Since the Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s incorporation in 1926, more than a million animals have seen their way to a better life. Throughout the decades, the ARL’s core values of advocacy, rescue, community, and education have guided our lifesaving work, prompting continued expansion to better serve the pets who rely on us. Take a look back at a century of changing lives.
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Founding
The ARL is incorporated by a group of 6 women after previously operating informally as a foster-based rescue organization.
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The first shelter
The ARL begins operating a shelter out of attending veterinarian Dr. Simon Beattie’s barn at 3407 Cottage Grove Ave. in Des Moines.
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The first large-scale rescue
The ARL assists in its first large-scale rescue: 100 dogs found in a Des Moines home. A temporary shelter is set up at the state fairgrounds, and the dogs are eventually signed over to the ARL for adoption.
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A new shelter
The ARL opens a new shelter at 919 14th St.
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Early advocacy
The ARL advocates against giving chicks and baby rabbits as Easter gifts.
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Three new properties
The ARL acquires 3 properties next to the 14th St. shelter, including one donated by founding member Lela Gray, with the goal of expansion, including adding a humane education center.
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Progressive ideas
For its annual meeting, the ARL brings in a guest speaker who argues that animal rescue organizations should prioritize education over enforcement for a more lasting impact.
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Training classes
The ARL begins offering dog care classes promoting responsible pet ownership and positive training methods.
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Advocacy against medical research
The ARL refuses a request to provide dogs for medical research, a policy it has maintained throughout its history.
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A new 23-acre property
The ARL purchases a property at 5452 NE 22nd St. after being forced to move as a result of freeway construction and urban renewal.
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A new building
The ARL opens a new, 13,000-sq-ft shelter at the NE 22nd St. location.
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Mandated spay and neuter
An Iowa law championed by the ARL goes into effect mandating that pets adopted from shelters be spayed or neutered.
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An update for advocacy laws
Iowa’s animal cruelty laws are updated for the first time in 100+ years after a 2-year advocacy effort by the ARL and others.
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A heartbreaking rescue in Union County
The ARL assists in rescuing 81 dogs from a Union County puppy mill whose owner had been videotaped suturing a dog without anesthesia.
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Westward expansion
The ARL opens its ARL West adoption center in Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes in West Des Moines, the first of many ARL adoption partner sites in the metro.
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A modern shelter
The ARL opens a modern 43,000-sq-ft shelter at the NE 22nd St. location that includes a 12,000-sq-ft barn. An indoor horse-training arena and a two-story Clowder House for cats are later added.
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Pet behavior and training books
The ARL publishes “For Love of Dogs” and “For Love of Cats,” the first pet behavior and training books authored by an animal shelter.
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Improved animal cruelty laws
Greatly improved companion animal cruelty laws go into effect in Iowa after a 6-year advocacy effort by the ARL and others.
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The largest rescue to date
The ARL removes 500+ dogs from a Wayne County puppy mill in a multi-day operation after the breeder is ordered to surrender them as part of a lawsuit for repeat violations. It is the largest animal rescue in ARL history.
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46 horse rescue
The ARL assists Dallas County authorities in seizing 46 horses from a property, the largest horse rescue in ARL history.
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A new Second Chance Ranch
The ARL purchases a 21-acre ranch at 3296 NE 54th Ave., a mile east of its main campus, and launches a $6 million capital campaign to renovate the new ranch property and convert the previous shelter barn into a Rescue Intake & Rehabilitation Center for pets from large-scale rescues.
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ARL Afford-a-Care Clinics
The ARL purchases two Des Moines veterinary clinics renamed ARL Afford-A-Care South and ARL Afford-A-Care East, to provide expanded options for affordable veterinary care and help prevent pet overpopulation.
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Celebrating 100 years
For a century, you have helped the Animal Rescue League of Iowa be there for pets and the people who love them – in every corner of the state. Now, you can join the journey to transform the future of animal rescue as we look toward the next 100 years of changing lives.
