Las Vegas shelter housing 500 dogs, waiving adoption fees Friday

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - There are 500 dogs at a Las Vegas animal shelter, and officials say there is no more room.

The Animal Foundation is facing a critical space crisis, The shelter has been on and off all year at capacity.

Almost every month this year, intakes have been higher than last year. An increase in respiratory diseases is putting shelter dogs at risk.

Dogs either come in with illness or catch it in the shelter. Sick dogs need to be isolated up to two weeks. It's room the shelter doesn't have.

The Animal Foundation is putting out an urgent call for adopters or fosters.

"With every adoption or foster placement that comes in, it frees up resources that can prevent future illnesses," said Max Blaustein with the shelter. "It creates a cycle of recovery instead of this cycle of disease that we see when animals are stuck in the shelter."

Friday, the shelter is holding a "Shine a Light on Love" fee-waived adoption event.

Adoption fees will be waived for all available shelter pets, regardless of age or size. A $10 license fee may apply.

Adoptions are first-come, first-serve starting at 11 a.m.

"Please note, there may be a line outside before the event begins, so adopters should plan accordingly," The Animal Foundation said. "We do not place holds on pets. Before adopters arrive, they can visit Animal Foundation Adoption Search to browse our adoptable dogs."

The shelter says adopters should refrain from bringing their current pets to the shelter. In-shelter dog-to-dog introductions are not allowed. For successful introductions, our adoption counselors provide step-by-step guidelines for introducing pets outside the shelter.