4:30 p.m. (closed holidays) and located at 300 E. Galleria Dr. (east of Boulder Highway, near the Bird Viewing Preserve).

For more information about pet adoptions, call 702-267-4970 or visit cityofhenderson.com. Follow City of Henderson Animal Care and Control on Facebook and Instagram.

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