Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign

Vital Need | The Solution | Information

Connecting People to Pets Campaign

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is in the process of raising funds to build a new animal shelter in Des Moines to serve central Iowa and beyond. The state-of-the-art facility will be a safe haven and learning center for animals and people. Scores of animal lovers and long-time supporters have already joined the effort to make the new shelter a reality.

The Vital Need for a New Shelter

In 1986, when the Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s current facility at 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, was built, the shelter was caring for approximately 3,000 animals annually. Since then, the number of homeless and abused animals coming through the shelter’s doors has increased to staggering levels—more than 18,000 in 2007.

At the same time, the ARL has worked hard to address the staggering pet overpopulation crisis by adding programs and services that directly impact pet homelessness including spay/neuter; positive reinforcement pet training; humane education for all ages; animal cruelty/abuse intervention and expanded adoption programs. With these services has come an influx of people as well as animals. The ARL’s staff, both professional as well as animal care workers, has more than doubled. Additionally, the number of people volunteering at the ARL and seeking the ARL’s services has increased. The ARL’s current facility and infrastructure simply cannot accommodate the growing needs of the animals and the community.

A new shelter is not only needed because the ARL’s current facility lacks square footage. The ARL needs better-designed space to care for the animals and accommodate the people. The ARL’s current shelter’s ventilation and air circulation system is terribly inadequate making treatment and containment of even common animal illnesses like kennel cough and feline upper respiratory infection nearly impossible to combat. Further, staff and volunteers lack space to carry out their important program work. Boxes line every hall as storage closets are being used to house staffers. Volunteer committees are forced to meet off-site or in cramped offices because there is not a single conference or meeting room. The ARL’s one and only original conference room was long ago filled with cubicles to meet staffing needs.

The Solution—A New Shelter

“The Animal Rescue League performs a most important and humane task in our community. It helps us take care of some of the most helpless creatures in our community—our animals. The growing needs of the League have made essential larger and more efficient facilities in which to care for and find homes for our loveable pets.”

Elizabeth Kruidenier, attorney

The goal of the ARL is to create a new facility located on the current ARL site that would adequately accommodate the current and future demand for animal care and services. The ARL plans to build the new shelter on available green space on its existing 9 acres at 5452 NE 22nd Street in Des Moines. The ARL will continue to operate in its existing facility until the new shelter is complete (expected by the end of 2008).

The new facility will create a healthy environment specifically designed to include larger adoption space, more natural light, an outdoor exercise area, community education classrooms, modern kennels, enhanced ventilation and a medical treatment/surgical center.

Proposed Cost: $10.5 million including construction, equipment and furnishings, site preparation and contingencies.