Animal Rescue League of Iowa

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Animal Rescue League of Iowa The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter, caring for many thousands of pets each year.

The ARL and its programs serve people and pets across Iowa. The ARL serves people and pets from across Iowa through programs including pet adoption, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and much more. This is a page for supporters of the ARL. By participating on this page, you are agreeing to our commenting policy, outlined below. We reserve the right to delete posts containing any of the following elements:- profanity - misinformation - spam - off-topic / irrelevant - personal attacks - promoting violence - promoting illegal or questionable activities - promoting fundraising, petitions, or rehoming pets outside of the ARL - advertisements. If you repeatedly violate this policy, you will be removed from our page. We appreciate your cooperation and support, and look forward to connecting with each of you, our loyal supporters!

HELP NEEDED: We're headed into the weekend, but with nearly 1,600 (!) animals in our care right now we are running very ...
10/31/2026

HELP NEEDED: We're headed into the weekend, but with nearly 1,600 (!) animals in our care right now we are running very low on some essential items. Can you help?

Here are our most urgent needs:
- Full-size bath towels – biggest need right now
- Cat carriers
- Churu or other tube treats
- Warm & Cozy Cat Wraps (exact item is on our Chewy Wish List)

You can drop off items at ARL Main, 5452 NE 22nd St., DSM, during our open hours (10-6 weekends, 12-7 weekdays). Or you can donate through our Amazon Wish List (https://ow.ly/CbIE50ZeJYl) or Chewy Wish List (https://ow.ly/x0oz50ZeJYm) to have items sent directly to us!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the pets in our care, including Tim, available for adoption at ARL Main!

(Please note that we have enough hand towels and washcloths. Full-size bath towels are what we need. Thanks!)

COOL CAT ALERT: Halloween is tomorrow, but no costume needed for this guy! Warren is available for adoption at ARL Main!...
10/30/2026

COOL CAT ALERT: Halloween is tomorrow, but no costume needed for this guy! Warren is available for adoption at ARL Main!

Learn all about him: https://ow.ly/8WuR5102Fq4

(P.S.: This is not AI, it's all Warren)

WANTED: FOREVER HOME: 10-year-old Chuck is an absolute sweetie who loves sitting next to you and keeping you company whi...
10/30/2026

WANTED: FOREVER HOME: 10-year-old Chuck is an absolute sweetie who loves sitting next to you and keeping you company while you’re relaxing. He thrives in calm, quiet spaces, likes being petted, and adores being brushed.

Chuck is diabetic and is looking for a family who will keep him on a special diet and give him insulin injections twice a day. He also is likely in kidney failure, but he is doing great right now and just wants a home where he can live out his life in comfort and love.

Can you open your heart and home to this senior boy? Learn more about him at https://ow.ly/IXju5102jGe, then email Mary at [email protected] to set up a visit!

Can’t adopt right now? Please spread the word about Chuck. He's been with us for a while, so we'd love to find him a loving home soon!

DON'T MISS OUT! Poorly Drawn Pets ends at midnight tonight (10/28)! Submit your pet’s photo and a $25 donation to have y...
10/28/2026

DON'T MISS OUT! Poorly Drawn Pets ends at midnight tonight (10/28)! Submit your pet’s photo and a $25 donation to have your pet drawn by one of our volunteer artists. We can’t promise what your drawing will look like, but we know it will be memorable!

Plus you can now have your pet’s portrait mailed to you – perfect for holiday gifts!

Learn more and submit your pet’s photo by midnight at https://ow.ly/84IA5101pOT.

All proceeds help the pets in our care.

Rescued!
10/28/2026

Rescued!

RESCUED! When ARL Animal Services officers responded to reports of a kitten crying in a storm drain in downtown Des Moines, we were able to hear the kitten but not see it. Thankfully some city employees met us there to help. They removed the drain cover and provided a ladder so our ASO could descend about 6 feet down into the drain. Still unable to see the kitten, we set a live trap with food inside. When we checked back the next day, the kitten was in the trap, and with the help of city employees we were able to bring the little guy to the surface. We're happy to share that he is now under the care of our Miracle Medical Team and doing well.

Thanks to the citizens who reported this kitten, and big thanks to the city employees who helped get this kiddo out of the drain and give him a second chance!

DID ANYONE SAY HOLIDAY GIFTS? Poorly Drawn Pets is back, just in time for the holidays! Just submit a photo of your pet,...
10/27/2026

DID ANYONE SAY HOLIDAY GIFTS? Poorly Drawn Pets is back, just in time for the holidays!

Just submit a photo of your pet, and our talented/not talented team will draw them. You won’t know whether you’ll be getting a Mona Lisa or something a little more Picasso (or preschool) ... and that’s all part of the fun!

You’ll get a digital copy of your drawing, and you can fast-track it for an additional donation.

Plus, back by popular demand and perfect for gifts, you can have the original hand-drawn portrait mailed to you. It’s the perfect gift for someone who has everything, because nothing comes close to being as unique (and potentially hilarious) as this keepsake.

Submit your pet now-Wednesday 10/28 at https://ow.ly/84IA5101pOT.

However you participate, you can feel good knowing proceeds from your masterpiece help pets in need.

GREAT NEWS: A total of 132 pets were adopted in just 3 days during our Adopt Your Boo adoption event! Here’s the breakdo...
10/26/2026

GREAT NEWS: A total of 132 pets were adopted in just 3 days during our Adopt Your Boo adoption event! Here’s the breakdown:

🐱 84 cats and kittens
🐶 44 dogs and puppies
🐰 3 rabbits
🐴 1 horse

Congrats to all the new families! Looking for a pet of your own? See all our available pets at ARL-Iowa.org.

Adoption event sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Goose was adopted in April 2026. "We love how much Goose loves to cuddle! Not only with us, but with...
10/26/2026

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Goose was adopted in April 2026. "We love how much Goose loves to cuddle! Not only with us, but with his feline brother, Mr. Beans. He’s a very silly and playful guy and often gets the zoomies after his meals. Three legs definitely don’t stop him from having fun and getting in trouble!"

Have you adopted a pet from the ARL? We'd love to hear how they're doing and give them a chance to be featured here or in our Midweek Mews e-newsletter. Share about them here: https://ow.ly/ZQhp50ZpH5J!

GREAT NEWS: 84 pets have been adopted in the first two days of our Adopt Your Boo adoption event! There's just one day l...
10/25/2026

GREAT NEWS: 84 pets have been adopted in the first two days of our Adopt Your Boo adoption event! There's just one day left of $40 adoptions for cats and dogs 6 months and older, so don't miss out! Just come to any ARL adoption location tomorrow (10/25) - and don't forget that we’ll have dogs at the Ankeny PetSmart from 10-1!

See adoptable pets, as well as hours and locations, at ARL-Iowa.org.

Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Address

5452 N. E. 22nd Street
Des Moines, IA
50313

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 7pm
Tuesday 12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+15152629503

Website

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