Animal Rescue League of Iowa

06/23/2025

SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS: Our summer kids camp is back! If you have an animal-loving child entering grades 2-4, register them for Camp Kindness at ARL Main! The weeklong half-day camp (Aug. 4-8 from 8-noon) offers hands-on, animal-focused learning, crafts, games and plenty of time with shelter pets – all centered on kindness, empathy and animal care.

Spots are limited, so register now to give your child a week filled with animals, fun activities and making a difference. Cost is $150/child and includes a T-shirt and snacks.

Find more info and register at https://ow.ly/H3Rr50Wf88r.

06/23/2025

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? "Tripp (left) is our wonderful tripawd. He loves playing bubbles, zoomies, and letting us know exactly what he thinks. He is shown here with Rudy, another ARL alum (adopted in February 2013), and Rudy loves letting Tripp know that size doesn't matter!"

06/21/2025

UPDATE :ADOPTED!

WANTED: FOSTER HOME OR FOREVER HOME: 8-year-old Pippin Dots is the sweetest, most gentle cat who just wants a quiet home and someone to love. She came to us after her owner passed away and her whole world turned upside down. It took her a little while to open up in a new place with new people, but once she felt safe she became the kind and loving girl she always was. She is so ready to be part of a family again.

Pippin loves scratches and tummy rubs and is in her happy place sitting next to you while you’re working or relaxing. She has a big purr that she loves to share! She is a larger girl and would really appreciate someone who will help her gradually lose some weight so she can feel more comfortable. She has already lost a pound in our care and we can see the difference even that has made for her!

Interested in adopting this incredibly sweet cat? Learn more about Pippin at https://ow.ly/iTk850WelvO, then visit her at ARL Main! Interested in fostering? Email Mary at [email protected]!

Please spread the word to help Pippin find a home!

06/21/2025

CHECK THIS OUT: Looking to add a pet to the family? We are open for adoptions at all ARL locations right now, PLUS we have 8 dogs available for adoption at Floor & Decor in West Des Moines today until 3 p.m. (including those pictured here).

Come out and meet a new friend today! You can see all our available pets, plus hours/locations at ARL-Iowa.org.

06/20/2025

☀️ HEAT ADVISORY☀️ If you’ve set foot outside today, you know it is hot, hot, HOT! It’s currently 91 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.

06/20/2025

LAST CHANCE: Today is the LAST DAY to enter and vote for your pet in our Rescue Beer contest! The pet who wins first place will be featured on the can of our Rescue Beer with Confluence Brewing Company!

Just upload a photo of your pet and ask friends and family to vote! Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT, so don’t wait!

Enter your pet at vote at https://ow.ly/3PLf50W7Omk.

Pictured: Last year’s winner, Bear!

06/20/2025

REUNITED: Clovis slipped out of his home a month ago when his family was getting a window fixed. They looked everywhere, and when they couldn't find him they continued to spread the word on social media hoping someone would recognize him with his unusual bobtail and big mitten feet. Today, someone did!

A person who works closely with our Operation CatSnip trap-neuter-return program found Clovis in his trap early this morning and thought he looked familiar. Then he remembered he had seen the cat before … in a community Facebook post! He immediately commented on the post, saying he was bringing Clovis to the ARL in the hopes that he could be reunited with his family. Not even 2 hours later, his family was at the ARL to pick him up. They were so thankful he was found safe a whole month later!

Clovis was lucky that his finder happened to see the Facebook post about him. He could just as easily have been found by someone who hadn’t and may never have been reunited with his family. Before Clovis left we made sure he was microchipped to give him a permanent form of identification and an even better chance of reuniting with his family if he should ever get lost again.

If your pet isn't microchipped yet, now is a great time - before the fireworks start! The ARL offers walk-in microchipping Monday-Saturday at ARL Main and ARL Animal Services. Learn more at https://ow.ly/axwu50WcE87.

06/19/2025

UPDATE: ADOPTED!

CUTE KITTEN ALERT: Need a mitten kitten? Adorable Yzma has extra toes on all four paws – her front feet look like catcher’s mitts!

She and her kitten sister Suzie are a perfect pair, with Yzma seeking out cuddles and Suzie acting like a puppy (sniffing and exploring) or a parrot (perching on shoulders), depending on the hour. These two are currently in a foster home and they LOVE each other, so we’ve designated them Bonded Buddies (meaning they’ll be adopted together).

Interested in adopting Yzma and Suzie? Email [email protected] to set up an appointment!

06/18/2025

Thanks to the painters who called to help these baby skunks!

RESCUED! What’s black and white and stuck in a window well? These 3 baby skunks! Painters found these little guys while working and tried lowering a board in the 4-foot-deep space so they could climb out on their own, but unfortunately the skunks didn’t budge. When our ARL Animal Services officer arrived, he was able to quickly net all 3 babies and lift them out so they could run off to safety.

Baby season for wildlife is in full swing right now, and while these particular babies clearly needed saving, it’s important to know what to do if you find baby wild animals. Find more info in our online Resource Library at https://ow.ly/ZJVZ50WbZf6.

Thanks to the painters who called to get these babies help in their time of need!

06/17/2025

WHAT THE CLUCK? Talk about a chicken on the wrong side of the road! Luckily an ARL Animal Services officer was called to rescue this poor, confused hen from in front of Buffalo Wild Wings on SE 14th in Des Moines today. She’s now safe and receiving the care she needs.

Interested in adding to your flock? While this hen isn’t currently available for adoption, we have many others who are. Check the comments for how to adopt!

(P.S.: All ARL animals are adopted as family pets.)

06/16/2025

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Moonlight and Jelly were adopted in January 2024. "Moonlight and Jelly are total velcro kitties! They're both so playful and sweet in their own ways, and even trade off with who gets attention. Jelly loves her stuffed toys, while Moonlight loves her strings!"