The staff of Hearts Alive Village, a local Las Vegas nonprofit, manages increased intake as they continue to expand their resources for Las Vegas animals in need. In the first three months of this year, Clark County animal protection officers have impounded almost 2,000 animals, and the forecast expects the year to end with more than 7,800 animals taken in from the field. 

A large number of animals in need are kittens born on the streets. Hearts Alive, along with all other shelters and animal services in the county, brace for “kitten season,” where cat populations increase significantly as temperatures increase. Organizations like Hearts Alive rely on medical and other community partnerships to help during these high intake periods. 

Hearts Alive staff includes Nikki Martinez, Director of Feline Solutions, and Lina Lakoczky-Torres, Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager. The nonprofit has two low cost clinics, a cat cafe, a retreat for at-risk dogs, an adoption center inside the Henderson Pet Smart, and offers a broad range of resources ranging from vet forensics to medical care. 

The cat cafe gives visitors a chance to meet feline “ambassadors” in an open space where rescue cats play and receive care. While many of their ambassadors are adoptable, some like long-time ambassador Whimsy, stay and receive ongoing care. Admission to the cafe is through a tax deductible donation. 

“When you help the cafe, you don’t only help the cafe, but you help all the other animals that are in our care,” Lakoczky-Torres said. 

Next to their cat cafe sits the “Dog Den.” Formerly their thrift store, the spot now allows high risk dogs a second chance and an open space to move around.

Lenny, a dog who was found after being thrown off a balcony, recovers in the Dog Den after a recent surgery.  Following his recovery, Lenny will be adopted and picked up by his new owner, who found him and brought him in for medical attention.

“It’s kind of like we have a whole little ecosystem to keep everything affordable and to keep saving animals-” Lina Lakoczky-Torres, Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager 

Volunteer information can be found at the Hearts Alive Village website. Public service forms, local ordinances, relevant permits and other information for pet ownership can be found on the Las Vegas Animal Protection Services website.