FAQ:
Q: What do I do if I find a stray animal?
A: In the city of Des Moines, call the Des Moines Police Department dispatch line 24/7 to dispatch an ARL Animal Services Officer during scheduled hours or a police officer during off hours.
If you are able to confine the animal to a garage or other safe area until an Animal Services Officer arrives, that will help to ensure the animal is safely brought back to the shelter. You may also find it more convenient or faster to bring the animal to ARL Animal Services during open hours.
All stray animals that arrive at the ARL are placed on IowaPetAlert.com within 24 hours.
Outside of Des Moines, call your non-emergency police department line.
Q: What do I do if I have lost my pet?
A: Visit our Lost & Found pets page.
Q: Who sets the fees to reclaim an animal?
A: The Des Moines City Council sets the fee structure for all animal service fees. If your pet is spayed/neutered, microchipped, licensed, and rabies vaccinated, you will have the lowest fees possible in the event your animal is ever found "at large".
Q: What are reclaiming fees?
A: Contact ARL Animal Services at (515) 284-6905 to discuss the fees for your specific pet or stop by in person during open hours. Some fees increase each day, so it is important to act quickly to avoid additional fees.
Q: What happens if an animal is not reclaimed?
A: Animals that are not reclaimed within the city's "stray hold time" are then transferred to the ARL to enter our adoption program.
Q: Are there any spay/neuter programs available to residents of Des Moines?
A: The ARL's spay/neuter program has appointments based on a first-come, first-serve basis, please view the page for more information.
Q: Can I get someone to speak to my neighborhood association in Des Moines about animal issues?
A: Email arl@arl-iowa.org to request a presentation.
Q: What should I do about injured wildlife?
A: ARL Animal Services will take injured and sick wildlife calls within the city limits of Des Moines. Call dispatch at (515) 283-4811. Outside of city limits, contact your animal services department first and if unsuccessful, you can try one of our Wildlife Rehabilitation Partners. Please visit our resource library for specific wildlife information.
Q: Do you have microchipping and vaccination services?
A: The ARL offers wellness appointments for owned cats and dogs. Find more information here.
Q: How do I report animal abuse/neglect?
A: Learn more about our Cruelty Intervention program here.
Q: What is ARL Animal Services?
A: ARL Animal Services is a unique public/private relationship between the City of Des Moines and the ARL, operating out of the ARL Animal Services location, which opened in December 2023. This program is funded without governmental assistance or taxpayer dollars. The ARL secures grants and donations to provide free and low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, and other assistance for under-served families in Des Moines.