Incline Village’s newly remodeled Pet Network continues changing lives for animals—and the humans who love them

Bernice the long-haired French bulldog, courtesy photo

Bernice, a long-haired French bulldog, arrived at Incline Village’s Pet Network Humane Society this past summer from a partner shelter in Las Vegas. Small and sweet with gentle, soulful eyes, Bernice appeared to have been used for breeding, then abandoned when she was no longer able to carry puppies. She struggled to breathe and had several infections.

Pet Network veterinarians brought her in for immediate lifesaving care. She underwent airway repair surgery, including rhinoplasty and a palate resection, allowing her to breathe easily for the first time in her life. She was spayed and infections in her ears and uterus were treated, as were her painful skin allergies. A special diet helped her lose weight and eat without pain. 

After two weeks, Bernice had significantly improved; her infections were healing, and she enjoyed food with gusto. Her story—of hope, healing and second chances—is just one among the 1,000-plus successes for animals that come through the shelter each year. 

“We’re a little shelter with a huge heart,” says executive director Simi Balter. 

Remodel

The Pet Network has been a fixture in Incline Village for over 34 years. Both a community hospital and a no-kill shelter, the Pet Network often takes in animals with medical issues that can’t get care otherwise. 

Yet, the building was dated, and the original design was inefficient, with no dedicated treatment space. 

From left: Pet Network board chair Alan Wechsler; Mark Tanner, Robbie Jamison and Bob Roach of Mark Tanner Construction; and Pet Network executive director Simi Balter, courtesy photo

The nonprofit organization contacted Mark Tanner Construction (MTC), which has offices in Truckee and Minden. 

MTC originally planned to simply help the Pet Network secure permitting. But, says project manager Robbie Jamison, “It was a relationship-building experience. The longer we met to coordinate and explore pre-construction work, the relationship grew. We felt that we could get everything done successfully, without any real big compromise.” 

MTC worked within the Pet Network’s existing footprint to redesign the space, incorporating dedicated treatment and surgery centers and improving efficiency. 

“They were originally kind of using extra space for performing surgeries on animals,” Jamison says. “Now they have a dedicated facility.” 

Among the project highlights are a new surgery suite, sterile prep area, expanded X-ray room and new equipment. 

“Previously, we had to pass through four or five different doors to move a patient from a kennel to prep and to surgery,” says veterinarian Nicholas Robl. “With the new design, there is only one door between where we prepare the animals for surgery and the surgical suite.”

Robl notes that the improvements to workflow should increase the number of procedures the team can perform, while a new intensive care unit allows for better post-operation care. 

Construction began in February 2025 and ended in September. The MTC team was very conscientious, allowing the Pet Network to operate as usual, and giving plenty of notice on the days it would be loud to allow staff to prepare the animals accordingly. 

Jamison credits a host of companies—including Ryan Construction of Truckee, Brown & Read Engineering of Reno, A&A Custom Woodworks of Sparks and Briggs Electric of Carson City, among others—for contributing time and materials, allowing the project to come in not only under time, but also under budget. 

“We felt fortunate and honored to be able to help such a worthy organization with exceptional caring people that not only provide veterinary needs, but shelter for those animals waiting for adoption,” says Mark Tanner, MTC’s president.

It was a mutual appreciation. 

“Tanner and his team really delivered beyond our expectations,” Balter says. “We miss them; it felt like they were part of the Pet Network family.” 

Animals

In one of the Cat Cabins, a one-eyed kitten named Castor rubs against the side of his cage, looking for attention and pets. 

“Because we have this veterinary clinic on-site, we can take a lot of animals with medical issues,” says Bella O’Neal, who works in animal care. “Most shelters don’t have vet clinics.”

Castor the one-eyed kitten, courtesy photo

Castor and his brother Pollux came to the shelter from out of state with upper respiratory infections, or “kitty colds.” Though common, Castor’s sickness was severe, resulting in the removal of one eye. 

The Pet Network works with transfer partners around the United States; animals have come from as far away as Hawaii. 

“We are very lucky that we can bring in critical medical cases,” Balter says. 

Animals here are given every chance to succeed. When shelter animals arrive, they get “whisker to tail” care, including spays and neuters, and receive daily enrichment activities. The state-of-the-art machinery, like the new 3D CT scanner and flexible endoscope, is used for both the hospital and shelter animals. 

“You’re getting the highest quality care at an affordable price,” Balter says. “Anything we bring in for the community, we have access to for the shelter as well.” 

Robl estimates that Pet Network vets perform 20 to 40 surgeries a month. 

“Interestingly, we’ve now had several recent cases in which animals were unable to open their jaws,” Robl says. “Traditional X-rays are not very useful in diagnosing abnormalities of the skull and structures of the head because there is so much overlap of the tissues that it becomes difficult to impossible to identify the abnormality.”

He says the CT scanner has been crucial in performing advanced diagnostics. 

“We’ve used the CT scanner for several cases to properly visualize damage to the skull and plan surgical interventions to restore function of the jaw.” 

In 2023 and 2024, the Pet Network performed 966 spays and neuters, rescued 1,193 animals from partner shelters and helped 1,345 animals find homes. It hopes to build on those numbers with the updated space. 

People

All of the Pet Network’s staff are Fear Free certified—an important step to reducing fear and anxiety for shelter animals—and the organization achieved the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation, which places it among the top 15 percent of veterinary practices. 

“This recognition spotlights their unwavering commitment to providing the highest standard of veterinary care for both family pets and the shelter animals in the Lake Tahoe community,” Tanner says. 

Veterinarian Nicholas Robl, courtesy photo

The group also relies heavily on community support, evidenced not just in big ways—such as the generous donations of time, labor and materials from multiple companies in the MTC-led remodel—but in the daily volunteers who do everything from dog walking to outdoor cleanup to laundry. In addition, Simi says the milestone would not have been possible without the instrumental support of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, “whose generosity continues to shape animal welfare in Tahoe and beyond.” 

The community room hosts educational awareness programs and community events, such as the recent BARKtoberfest. The Pet Network’s annual Fur Ball, which last year raised more than $800,000, will be held June 6, while this December, the Gately Family Foundation sponsors animal adoptions for the month, covering all adoption fees and providing vouchers toward future veterinary care. 

“We want to be a shining star on the mountain,” Balter says. “Our staff is so compassionate, and we want our shelter to be such a warm place.” 

Happy Endings

The Pet Network has a bulletin board called The Trail Home that records all the animals currently up for adoption, as well as those that have recently found their forever home. It’s a testament to the bond between animals and people to see so many success stories.

“The Pet Network is truly the best thing to happen to rescued animals,” says Maryann McNulty. She has her own success story in Bernice, the French bulldog whose life was saved by the Pet Network. 

McNulty saw a picture of Bernice on the Pet Network’s Facebook page. Because of Bernice’s history, she requires prescription food, has some ongoing medical issues and needs dental work. However, “It was never a thought that I couldn’t commit to her,” McNulty says. “I fell in love with Bernice the moment I saw her online. Her gentle eyes, big smile and sweet soul has been the best addition to our family.” 

Shortly after bringing home Bernice, McNulty adopted a pregnant French bulldog. Bernice, the dog who had once been neglected and exploited, has received a second chance, not just in her new home with McNulty, but also as a surrogate sister and aunt, giving love and attention to both the puppies and the new mother. “You can tell Bernie has a story behind her eyes,” McNulty says. “I’m extremely proud to be her mom!” 

To learn more about the Pet Network, visit petnetwork.org. 

Writer Alison Bender has a rescue dog named Maggie, a very loud little chiweenie who keeps the entire family safe from the evil vacuum cleaner.