Henderson petting zoo owner clears hump over camel dispute

The owner of a Henderson-based mobile petting zoo cleared a major regulatory hump Thursday after the city’s planning commission approved a permit that allows her to continue to keep her camels and other animals at her home.

The Henderson Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of issuing Petting Zoo 2 U owner Nancy Rouas a conditional use permit that allows her to increase the number of animals she can keep on-site at her home, where her business is headquartered. She also has a llama, chickens, a rooster, goats and sheep, parrots, rabbits, horses, and a donkey, among other animals.

Roughly two dozen people who attended Thursday’s meeting in support of Rouas erupted into applause after the committee voted to issue the permit. Afterward, an emotional Rouas burst into tears and thanked supporters — many of whom wore buttons featuring photos of Rouas’ two dromedary camels Moses and Abraham.

“I got what I wanted,” Rouas said outside of Henderson City Hall, where Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting took place. “I’m so grateful. I’m humbled that the community has supported me through this.”

The permit also modifies fencing and enclosure standards for Rouas’ residence in the 500 block of North Pueblo Boulevard, near the intersection of East Lake Mead Parkway and East Warm Springs Road.

The commission stated in a report related to Rouas’ permit application that she still needs to obtain an Animal Establishment Permit. But Rouas told reporters after her hearing that she considers the matter put to bed.

Several members of the public at Thursday’s meeting said Rouas’ animals have impacted their lives for the better.

“They’re lovely,” said Regina Constacio, a neighbor whose backyard adjoins Rouas’ lot. “They’re not too noisy. They don’t smell, nothing.”

‘We’re really proud to have you in Henderson’

The city additionally noted that Rouas still needs approval from the city and federal authorities if she wishes to exhibit her camels and other animals classified as exotic by federal agencies under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.

To do so, Rouas would also need to obtain an exhibitor’s license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Jared Tasko, Henderson’s principal planner, at the start of Thursday’s meeting.

Rouas said she doesn’t intend to exhibit the camels except for religious events like nativity scenes and other faith-based events, which are exempt from USDA exhibition requirements.

“The USDA does not require me to have a license to own a camel or keep a camel or enjoy the camel or ride the camel with my friends and family in the desert,” Rouas said. “They only require a USDA license for exhibiting the animal at a public event for money.”

Planning Committee officials noted Rouas has operated her petting zoo business out of Henderson for nearly three decades, and several planning commissioners thanked Rouas for providing such a unique service to Henderson residents and others across Southern Nevada.

“You run a great facility and we’re really proud to have you in Henderson,” Planning Commission Vice Chair Dave Beason told Rouas.

Camel kerfuffle started in 2024

Rouas told the Las Vegas Review-Journal previously that the kerfuffle over her camels started in 2024 after an animal control officer insisted that Moses and Abraham were exotic animals and therefore not allowed to reside within city limits. She said previously that if the city denied her permit application she would consider moving to a municipality that would let her keep her animals.

Rouas and others on Thursday reiterated their belief that camels are among the oldest domesticated species and that governments should not consider them to be exotic.

Camels are not specifically listed in the Henderson Municipal Code, which states exotic animals are only allowed if the owner receives proper permitting.

Rouas on Thursday again pushed back on the notion that camels are exotic animals because they have lived alongside humans for thousands of years and are valued because of the companionship, resources and labor they provide to people.

Rouas further said that other camelid species such as alpacas and llamas are considered domesticated creatures under U.S. law.

“Just because camels are not common here in the United States does not make them different,” Rouas said. “If you can keep a horse or a cow here, you should be able to keep a camel.”