We receive numerous phone calls about stray and injured animals. While we are happy to try to help, the Animal Emergency Center of Las Vegas & Henderson cannot accept all stray animals without overwhelming our staff. For those seeking animal services in Las Vegas, please see the following information before bringing in a stray animal or removing a wild animal from its environment.
Injured, Orphaned or Stray Animals in Las Vegas, NV
STRAY DOGS AND CATS
If you have found a stray dog or cat, we would be happy to scan it for the presence of a microchip. In most cases, it is best for you to keep the animal and get it to the shelter (The Animal Foundation, Boulder City Animal Shelter or Henderson Animal Shelter) so that it has a chance to be reunited with its owner. If you plan to keep the pet, keep it isolated from other pets in your home and take it to your veterinarian during regular business hours. If the animal appears to be in pain, sick or injured, we can examine it and treat it as needed. Routine care, like vaccinations are not available on an emergency basis. You will be given the choice to assume financial responsibility for the pet or to sign it over to the hospital for the attending veterinarian to treat as needed.
ANIMAL CONTROL:
| North Las Vegas Animal Control | 702.633.1390 | [7A to 10P, seven days a week] |
| City of Las Vegas Animal Control | 702.229.6444 *option 2 | [24-¬hour service, seven days per week] |
| Clark County Animal Control | 702.455.7710 | [24-hour, animal care and control services] |
| City of Henderson Animal Control | 702.267.4970 | [Monday – Friday 9a-5p] |
| Boulder City Animal Control | 702.293.9283 | [Tuesday – Saturday 7a-3p] |
ORPHANED KITTENS AND PUPPIES
The most important aspects of care are to keep the orphan warm and to give it good nutrition. Place it in a carrier or box with some source of external heat such as a heating pad underneath the box to prevent heating pad burns. Keep it warm and dry. Do not bathe the orphan. You can obtain puppy/kitten milk replacer and nursing bottles at our hospital, a pet store, Wal-Mart or most grocery stores. We can try to put you in touch with a rescue/adoption organization during reasonable hours
EMERGENCY WILDLIFE RESPONSE & BIRD CARE
Please attempt to contact Nevada Eagle Rescue (formerly Nevada Bird Rescue) at 702-896-4272. They are an all-volunteer organization operating without government funding. They do not operate a fleet of emergency vehicles or animal ambulances; instead, their team coordinates rescues remotely by reviewing photos and locations to deploy the closest available volunteer.
They provide statewide eagle rescue services across Nevada and can assist in developing action plans for other bird species.
Need Immediate Advice?
Before collecting any bird, text a photo and your exact location to 702-896-4274. If there is not a prompt response, then please contact Animal Emergency Center at 702-457-8050 if an injured wild bird is found.
How They Evaluate the Situation
When you contact them, they will help you determine the best path forward based on three options:
- Leave the bird alone (the best option in most scenarios).
- Bring the bird to us for specialist care.
- Transport the bird to a licensed partner facility.
Note: Many bird species require highly specialized federal and state permits to handle and treat. We strongly advise against taking wild birds
to unauthorized individuals, including general practice veterinarians who
may not hold these specific wildlife permits.
STEP-BY-STEP SPECIES GUIDE
- Eagles
- Fledglings (Young Birds on the Ground)
- Songbirds & Nestlings
- Quail & Chicks
- Pigeons, Doves, & Domestic Waterfowl (Ducks/Geese)
We are specialized condor and eagle response experts.
Action Required: If you locate an eagle in distress, text a photo and your location to 702-896-4274 with the phrase “Eagle Rescue” in the message.
Email Alternative: You can also email Birdmanlv@aol.com (strictly for eagle cases). A Master Eagle Falconer will respond as quickly as possible.
A young bird hopping on the ground is usually hitting a normal developmental milestone, not a crisis. Fledglings leave the nest before they can fly and spend several days on the ground learning to forage and utilize their wings while their parents watch over them.
Action Required: Do not kidnap the bird. If it is in immediate danger from vehicles or foot traffic, gently guide or move it into the nearest thick brush or shrubbery.
Support: Leave a small dish of water nearby (unless it is a bird of prey). Keep all domestic dogs, cats, and pets clear of the area to let the parents finish raising them safely.
Action Required: Never force-feed food or water into a wild songbird; this frequently causes fatal aspiration.
For Nestlings (Too young to walk): If the bird is uninjured, the absolute best option is to create a secure artificial nest (like a small basket or perforated container) and mount it high up in the shade, as close to the original nesting site as possible so the parents can find it. Human intervention is a last resort; hand-raised wild songbirds face extremely low long-term survival rates. View examples of successful artificial nests at NevadaBirdRescue.org.
Quail are precocial, meaning chicks run and follow their parents from day one. They do not adapt well to captivity and often succumb quickly to the stress of handling.
Action Required: Avoid capturing quail chicks. If you spot a lone chick, the family is likely hiding in the immediate brush waiting for you to leave.
Support: If a chick is stuck in an enclosed yard, ensure your property gates or fence lines have a ground-level clearance gap so they can walk back out to their family. They communicate via calls at dawn and dusk to reunite. Natural predators and neighborhood cats are a constant reality; keeping the chick with its family remains its highest chance of survival.
Action Required: Please reach out directly to the civilian volunteer community at the Las Vegas Pigeon Rescuers Facebook Group for dedicated rescue and rehoming assistance: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483650681846260/
SAFE CAPTURE & TRANSPORT PROTOCOL
If an injury is obvious and rescue is deemed absolutely necessary, you act as the initial first responder.
Use a Solid Box
Always place a wild bird into a cardboard box with air holes. Never use a wire or barred cage. Wild birds will panic, attempt to escape, and shatter their feathers against the bars, causing permanent damage that can prevent future release.
Keep it Dark and Quiet
A dark, solid box minimizes visual stimuli, lowers the bird’s heart rate, and prevents them from burning critical energy reserves while in shock.
Have a Destination
Do not bring a bird home without an explicit transfer plan. Identify the species first using online resources or Google Photo Search to ensure it routes to the correct facility.
Authorized Regional Rescue Directory
Nevada Eagle Rescue and the licensed rehabilitators listed below are the authorized entities permitted to accept protected migratory species in the state of Nevada.
Southern Nevada
Emergency Care for any wild birds: Please contact Animal Emergency Center at 702-457-8050 if an injured wild bird is found.
Small Birds (Hummingbirds, Grackles, Songbirds, Nighthawks): Contact Shell Brewer at 503-619-6531 (West Las Vegas).
Raptors / Birds of Prey (Hawks, Owls, Falcons – excluding Eagles): Contact Lisa Ross at Wild Wing at 702-238-0570 (North Las Veg
Northern Nevada
Migratory Birds (Excluding Eagles): Contact Suzette Feilen at 775-515-9832 (Silver Springs) or Evelyn Pickles at 775-246-0470 (Dayton).
ORPHANED BABY BIRDS, RABBITS AND OTHER WILDLIFE
In most cases, it is best to leave the baby where it was found, or try to place it back in the nest. Even if a parent is not seen, they may often be watching from a distance or will return shortly to care for their young. A young animal’s best chance of survival is with its natural parents who can ensure that it retains all of its natural behaviors for survival in the wild. If you feel the animal is injured, we would be happy to examine it. You will be asked to sign it over to the hospital so that the attending veterinarian can treat it as needed. Always use caution in approaching or handling wild animals: they may scratch, bite or carry diseases like rabies!
Our Location
Come Visit Us
We warmly invite you to experience exceptional care at our practice. Our facility is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind, featuring modern amenities and a welcoming atmosphere. Our dedicated team is here to provide personalized attention and address all your needs with professionalism and compassion.