UPDATE: The Nye County Animal Shelter in Pahrump has just addressed allegations of neglect and unsanitary conditions, confirming the facility is in good order following an unannounced inspection. Earlier today, the Pahrump Valley Times visited the shelter after reports surfaced from a concerned resident. Contrary to the claims, shelter staff were actively cleaning the kennels during the visit, demonstrating their commitment to animal care.
“We’re not perfect,” said Nye County Animal Shelter Manager Kristi Siegmund, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining cleanliness with limited resources. The shelter currently houses over 140 animals with a small team of just five staff members. “We have to remember, we are a shelter… we just can’t give quite that level 24 hours a day,” Siegmund added.
The shelter conducts three cleaning walk-throughs daily, addressing messes as they appear. “It takes us all day to clean,” Siegmund explained, highlighting that each of the three kennel technicians cleans 80-100 kennels daily. The team’s efforts ensure that each animal receives fresh food and water regularly, but occasional messes are inevitable.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the shelter’s operations, providing much-needed socialization for the animals. The number of volunteers has surged to over 50 since the program began last year. “Even if they can come in for only 30 minutes, they can still get a couple of dogs out for a walk,” Siegmund noted, emphasizing the community’s dedication to animal welfare.
The shelter is also undergoing significant improvements. An outdoor area with dog-runs and play yards is being developed, with 12 runs currently completed. The goal is to reach 24 runs and five play yards, all funded by community donations and volunteer labor, with the county contributing less than $2,000.
In addition to improving living conditions, the shelter has made strides in adoption and community outreach. Last year, the Nye County Animal Shelter recorded 1,609 intakes, with 819 adoptions and 398 returns-to-owner cases, thanks largely to microchip initiatives. Siegmund stated, “Our goal for 2026 is to take that momentum from 2025 and keep it going,” as the shelter aims to deepen its community partnerships.
The challenges of animal overpopulation have prompted the shelter to initiate a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for community cats, successfully assisting 200 cats to date. This initiative is crucial in addressing overpopulation in the area and has garnered support from organizations like Hearts Alive Village.
Those interested in supporting the shelter can volunteer or visit for a tour, available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shelter is located at 1580 Siri Lane in Pahrump.
With the shelter’s ongoing efforts, the community is encouraged to join in and help make a difference for the animals. “There are so many people in our community who care about these animals,” Siegmund urged, inviting more volunteers to participate in the care and socialization of the shelter residents.
For more information, contact reporter Robin Hebrock at [email protected].
