Henderson Animal Shelter Gets First Major Upgrades in 30 Years

Henderson’s only open-admission animal shelter is getting its first significant upgrades in three decades, including a donated quarter-million-dollar solar panel system and 100 new dog kennels.

The improvements come as the city’s population has grown roughly six times since the shelter was built, while the daily flow of animals has not slowed since the post-pandemic surge.

The solar system is being donated by Sol-Up, a Nevada-based solar provider, and will cover around 40% of the shelter’s power needs, saving thousands of dollars a year.

Rather than mounting panels on the roof, the design uses shade structures over the dog runs and adoption courtyard, keeping animals, volunteers, and visitors cooler during the Las Vegas summer.

The 100 dog kennels adjacent to the play yard, where dogs spend most of their day, are also being replaced, reports Fox5 Vegas.

The new kennels will sit on raised curbs with a trench drain system that makes cleaning faster and more thorough for staff and volunteers.

On any given day the shelter houses between 30 and 45 dogs and 20 to 40 cats, according to Animal Protection Services Administrator Danielle Harney.

Because it is Henderson’s only open-admission facility, it cannot turn animals away, and officers responding to hoarding cases or cruelty investigations can bring in large numbers at short notice.

The shelter came close to capacity following last month’s seizure of animals from a Henderson residence, but has not had to euthanise any animals due to space.

Harney said the shelter’s priority is housing animals as safely and humanely as possible while they wait for adoption.

The kennel and solar work is part of a broader $7 million upgrade plan approved by the city in July 2025, which also includes construction of a new on-site office building for Animal Protection Services.

The shelter is open for adoptions and is encouraging the community to visit, foster, or donate while the improvements are underway.