Washoe County, Nevada

55.510– Adoption of unclaimed animals; deposit for sterilization of animal; exception.

1. Animals left unclaimed or unredeemed at the animal services center may be adopted. If the animal to be adopted is to be kept as a pet (as that term is defined in NRS 574.615), the new owner, (as that term is defined in NRS 574.610), must, prior to adopting, sign an adoption contract containing the provisions set forth in NRS 574.645 agreeing to, among other things, sterilization (as that term is defined in NRS 574.625) of the animal, on or before a date certain as provided in the contract.

2. Every person seeking to adopt an animal as a pet from the animal services center must, prior to adopting the animal, deposit with the animal services center the current fee to sterilize that type of pet as set by the board of county commissioners which equates to the prevailing cost to sterilize that type of animal.

3. If the animal cannot be sterilized because it is exotic or for another legitimate reason, as determined by a veterinarian, the deposit for sterilization need not be paid.