Animal Rescue League of Iowa

Is this your organization? Claim this shelter profile

Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter.

Hours Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (main NE 22nd St location; other ARL locations keep separate hours).

Areas served Des Moines metro and statewide Iowa (multiple locations: ARL Main, ARL Animal Services, ARL West, and Second Chance Ranch)

Adopting

Fees, requirements & process

Fees vary by animal and are not published as a fixed schedule. Cat adoption fees include a feline leukemia test, a general physical exam, spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, deworming, a microchip, free behavior advice, dental work if needed, and 10 percent off the ARL Animal House store for the life of the pet.

How it works

See arl-iowa.org/adopt/adoption-info/adoption-process/ for the full process and current fees

Location

Find Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The area

Polk County at a glance

Population 503,175

Housing units 218,486

Est. households with a cat 65,920

Estimated by applying the AVMA's 2024 national cat-ownership rate (32.1% of households) to the county's real household count from the Census Bureau. It is a national rate applied locally, not a local survey. Population and housing figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the cat adoption fee?

A feline leukemia test, general physical exam, spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, deworming, a microchip, free behavior advice, dental work if needed, and 10% off the ARL Animal House store for life.

Get involved

Support Animal Rescue League of Iowa

Surrendering a cat

Surrender information at arl-iowa.org/pet-services/help/surrender-your-pet/

Donate Become a foster