Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 | 2 a.m.
The Clark County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a series of amendments to the county’s rules on animal cruelty.
The most notable update: Owners must microchip their animals. The device is implanted under an animal’s skin to give it identification.
Victor Zavala, the supervisor of County Animal Protection Services, told the commission that shelters in 2023 accepted just under 20,000 animals, with 65% of them being strays. The mandatory microchip rule would help animals reunite with families — sometimes before they enter the shelter.
Zavala said funding is available for the county to offer low-cost microchipping clinics and establish stations across the region so citizens that find stray animals can scan for microchips before approaching Animal Protection Services. The rule goes into effect in six month, the county said.
The changes also call for property owners dealing with feral cat colonies to seek other methods of deterring colony growth before asking animal protection services to declare a nuisance.
Jim Andersen, chief of Clark County Public Response Office, said declaring a cat colony a nuisance can be “a death sentence” for the animals.
The amendments also call for banning the sale of animals in parking lots, flea markets and swap meets, with an exemption for rescue organizations or fair exhibitions.
The county is also requiring animal care business owners and employees to complete a free, county-provided training every two years on basic animal welfare, signs and symptoms of illness and compliance with the Clark County Code.
Signage with contacts for animal protection services is to be placed in businesses as well.
Other changes to the county’s animal protection laws encompass clarified definitions; proper cooling mechanisms when the National Weather Service issues a heat warning or temperatures in the region reach over 105 degrees; and owner responsibility for animal attacks – setting a minimum fine of $500.