ARL Animal Services

05/25/2026

All ARL locations are closed today for Memorial Day in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Our animals are still being cared for by amazing staff and volunteers, and we will reopen tomorrow with normal business hours.

As always, our dedicated ARL Animal Services officers are on duty, serving pets and people in our community. If you see an animal in distress in the city of Des Moines, call (515) 283-4811. If you see an animal in distress in any other area, call the non-emergency law enforcement number for that area.

You can see adoptable pets, hours and locations at ARL-Iowa.org.

05/22/2026

Come give a dog a break from the shelter!

DOG’S DAY OUT: Want to take advantage of the beautiful weather we’re having? Give a dog a day out! Our Dog's Day Out program gives dogs a break from the shelter and an opportunity to relax and have fun with human friends. Whether going on walks, visiting pet-friendly businesses, or just lounging around at home, they'll get huge benefits from their time away.

Don’t forget, you can give a dog a day out at ARL Main AND ARL Animal Services! Pongo (pictured, available for adoption at ARL Animal Services) recently went on a Dog's Day Out field trip and his human companions said he had a great time with them on their picnic and coffee run! He loved riding in the car and using up his happy energy.

Learn more and sign up to give a dog a day out at either location at https://ow.ly/hjZI50Z2YGP!

05/13/2026

RESCUED: When our ARL Animal Services officer responded to a call about a kitten heard meowing from inside a storm drain, he arrived to find the 7-week-old kitten four feet below the ground. We don’t know how long she had been there all alone. Our A*O was unable to remove the grate over the drain, so he reached out to Des Moines Public Works and three workers came out with their tools to help.

The city workers removed the drain cover and helped our A*O bring the kitten up to safety. Then our A*O gave her some food and transported her back to the shelter, where she is now receiving care in our Kitten Nursery and chatting with everyone who visits her kennel.

Thank you to Des Moines Public Works for their assistance in rescuing this kitten!

05/08/2026

RESCUED: When our Animal Welfare & Response Team traveled to Norwalk yesterday to provide supplies to pet families who lost their homes in an apartment fire that morning, a family asked us for help with their cat, Monkey, who had escaped in the chaos of the fire and hid under the hood of a car.

Without hesitation, our team jumped in to help Monkey, lifting the car with a car jack and reaching in to find him. Our team carefully pulled Monkey from the car and placed him safely in his carrier, and now he’s back with his family where he belongs!

05/02/2026

Our hearts go out to our partner Spock's Sanctuary, which suffered a devastating fire last night. The ARL team and Snakes Alive are currently assisting Spock’s in caring for the dozens of snakes, tortoises and other reptiles that survived the blaze, including assisting with cleaning and housing. The needs of the animals are still being evaluated, but Spock’s could really use your help.

To donate toward their recovery efforts, please go to their website: https://www.spockssanctuary.org/donate.

04/17/2026

Come meet Neon Orange!

UPDATE: ADOPTED!

WANTED: GREAT HOME! Neon Orange arrived at the ARL shy and fearful. He came from a situation where he didn’t get the exposure to the world young dogs like him usually do, so everything was new and scary for him. Our team has been helping Neon gain confidence through play, treats, and time to explore his surroundings, and we’re happy to say that he has made great progress!

Recently, Neon took a big step in his journey and went on a Dog’s Day Out field trip. While he was still unsure on his day out, Neon loved playing outside with his human companion and getting lots of snuggles! They played together more when they got back to the shelter, and Neon showed how fun and goofy he could be in a familiar environment. We’re so proud of how brave Neon was on his day out!

Neon is looking for a loving, patient family who will give him all the time he needs to gain even more confidence in his new home. If that sounds like you, come meet him at ARL Animal Services! It will be so rewarding to watch Neon blossom and become braver each day.

Learn more about Neon Orange at https://ow.ly/TatS50YLlq4.

04/12/2026

CHECK THIS OUT: It’s Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week, and we want to thank our hardworking and dedicated ARL Animal Services officers for everything they do for the pets and people of Des Moines!

365 days a year – no matter the weather, no matter how difficult the situation – our A*Os are on the front lines helping animals in need, reuniting lost pets with owners, and protecting health and safety. In 2025, our A*Os responded to over 11,000 calls for service in the city! Their commitment also includes going above and beyond in their professional development, including extra training through the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA). Currently, all ARL A*Os hold NACA certifications.

Please join us in thanking our A*Os for going above and beyond every day for the animals of Des Moines!

Pictured from left, our A*O team: Josh Colvin, Madison Oswalt, Madeline Van Dee, Allie Chavez, Kris Wilder, Grace Frederickson, Paige Amundson and Amy Palmer

04/02/2026

DOG’S DAY OUT SUCCESS: Duke’s new family has visited the shelter several times to give dogs a break from the shelter through our Dog’s Day Out program, and this time they fell in love! When it was time to bring Duke back to the shelter, they decided he was meant to stay with them and adopted him that day.

Interested in giving a dog a break from the shelter here at ARL Animal Services? Learn more about our Dog’s Day Out program and get started at https://ow.ly/N2kW50YCr4O!

04/01/2026

GREAT NEWS: Starting today, Des Moines residents reclaiming lost pets for the first time within 24 months will not have to pay City of Des Moines reclaim fees to take their pets home, although other fees will still apply. The change is intended to help reduce the number of pets that are surrendered because of fees when they already have families who love them and allow lost pets to be reunited with their families faster, meaning more kennels will be available for animals who truly need them. The council also voted to reduce second- and third-time city reclaim fees, and to adjust some other fees related to licensing, boarding and microchips. Kudos to the Des Moines City Council for making this important change to help keep pets and their families together!

03/13/2026

CAT-DOG ALERT: Want a cat who acts like a dog? Meet Squirrel! This guy LOVES to play (wand toys and kickers are his favorite) and he’s very adventurous – he might even like walking around with you on a harness!

When Squirrel isn’t playing up a storm, he loves to be loved. He’ll happily greet you and ask for pets and loves a good lap. When you pet him, he has the sweetest purr!

If you love cats AND dogs, Squirrel is the best of both worlds. Come meet him at ARL Animal Services!

Learn more about Squirrel at https://ow.ly/sXAO50YtO4F.

03/09/2026