Ames Animal Shelter

Ames Animal Shelter This is the official page of the City of Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Services Division.
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This is an official page of the City of Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control Division of the Ames Police Department. For more information about the City of Ames, please visit www.cityofames.org. This site is intended to serve as a mechanism for communication between the public and the Ames Animal Shelter on the listed topics, and as a forum to further the mission of the Division. Questi

ons or comments can be addressed to Ron Edwards, Animal Control Supervisor at [email protected]. Terms of Use Guidelines
Comments posted to this page will be monitored and inappropriate content will be removed as soon as possible and without prior notice. We reserve the right to remove inappropriate content, including, but not limited to:
•obscene language or sexual content
•content that threatens or defames any person or organization
•content that incites violence or references killing anyone or anything
•content that violates the legal ownership interest of another party
•content that promotes illegal activity
•content that is repetitive or duplicative
•content that promotes commercial services or products or SPAM.
•content that promotes, foster, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, genetics, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or intellectual disability, or sexual orientation.
•content that is off-topic
•content that identifies personally identifying information including, but not limited to: email address, phone numbers, addresses, medical information, etc.
•content that is considered organized political activity

The City disclaims any and all responsibility and liability for any materials that the City deems inappropriate for posting, which cannot be removed in an expeditious and otherwise timely manner. Before posting on our page, please review the following:
•For issues regarding the safety of an animal or if you feel the safety of a human is at risk due to an animal, please contact the Animal Control Officer at 515-231-1080 M-F 8am-8pm, Sat and Sunday 8am-5pm. For animal emergencies outside these hours, please contact the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5133
•For all other animal related concerns or questions, you can contact the Ames Animal Shelter at 515-239-5530.
•Do not use this page to make an animal control report. Please contact the animal shelter or animal control officer directly by phone at the numbers listed above
•This page is not continually monitored by employees of the Ames Animal Shelter.
•Posting information related to an animal investigation on this page is not deemed anonymous. You may be contacted by an Ames Animal Control Officer if you are a witness to an event under investigation.
•Any use of the "like" feature between the Ames Animal Shelter and a private person does not indicate endorsement of that person’s actions or comments.
•A posting on this page constitutes acceptance of these Terms of Use.

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. This designation was given to help owners spot signs of discomfort in animals ...
09/06/2026

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. This designation was given to help owners spot signs of discomfort in animals and to recognize changes their pets are experiencing.

Some common signs of pain in pets are:
• Slower Movements - trouble standing up, jumping, or climbing stairs
• Behavior Changes - hiding, unusual aggression, less interest in playing
• Grooming Changes - licking one spot too much or unkempt fur from not grooming

If you notice signs of discomfort in your pet, talk to your veterinarian about safe medication, laser treatments, or massage therapy. Never give your pet human medications unless directed by your vet to do so.

And as a reminder: The best preventative medicine is exercise and a healthy diet/weight.

The Shelter will be closed on Monday, September 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Animal Services Officers will also be off...
09/06/2026

The Shelter will be closed on Monday, September 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Animal Services Officers will also be off duty on Monday, September 7th.

The Shelter will resume normal hours starting at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8th. Animal Services Officers will also resume their normal hours starting at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, September 8th.

If you have an animal emergency during this time, please contact the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5133. This is for emergencies ONLY. Otherwise, leave a message at the shelter at 515-239-5530, and our staff will return your call as soon as possible after the holiday.

Where Are They Wednesday on a Saturday? Yes, because today is National White Cat Day! Let’s hear about Serafina.We recei...
09/05/2026

Where Are They Wednesday on a Saturday? Yes, because today is National White Cat Day! Let’s hear about Serafina.

We received this report on a recent adoptee and thought we’d share.

“Serafina (formerly Wh**ey) is settling in nicely so far. She is happy and playful and has a healthy appetite. She started out hilariously ready to stomp at my other animals through the door when I go in/out, but we’ve started sharing the same churro stick as the other cats to get used to their smell. She tries to play with my cat through the cracked door now. She is still not a fan of my dog, but I’m not worried. She is the official house bug catcher! She’s very playful and even very soft with her nails & teeth when playing. She is a good girl and I’m happy to have her. Thank you guys very much!”

She looks relaxed and happy, even smiling in the one photo! We’re happy you have her also and know she is as well. Happy White Cat Date, Serafina!

If you have an update on one of our alumni, we’d love to hear it!

Have you been wishing you had a furry companion helping you deal with the pests on your rural property? We have the cats...
09/04/2026

Have you been wishing you had a furry companion helping you deal with the pests on your rural property? We have the cats for you! Harold and Quill are our two resident Working Cats, and they're ready to work for you. 🐱🚜🐱

At the Ames Animal Shelter, we are committed to increasing adoptions and decreasing euthanasia. We do not believe an animal deserves to be put to sleep simply because they have not been socialized around humans, i.e., feral cats. Sometimes, someone catches a stray cat that turns out to be a "feral" cat. They cannot stay where they were caught, but they don't want to live inside with humans either.

That's where our Working Cat Program comes in! Working Cats live in facilities such as barns, warehouses, garages, or any other space where they "work" for their human guardians to control the rodent population. Working Cats are NO cost to adopt from the shelter but still have received all the same medical care as the other cats in our care.

If you are interested, you can learn more by visiting our adoption page using the link below. Then, click on the tab "Learn More About Our Working Cat (Barn Cat) Program Here!" to read the Frequently Asked Questions about the program, and get the link to apply to adopt them!

Learn more about adopting an animal.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AaL9sxhr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
09/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AaL9sxhr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Introducing our September Shelter Pet of the Month, Scooby 🥹🦴

Scooby is up for adoption at Ames Animal Shelter 🤍. He was found as a stray and never claimed. He is about 5 years old and 100 pounds!

Scooby is a sweet boy who gets along with kids and other dogs. Shelter staff describe him as a “hunk of love!” His favorite things are treats and giving kisses.
He would love to have a comfy couch to nap on! 🛋️

If you are interested in adopting sweet Scooby, check out his profile at https://24petconnect.com/amesadoptablepets/Details/AMES/A014567 or stop by Ames Animal Shelter today to learn more! ☺️ let’s get him his forever home!

It’s Foster Friday! Meet Athena, Screech, and Doug!Athena is a 16 week old torby female. She weighs about 5 pounds. Athe...
09/04/2026

It’s Foster Friday! Meet Athena, Screech, and Doug!

Athena is a 16 week old torby female. She weighs about 5 pounds. Athena has a pretty face with round eyes and a gold stripe on her forehead. She’s a little shy at first, but loves head rubs.

Screech is a 16 week old, black female. She weighs about 4 pounds. Screech is very loving and affectionate. She’ll brush her tail against you asking for pets.

Doug is a playful and fun orange tabby. He loves attention, and is very loving and affectionate. He is about 15 weeks old and a little over 4 pounds.

Apply to meet these babies at www.amesanimalshelter.org

Wanted! Our cat bed blanket supply is very low. We are in need of non-pill fleece fabric and/or people to make sewn or t...
09/03/2026

Wanted! Our cat bed blanket supply is very low. We are in need of non-pill fleece fabric and/or people to make sewn or tied blankets. Tied blankets start at 30x20 inches with 1x5 inch tied strips around the edges. Fabric can be dropped off at the shelter during regular business hours. Thank you!!

Saturday & Monday 12:00-4:00
Tuesday - Friday 12:00-5:30

How could we not do a Thumbs-Up Thursday with mits like these? Olaf and his brother, Snoopy, are polydactyl, meaning the...
09/03/2026

How could we not do a Thumbs-Up Thursday with mits like these?

Olaf and his brother, Snoopy, are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes. They have extras on both front and back paws. Snoopy’s front paws look a bit more like baseball gloves than Olaf’s adorable mittens, but both are super unique and fun, just like the boys themselves. And they make great biscuits! The boys will be featured on our next “Meet Me Monday” post, so you can find out more about them.

Apply to meet them at www.amesanimalshelter.org

It’s Whisker Wednesday! This week we’re featuring Sushi, a 2 year old tuxedo cat with medium length fur and a bushy tail...
09/02/2026

It’s Whisker Wednesday! This week we’re featuring Sushi, a 2 year old tuxedo cat with medium length fur and a bushy tail. She weighs about 9 pounds and asks nicely if she can come up in your lap with a gentle tap.

If you’d like to meet this angelic darling, apply at www.amesanimalshelter.org

09/02/2026

Address

325 Billy Sunday Road
Ames, IA
50010

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 4pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5:30pm
Thursday 12pm - 5:30pm
Friday 12pm - 5:30pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

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