Humane World Action Fund’s first-ever state report highlights bipartisan progress on pet protection, anti-cruelty reforms and housing access

CARSON CITY, Nv. (Aug. 26, 2025)—Voters in Nevada now have a new resource to understand how their elected officials stand on animal welfare issues. The first-ever Nevada Humane Scorecard from the nation’s leading political animal advocacy organization, Humane World Action Fund (formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund), grades state lawmakers on their actions to advance animal protection during the most recent legislative session.

The 2025 Nevada Humane Scorecard highlights bipartisan support among several animal protection measures. Bills were signed into law that will provide civil immunity for aiding animals trapped in hot cars, expand breed ban prohibitions to commercial properties like apartment complexes, and require animal welfare-related signage at businesses offering paid animal interactions.

"From protecting pets trapped in hot cars to increasing penalties for animal cruelty to expanding housing access for families with animals, Nevada lawmakers showed that compassion transcends party lines," said Rebecca Goff, Nevada state director for Humane World Action Fund. “This scorecard reflects the growing, bipartisan commitment to making our communities safer and more compassionate for people and animals alike.”

Most Nevada state senators—16 in total—scored 67% or higher on the scorecard, with 11 senators receiving a perfect score of 100%. Additionally, a majority of the Nevada state assembly—29 members—received a perfect score.

About the scorecard

The 2025 Nevada Humane Scorecard features the following bills. Humane World Action Fund only scores bills that receive roll-call votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions. When reading the scorecard, a ✓ indicates a pro-animal action.

  • Pets in Housing (SB 166): This bill removes breed bans from insurance policies for commercial properties and requires certain subsidized housing to allow tenants at least one pet. The bill builds on existing law that prohibits breed restrictions in private homeowners' insurance and expands it to commercial properties such as apartment complexes. Sponsored by Sen. Melanie Schieble (D-9) and signed into law.
  • Reba’s Law (AB 381): This bill increases penalties for certain animal crimes. It also revises the process to seize and care for cruelly treated animals, creates tougher punishments for harming or killing police dogs, and provides civil immunity for aiding an animal trapped in a hot car under certain circumstances. Sponsored by Assembly Members Melissa Hardy (R-22), Brian Hibbetts (R-13), Elaine Marzola (D-21), Brittney Miller (D-5) and Sen. Melanie Scheible (D-9) and signed into law.
  • Animal Welfare Concerns Signage (AB 136): This bill requires certain businesses that offer paid animal interactions to post a publicly visible sign informing patrons with animal welfare concerns how and to whom to report complaints. Sponsored by Assembly Member Venicia Considine (D-18) and signed into law.
  • Cindy Lou’s Law (AB 487): The original Assembly bill proposed eliminating the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores seeking to end the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline in Nevada. However, despite broad bipartisan support in the Assembly, a committee amendment in the Senate gutted the original provisions, calling instead for a study of retail pet store sales. This bill is not included in the Senate portion of the scorecard and was not signed into law.

As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, Humane World Action Fund publishes state legislative and congressional scorecards to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships and other actions of lawmakers. These scorecards highlight which lawmakers are leading on animal protection, and which ones need greater pressure to act. Explore all our scorecards online at humaneaction.org/humane-scorecard.

Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo: ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475