A pair of camels named Moses and Abraham have lived quietly in Henderson for years.
Now suddenly, they’re a problem for City Hall.
And a lot of locals are pretty upset about that.
She got her first camel back in 2013. Now, she feels like she might have to choose between losing her animals or having to move https://t.co/Nfp9Gu3UqW
— KTNV | Channel 13 News Las Vegas (@KTNV) March 17, 2026
A Community Favorite, Not a Nuisance
Moses and Abraham aren’t some random wild animals.
Moses is a 13-year-old domesticated camel owned by Henderson resident Nancy Rouas, who runs Petting Zoo 2 U.
According to FOX5 reporting:
- Moses has lived on the property since he was 6 months old
- The second camel, Abraham, joined him later
- The camels are used at church nativity scenes, schools, festivals, senior centers, and private events
In other words, they’re not hidden. They’re part of the community.
The “Problem” According to the City
The City of Henderson says camels are considered prohibited animals unless the owner gets proper approvals and permits.
They also say they rely on U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines when reviewing animals like camels.
Officials say they’ve been working with Rouas through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process.
But here’s the issue.
Rouas told FOX5 she had regular inspections for years with no problems.
Then in summer 2024, a new animal control officer showed up and cited her for owning “exotic” animals.
So did the animal suddenly change… or did the rules?
Because Moses and Abraham didn’t just show up last week.
This Is Bigger Than Two Camels
The city says the permit review isn’t just about the pair of camels.
It’s about the entire property, which includes:
- Dozens of chickens
- Around 60 pigeons
- Roughly 125 animals total on about 1.5 acres
Fair enough. Cities have to consider space, safety, and sanitation.
But again, the key question is:
Were there any actual problems… or was it just a permit that wasn’t paid for?
Because those aren’t the same thing.
When Regulation Replaces Common Sense
This is where a lot of residents are drawing the line.
If an animal is:
- Well cared for
- Not bothering neighbors
- Not creating safety issues
Then why should government step in after 13 years?
The Petition Pushback
A petition called “Save Our Community Camels” has already gathered around 22,000 signatures.
That’s not nothing.
That tells us the community sees value in what Rouas is doing with the animals.
They see Moses and Abraham as part of Henderson.
What Happens Next
The issue is headed to a Planning Commission hearing on April 16, where the city will decide whether to approve the Conditional Use Permit.
That decision will likely determine whether Moses and Abraham can stay.
No one is arguing against reasonable rules. But to supporters, Moses and Abraham aren’t code violations.
These two camels have lived peacefully in a community for years without causing problems.
If no one in the community has a problem with them being there, why should the government?
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