Requirement to offer dog or cat for adoption before euthanization; immunity from civil liability.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 574.205
in effect1. A research facility that intends to euthanize a dog or cat for any purpose other than scientific, medical or educational research shall, before euthanizing the dog or cat, offer the dog or cat for adoption if the dog or cat is appropriate for adoption. A research facility may offer the dog or cat for adoption through a program of the research facility or enter into a collaborative agreement with an animal shelter that performs the work of an animal rescue organization or an animal rescue organization for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Any such animal shelter or animal rescue organization must be domiciled in Nevada and exempt from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
2. A research facility and any officer, director, employee or agent of the research facility is immune from civil liability for any act or omission relating to the adoption of a dog or cat pursuant to subsection 1.
3. As used in this section:
(a) Animal rescue organization means a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of rescuing animals in need and finding permanent, adoptive homes for such animals.
(b) Research facility means an organization that is engaged in:
(1) Animal research for the purpose of testing the performance, safety or quality of a product; or
(2) Scientific research for scientific, medical or educational purposes.
Source: NV Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-574.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026