ARL Animal Services

09/01/2026

☀️ HEAT ADVISORY☀️ If you’ve set foot outside today, you know it is hot, hot, HOT! It’s currently 93 in DSM with a heat index in the hundreds, and those temps are expected to continue for the next several days – so PLEASE keep your pets safe and keep an eye out for pets in distress. Remember:

1. NEVER leave your pet (or child) alone in a parked vehicle – even in the shade, even with the windows vented. With extreme temps like today the inside can reach 114 degrees in just 10 minutes! Even leaving them for "just a minute” can be deadly.

2. Keep pets indoors as much as possible and provide plenty of fresh, cold water. Also consider putting water out for community cats and wildlife.

3. Avoid hiking, running, walking and exercising outside with dogs during peak heat hours – they can burn their paws on asphalt, concrete and even turf, and are at a higher risk of heat stress. (Remember: If it's hot for you, it's even hotter for your dog!)

4. Be alert for the signs of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red tongue. If you believe your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, contact your veterinarian right away — it could save your pet's life.

If you see a pet in distress in the city of Des Moines, call (515) 283-4811 to have an ARL Animal Services officer dispatched. During extreme temps, these calls are considered priority calls. If you see a pet in distress in any other city, call the non-emergency police number for that area.

08/17/2026

HELP NEEDED: ARL Animal Services is seeking help finding the owner of this lost, injured dog. If you have information, please call (515) 686-8274. Thank you!

08/15/2026

RESCUED: When ARL Animal Services officers responded to a call about a dog barking from an open well early this morning, they found a large dog lying in mud and water at the bottom of a roughly 8-foot-deep hole.

There was no way the dog could get out on his own, so our team and Des Moines Police worked together to pull him safely to solid ground.

Thankfully a neighbor recognized the dog, who was named Kush, and notified his family. Cathy and her son rushed to ARL Animal Services, where they greeted our team with hugs and were happily reunited with their beloved dog.

It turns out Kush had been missing since Aug. 9, and his family had all but given up hope of ever seeing him again. Now that he was back with them where he belonged, they planned to get him microchipped to give them a better chance of being reunited with them quickly if he ever went missing again.

Thank you to the good Samaritan who made the report and the Des Moines Police officers who assisted with this rescue!

08/08/2026

NO-FEE ADOPTIONS CONTINUE! Wow - in the first two days of our Clear the Shelters adoption event, a total of 146 pets found new homes!!

No-fee adoptions continue today-Sunday for dogs and cats 6 mo+ at all ARL locations, including ARL Animal Services, thanks to Hill’s Pet Nutrition covering those fees!

You can see all available pets, as well as hours/locations at ARL-Iowa.org. Come out and find a new friend!

Pictured: Nova, adopted from ARL Animal Services, and her new family!

Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition

08/06/2026

NO-FEE ADOPTIONS! Visit us Thursday-Sunday (Aug. 6-9) and adopt a new friend!

STARTING TOMORROW: NO-FEE ADOPTIONS! Tomorrow-Sunday (Aug. 6-9), Hill's Pet Nutrition is generously COVERING adoption fees for dogs and cats 6+ months for our Clear the Shelters adoption event!

This includes pets at all ARL locations, as well as pets available for adoption in foster homes. Use the money you save on adoption fees to stock up on supplies for your new family member in our Animal House store.

See adoptable pets + locations/hours at ARL-Iowa.org. Please spread the word to help as many animals as possible find homes!

Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition

(Pictured: Sergeant, available for adoption at ARL Animal Services!)

07/15/2026

GREAT NEWS: Chowder was one of several adoptable dogs who visited the Grimes Farmers Market over the weekend ... and who did he meet there but his new family! After visiting with him at the market, the family went home and thought about it and decided they had to come visit him again at our ARL Animal Services adoption center. Once again, Chowder and the kids got along great - a perfect match in energy and playfulness. We're happy to share that now he's part of the family!

07/12/2026

Last day for $40 adoptions for dogs and cats ages 6 mo+! Come visit us and find a new friend!

07/11/2026

$40 ADOPTIONS CONTINUE: Our Boops and Scoops adoption event is still going strong today! Come to ANY ARL adoption location today and tomorrow (7/12) for $40 adoption fees on dogs at cats 6 months and up!

Don’t forget, this event also includes pets available for adoption by appointment and in foster homes. To meet those pets, just contact us using the information in their website bios. If you reach out by 6 p.m. tomorrow, we’ll honor the discounted adoption fee when you visit – even if it’s after the event ends!

See all the amazing pets waiting to meet you, plus locations and hours, at ARL-Iowa.org.

Adoption event sponsored by the Cone family.

Pictured: Garrett, available for adoption at ARL Animal Services!

07/09/2026

STARTING TODAY: $40 ADOPTIONS! Our Boops and Scoops adoption event starts today and runs through Sunday (7/12)! Come to any ARL adoption location for $40 adoption fees for dogs and cats 6+ months!

All dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, and adopters receive discounts on ARL dog training classes and ARL Animal House store purchases. Use the money you save on adoption fees to spoil your pet even more!

See all adoptable pets, plus locations and hours, at ARL-Iowa.org.

Adoption event sponsored by the Cone family.

(Pictured: Seven, just one pet waiting to meet you!)

07/09/2026

STARTING TOMORROW: $40 ADOPTIONS! Our Boops and Scoops adoption event starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday (7/12)! Come to ANY ARL adoption location for $40 adoption fees for dogs and cats 6 months and older! Will you give them a new home where they can chill?

Pro tips for this event:
🍨 See all our adoptable pets, as well as locations/hours, at ARL-Iowa.org! We recommend coming as early as possible to ensure you’ll be able to adopt that day.
🍦 If you’d like to introduce your dog to another dog or your child to any pet, please bring them with you when you visit!
🍨 This event also includes pets in foster homes and ones available by appointment. To meet those pets, contact us using the info in their website bios. If we receive your request by 6 p.m. Sunday, we’ll honor the discounted adoption fee when you visit – even if the visit happens after the promo is over!
🍦 Use the money you save on your adoption fee to spoil your new family member! We make it easy to load up on supplies, treats and toys at our Animal House store at ARL Main!

Please spread the word to help pets find homes during this event!

(Pictured: Just a few pets looking for new families right now!)