How a Small Las Vegas Nonprofit is Tackling a Big Rescue Crisis

When shelters run out of space and too many adoptable dogs face euthanasia, Lost and Found Animal Foundation steps in to rewrite the ending. Based in Las Vegas, this small but fiercely committed nonprofit focuses on the animals that others leave behind — especially large-breed dogs who often struggle to find homes.

The foundation was born from heartbreak and determination. Its founder, a former shelter volunteer, spent years witnessing young, healthy dogs lose their lives for no reason other than overcrowding. Refusing to accept that as normal, she launched Lost and Found Animal Foundation with one clear mission: to give those dogs another chance.

From the beginning, the organization has focused on rebuilding trust and stability for animals who have lost both. Each rescue is treated as an individual — offered time to decompress, consistent training, and a path back to confidence and connection. At Lost and Found, saving lives isn’t just about pulling dogs from shelters. It’s about preparing them to thrive in forever homes.

Focused on the Dogs No One Else Will Take

While most rescues naturally gravitate toward smaller, easier-to-place animals, Lost and Found does the opposite. The foundation specializes in large breeds — the loyal, strong, often misunderstood dogs that tend to shut down in noisy, crowded kennels. These dogs aren’t easy, but they’re worth it. And this team has built its identity around proving that.

Each dog taken in receives a customized rehabilitation plan. The process starts with decompression in a calm, supportive foster home, then continues through structured training designed to rebuild confidence and responsiveness. These steps are crucial for helping dogs transition successfully into adoption — and they’re given the time they need to get it right.

Every Wednesday, the group hosts free “Training Days” at a local park, open to fosters, adopters, and the public. A retired Navy SEAL K9 trainer volunteers his expertise, teaching handlers how to work effectively with their dogs and prevent behavioral issues before they start. The result is a model that not only saves dogs but strengthens the broader pet community, creating informed, capable owners who help keep dogs out of shelters for good.

The foundation’s approach is slow, deliberate, and personal. It’s not about turning numbers or filling quotas. It’s about transformation — about taking the dogs that everyone else has written off and proving they were never the problem.

A Lifeline for Local Pet Owners

Lost and Found Animal Foundation doesn’t stop at rescue. It also serves as a vital resource for Las Vegas families struggling to afford care for their pets. With inflation driving up the cost of veterinary visits and supplies, more pet owners than ever are forced into impossible choices — and that’s where this nonprofit steps in.

The organization provides financial help for low-income families, veterans, and seniors, covering costs like spay and neuter surgeries, vaccines, and emergency treatments. These interventions often mean the difference between keeping a beloved pet and surrendering it to a shelter. By supporting owners before crises escalate, Lost and Found helps reduce intake numbers citywide while promoting responsible ownership.

The foundation also plans to expand its preventative outreach through a community-based spay and neuter program. The goal is to target the root causes of pet overpopulation in Las Vegas, tackling the problem before it reaches the shelters. Every dollar donated goes directly toward these life-saving efforts, with no corporate overhead or bureaucracy. It’s small-scale rescue work that delivers large-scale impact.

One Dog at a Time

For the volunteers and fosters behind Lost and Found, success is measured in small victories — the first time a frightened dog wags its tail again, or when a previously unadoptable large breed finds the perfect home. These moments may never make headlines, but they define the foundation’s quiet power.

Their guiding principle is simple: “One dog at a time.” It’s not just a tagline — it’s the blueprint for everything they do. By keeping their focus personal and intentional, they can ensure each dog receives the care, structure, and love it needs to truly succeed.

The founder remains hands-on in every sense — organizing rescues, arranging vet visits, and personally delivering supplies to fosters. It’s this direct, human connection that makes Lost and Found stand out. They’re not just another organization — they’re a network of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, driven by empathy and action rather than scale or recognition.

How to Get Involved

Those looking to make a real difference in Las Vegas animal welfare can start with Lost and Found Animal Foundation. The group is always seeking foster homes — particularly for large dogs needing extra time to adjust. Fosters receive full support, including food, supplies, training, and medical care. All that’s required is time, patience, and love.

Donations are equally vital, funding everything from emergency surgeries to everyday essentials like vaccines and training sessions. For those wanting to learn more, the foundation’s weekly Training Days offer a chance to see their mission in motion and gain practical skills to use at home.

You can follow Lost and Found Animal Foundation on Instagram and Facebook, or donate directly through lostandfoundanimalfoundation.org. On November 9, they’ll host a community fundraiser at The Space — an event celebrating rescue stories and raising funds to save even more lives.