The STRAT Launches Holiday Pet Drive as Las Vegas Shelter Battles Worst Overcrowding in Years

As the holiday season arrives, The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower is stepping into the spotlight with a festive initiative designed to support one of Southern Nevada’s most overwhelmed institutions.

In collaboration with the L.A. Comedy Club and The Animal Foundation, the resort has unveiled a month-long holiday pet drive running through December, inviting locals to give back at a time when the city’s primary shelter is facing one of its worst capacity crises in nearly a decade.

Shelter Crisis Reaches Breaking Point

The Animal Foundation has spent much of 2025 battling a surge in pet surrenders and stray intake, pushing the facility to the brink of its operational limits.

Shelter officials report that more than 3,000 pets have already been surrendered this year, a figure reminiscent of the dire years of 2015 and 2016 when capacity concerns last reached emergency levels.

Over the last couple of months alone, staff have taken in nearly 90 stray animals per day, with total intake rising above 14,000 animals year-to-date.

The sheer volume has forced the shelter to use pop-up crates, hallways, and makeshift holding areas just to accommodate the constant stream of animals arriving daily.

At one point in September, more than 1,000 animals were housed onsite, prompting warnings that euthanasia for space could become unavoidable if intake continued unchecked.

It is a scenario that has devastated staff and volunteers alike, underscoring how fragile the region’s animal-welfare system has become.

Underlying the crisis is a familiar set of pressures.

Rising housing costs, steep pet deposits, monthly pet rent fees, and soaring veterinary bills have pushed many Las Vegas residents to financial breaking points, leaving families with no choice but to surrender pets they love deeply.

The combination of economic strain and inadequate housing protections for pet owners has created a chain reaction across the valley — and The Animal Foundation is bearing the weight.

Donation Drive Offers Exclusive STRAT Rewards

Determined to make a meaningful impact, The STRAT has introduced a donation program that rewards generosity with one-of-a-kind Las Vegas experiences.

Guests who drop off a bag of pet food between now and the end of December will receive four complimentary passes to the resort’s Observation Deck.

Perched 1,149 feet above the city, the deck offers sweeping views from the 108th and 109th floors and includes access to 108 Eats and Drinks, the gift shop, and attractions such as the tower’s iconic thrill rides.

Passes must be redeemed by December 25, 2025, and are valid for a single visit.

The resort is also extending perks to anyone who adopts from The Animal Foundation during the drive.

New pet parents will be treated to two free tickets to the L.A. Comedy Club, redeemable either at the box office or online through the end of December 2026.

Guests must be at least 18 to attend, but the offer is designed to add a joyful — and humorous — bonus to the life-changing act of bringing home a shelter pet.

Alongside food donations, the shelter continues to welcome toys, treats, bedding, and other essentials that help ease daily care for hundreds of animals awaiting adoption.

Adoption Push Encourages “Rescue First” Holiday Mindset

Central to the campaign is a renewed appeal to adopt rather than shop.

With millions of Americans adding new pets to their homes over the holidays, The Animal Foundation hopes that local families will consider rescuing from overcrowded shelters rather than purchasing from breeders or pet stores.

Each adoption helps reduce population strain, shortens shelter stays, and saves lives at a time when space is more valuable than ever.

Donations collected through the drive also support programs that help families keep their pets during financial hardship.

By providing food, supplies, and assistance with essential care, The Animal Foundation can prevent pets from being surrendered in the first place, reducing pressure on the already-overburdened shelter system.

Clark County Plans Major Expansion To Tackle Overcrowding

While holiday donations will provide immediate relief, county leaders have begun pursuing long-term solutions to address structural weaknesses in the region’s sheltering system.

In August 2025, commissioners approved $39 million in capital funding to design and build a supplemental 7- to 8-acre animal shelter spanning roughly 40,000 square feet.

The expansion is expected to dramatically increase capacity and reduce the likelihood of future overcrowding emergencies.

An additional $3 million has also been allocated for an emergency temporary shelter at Silverbowl Park near Sam Boyd Stadium.

These measures, officials say, are designed to stabilize intake surges while offering more humane housing conditions for animals in crisis.

At the same time, the county continues investing in the KEPT initiative — Keeping Every Pet in Person Together — which helps residents manage pet deposits, pet rent, and veterinary expenses.

The program aims to address the financial and housing-related factors that most commonly lead families to surrender their pets.

How To Take Part This Holiday Season

Locals can support the drive by visiting The Animal Foundation at 655 N. Mojave Road in Las Vegas.

The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM, with no appointment required for donations or adoptions.

A single bag of pet food or the decision to adopt can bring immediate relief to the shelter while unlocking exclusive perks at The STRAT and L.A. Comedy Club.

For those unable to visit in person, monetary donations are accepted online at animalfoundation.com, where contributions directly support daily care, medical treatment, and operations.