LAS VEGAS -- Workers at Lied Animal Shelter said they've come a long way since 1,000 dogs and cats had to be put to sleep last year.

But there are new concerns about the short amount of time the animals are kept alive until they're euthanized.

The shelter said they euthanize every day, for behavioral and medical reasons, but some people have said 72 hours isn't enough time.

Lied Animal Shelter at 655 N. Mojave Road holds animals until their rightful owners claim them, but if strays fail either behavioral or medical testing, after 72 hours, they're put down.

"If they could add a couple more days for people who lost their dogs, it would make it easier," said Cindy Seglin of Adopt A Rescue Pet.

"If there would be more people who spay and neuter their animals, then we wouldn't be forced to euthanize," said Director of Operations Darin Landrum.

Landrum said if there's space, they will hold animals longer, but they can't wait forever. They can only house 1,000 per day.

"It’s a community problem at large. We try to do what we can. We try to hold the animals as long as we can. But when you're dealing with 55,000 plus animals a year, after 72 hours, a decision does have to be made," Landrum said.

He said the numbers just don't even out. They're getting 150 to 200 animals per day coming into the shelter, and they're only able to adopt 100 to 150 per week.

"We are not euthanizing, because we want to … because the community isn't being responsible," Landrum said.

He said the system works. He had 55,000 animals come in last year, and he expects that number to drop by 10,000 this year.

The shelter said if everyone would spay, neuter and microchip their pets, 30,000 animals in Las Vegas would not have to be put down every year.