Section 638.051 - Abandoned animals1. An animal in the possession of a veterinarian or veterinary facility shall be deemed abandoned if:(a) The animal is left with the veterinarian or veterinary facility by a person whose identity is unknown or who cannot be reasonably contacted;(b) The animal is left with the veterinarian or veterinary facility by the owner or person delivering the animal, the veterinarian or veterinary facility has provided the notice required pursuant to subsection 3 and the owner or person has not: (1) Paid for the services provided by the veterinarian or veterinary facility; or(2) Claimed the animal; or(c) The owner or person delivering the animal relinquishes ownership of the animal in writing to the veterinarian or veterinary facility.2. Unless otherwise provided in a contract between a veterinarian or veterinary facility and the owner of an animal or the person delivering the animal, the veterinarian or veterinary facility may: (a) Treat or decline to treat the animal in the manner the veterinarian or veterinary facility determines appropriate;(b) Dispose of an abandoned animal if the animal is not claimed within the period set forth in the notice, if required, pursuant to subsection 3; or(c) During an emergency, provide emergency care or humane euthanasia to relieve the suffering of the animal in the manner the veterinarian determines appropriate in accordance with the "Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics" of the American Veterinary Medical Association as adopted by reference in NAC 638.046.3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, before a veterinarian or veterinary facility may dispose of an abandoned animal, the veterinarian or veterinary facility: (a) If the identity of the owner of the animal or the person who delivered the animal is known or may be determined by scanning a microchip, must notify the owner of the animal or the person who delivered the animal by telephone, electronic mail, text message or regular mail to the last known contact information or address of the owner of the animal or the person who delivered the animal. The notice must state that the veterinarian or veterinary facility will dispose of the animal if it is not claimed by the date specified in the notice, which must not be sooner than 5 days after the animal was left with the veterinarian or the veterinary facility.(b) If the owner of the animal or person who delivered the animal cannot be identified or if ownership of the animal was relinquished pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1, may dispose of the animal pursuant to subsection 4.4. The veterinarian or veterinary facility shall dispose of the animal in a humane manner, which may include, without limitation, euthanasia, adoption, fostering or sending the animal to an animal rescue organization.5. For each animal disposed of pursuant to subsection 4, the veterinarian or veterinary facility shall maintain a separate record in accordance with the requirements of NRS 638.0475 that contains: (a) A physical description of the animal, which may include, without limitation, a photograph;(b) The date the animal was delivered to the veterinarian or at the veterinary facility;(c) A description of the attempts made by the veterinarian or veterinary facility to contact the owner, if applicable;(d) A list of any treatments or care provided by the veterinarian or veterinary facility; and(e) A description of the disposition of the animal and the date of the disposition.6. As used in this section, "claimed" means to remove the animal from the custody of the veterinarian.Nev. Admin. Code § 638.051
Added to NAC by Bd. of Veterinary Med. Exam'rs, eff. 11-17-88; A by R082-22A, eff. 12/16/2022