Clark County Requires All Pet Business Staff to Complete Animal Welfare Training by August 4

Every groomer, boarder, trainer, breeder, and pet sitter operating in Clark County will need to complete a mandatory animal welfare training course before August 4, 2026, under an ordinance that is now fewer than three months away from taking effect.

The requirement was part of a sweeping package of animal welfare amendments the Clark County Commission passed unanimously in February 2025.

Boarding and grooming facilities, kennels, catteries, professional pet sitters, rescue organizations, and any other businesses that sell, groom, train, or board animals must have all owners and employees complete the free, county-provided training every two years to obtain or renew a business license.

The training covers basic animal welfare standards, how to recognize signs and symptoms of illness, and compliance with county code.

The ordinance also requires pet businesses to notify Clark County Animal Protection Services within 12 hours of any animal death in their care, preserve the animal’s body for a potential necropsy, and post visible signage directing customers to contact animal control if they have concerns.

The rules apply throughout unincorporated Clark County and cover a wide range of businesses. Veterinary practices, equine-only businesses, and contracted shelter facilities are exempt.

The training is free. Businesses and employees can reach Clark County Animal Protection Services at AnimalProtectionServicesInfo@clarkcountyNV.gov for enrollment information.

The Working Dogs of Nevada case, in which two employees face felony animal cruelty charges following the seizure of 35 dogs, drew attention to how little oversight currently governs who handles animals professionally.

As we’ve covered, Nevada does not require dog trainers or handlers to hold any license or certification, and anyone can open a training or boarding facility without demonstrating basic qualifications.

The August handler training deadline is separate from the county’s mandatory microchipping requirement, which took effect in August 2025 and requires all dogs and cats over four months old in Clark County to be microchipped.

Both measures were passed as part of the same February 2025 ordinance package aimed at reducing shelter overcrowding and improving animal welfare.

If your dog attends daycare, gets groomed, boards overnight, or receives training from a business in unincorporated Clark County, the staff working with your pet will soon be required to have completed this training.

The August 4 deadline is the date compliance becomes mandatory for new and renewing business licenses.