The Animal Foundation

What The Animal Foundation does

The Animal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open-admission animal shelter founded in 1978 and headquartered at a single 655 N Mojave Rd campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. The organization operates under municipal contracts with the City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, and Clark County, processing approximately 28,000 animals annually — making it one of the largest single-site open-admission shelters in the United States. Its service portfolio spans the full animal-welfare lifecycle: intake and sheltering, veterinary care, adoption matching, lost-and-found reunification, low-cost preventive veterinary services, surrender-prevention support, foster coordination, and rescue transfer through the Paw Partner network. In 2025 the organization reported 23,423 animals saved, 13,554 adoptions, 4,405 reunions, 12,331 spay/neuter surgeries, and 67,312 lbs plus 54,807 cans of pet food distributed.

Core products include the Adoption Services program (fees from $5 for small animals to $250 for puppies, with senior discounts and fee-waived long-stay large dogs), a Low-Cost Vet Clinic offering vaccines ($16–$35) and microchipping ($35), the KEPPT surrender-prevention suite (pet food pantry, medical assistance grants, training), the Community Cats TNR program, dog training classes ($175 per series), and a veterinary externship pipeline with PIMA Medical Institute and Western Veterinary Conference. Technology infrastructure centers on a QR code-based virtual adoption queue (launched May 2026, capacity 50–60 adoptions/day), Petco Love Lost and Finding Rover facial-recognition integrations for lost-pet reunification, multi-vendor microchip registry interoperability (PetLink, Found Animals, Home Again, AVID, AKC Reunite), and Chameleon for medical records.

The revenue model is a nonprofit hybrid: a small portion from earned fees (adoptions, vet clinic, training, reclamation fees of $25–$200, corporate event sponsorships) and the majority from tax-deductible individual donations, monthly giving, planned giving, and institutional grants from Maddie's Fund, Petco Love, Bissell Pet Foundation, Best Friends, Hill's Science Diet, ASPCA, and HSUS, plus municipal contract payments. The organization states that 85% of donations directly fund lifesaving programs. Distribution is concentrated at the single Las Vegas campus (open Tue–Sun 11am–7pm), supplemented by offsite adoption events, the regional Paw Partner rescue-transfer network, and a digital front door spanning the website, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X), and the QR-code adoption system.

Name

The Animal Foundation

Legal name

The Animal Foundation

Website

https://animalfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Animal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open-admission animal shelter founded in 1978 in Las Vegas, serving ~28,000 animals annually through municipal contracts with Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Clark County via adoption, low-cost vet care, lost-and-found reunification, and surrender-prevention programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare and Shelter Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption services
• Low-cost veterinary care
• Lost pet reunification
• Animal welfare programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: Revenue from pet adoptions ranging from $5 (small animals) to $250 (puppies). Large dogs adoptable for 3+ days are fee-waived. Senior discounts available. The organization emphasizes cost averaging where high-margin puppy adoptions cross-subsidize lower adoption fees for adult animals.
2. Low-Cost Veterinary Services: Vaccination, microchipping, and owner-requested euthanasia services at reduced prices. Dog vaccines $16-$35, cat vaccines $19-$25, microchipping $35. Revenue is supplemental as prices are set for accessibility, not profit maximization.
3. Dog Training Classes: Group dog training courses (Puppy Prep, Bark to Basics, Polished Pup) at $175 per series. Private training sessions available. Adopted TAF pets receive 20% discount with code.
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals, monthly donors, planned giving, corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and grant funding from organizations like Bissell Pet Foundation, Petco Love, Maddie's Fund, and others. 85% of donations directly fund lifesaving programs.
5. Reclamation Fees: Fees charged to owners reclaiming lost pets, set by municipal jurisdictions (City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, Clark County). Ranges from $25-$200 depending on jurisdiction and sterilization status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Animal Foundation operates a single-site open-admission animal shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada, providing pet adoption services, low-cost veterinary care (vaccines and microchipping), lost and found pet reunification, and pet care assistance programs. The organization also runs community support programs including a pet food pantry, dog training classes, trap-neuter-return for community cats, and a KEPPT (Keep Every Person and Pet Together) program to prevent pet surrender. Founded in 1978, it serves as one of the largest single-site animal shelters in the United States with municipal contracts across three jurisdictions.

Product overview

The Animal Foundation operates a comprehensive animal welfare ecosystem centered around its single-site shelter campus in Las Vegas. The core offerings include Adoption Services (matching pets with homes), Lost & Found Services (reunification through microchips and facial recognition integration), and a Low-Cost Vet Clinic providing affordable vaccinations and microchipping. The KEPPT (Keep Every Person and Pet Together) program suite includes a Community Pet Food Pantry, medical assistance grants, and dog training (Bark to Basics). Additional services encompass foster programs, Community Cats TNR services, Pet Resource Center educational content, veterinary externships, and various donation/sponsorship opportunities. The shelter also runs wellness programs including the Academy for Canine Etiquette and Shelter Playgroup. All programs are connected through shared infrastructure including Petco Love Lost facial recognition for lost pet matching and Finding Rover integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,423 animals saved in 2025 through adoption, reunification, and rescue transfers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and minor.

• Best Friends Animal SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational animal welfare organization collaborating on lifesaving initiatives and shelter support programs. Best Friends is a leading voice in the no-kill movement and provides resources, grants, and strategic partnership to animal shelters nationwide.
• Hill's Science DietmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet food manufacturer providing food donations for adoption transition bags, shelter animals, and community pet food pantry. Supplies Hill's Science Diet products to newly adopted pets and shelter animals.
• Petco LovemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit animal welfare organization providing grants, event sponsorship, and support. Partners on adoption events and lost pet reunification through Petco Love Lost platform.
• Maddie's FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic foundation dedicated to achieving community lifesaving excellence for dogs and cats. Provides funding, resources, and program support for shelter medicine and operations.
• Bissell Pet FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Empty the Shelters events covering adoption fees for large adult dogs. Annual signature event celebrating 10th anniversary in 2026. Provides adoption fee subsidies to encourage pet adoption.
• Grey MuzzleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on improving lives of senior dogs. Grant recipient supporting care for older animals at the shelter.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest animal protection organization in the US providing guidance on shelter operations, live release rate calculations, and animal welfare best practices.
• ASPCAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals providing shelter support, grants, and animal welfare advocacy.
• Pets for the ElderlyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization facilitating pet adoption by seniors. Official partner providing support for senior citizen adoption discounts.
• World's Best Cat LitterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCat litter manufacturer providing product support for shelter cats.
• Brenden Mann TheatresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal theater company providing event sponsorship and community support.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency for wildlife management and conservation. Collaboration on wildlife and exotic animal care at shelter.
• Western Veterinary ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary education organization providing training, continuing education, and professional development for shelter veterinary staff.
• PIMA Medical InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical and veterinary technician school providing student externship opportunities and workforce development.
• Opportunity Village's Job Discovery ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit providing employment support and job training programs for individuals with disabilities. Partnership for volunteer and employment opportunities.
• City of Las Vegas Animal Protection ServicesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal contract holder. 72-hour legal hold jurisdiction for stray animals. Provides animal control services and animal intake to shelter.
• City of North Las Vegas Animal Protection ServicesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal contract holder. 72-hour legal hold jurisdiction for stray animals. Provides animal control services and animal intake to shelter.
• Clark County Animal Protection ServicesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal contract holder. 72-hour legal hold jurisdiction for stray animals. Provides animal control services and animal intake to shelter.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Austin Pets Alive!: Large Texas-based open-admission no-kill shelter with comparable intake volume and innovative shelter medicine programs. Both organizations operate at significant scale with similar municipal contract structures and live-release-focused missions.
• PAWS Chicago: Major urban open-admission no-kill shelter serving the Chicago metro with adoption, low-cost veterinary, and community support programs. Comparable operating model combining municipal animal services, community clinic, and surrender prevention.
• Kansas City Pet Project: High-volume open-admission municipal shelter serving Kansas City with similar three-jurisdictional-style contract structures and community-focused programming including pet food pantry and training.
• SPCA LA: Large California nonprofit animal welfare organization combining sheltering, low-cost veterinary, pet retention, and adoption services. Comparable multi-program nonprofit operating model.
• San Diego Humane Society: Major regional nonprofit operating multiple campuses with municipal animal services contracts, adoptions, low-cost vet care, and surrender prevention. Multi-jurisdictional contract structure mirrors The Animal Foundation's.
• Maricopa County Animal Care and Control: Government-contracted open-admission shelter serving the Phoenix metro at similar scale, providing intake, adoption, and licensing services comparable to the Las Vegas operation.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill advocacy organization operating the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and providing grants, resources, and strategic partnerships to municipal shelters including The Animal Foundation. Broader geographic scope and advocacy focus.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing grants, advocacy, and direct shelter support. A major partner of The Animal Foundation and a benchmark for nonprofit animal welfare scale.
• Humane Society of the United States: Largest US animal protection organization providing guidance on shelter operations, live release rate calculations, and animal welfare best practices. National advocacy role versus local shelter operations.

Others

• Petco Love: National nonprofit animal welfare foundation providing grants, adoption event sponsorship, and the Petco Love Lost facial recognition platform integrated by The Animal Foundation. Functions as a funder and technology partner rather than a shelter competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/animalfndlv
• Facebookfacebook.com/AnimalFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/theanimalfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Animal Foundation