The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is contracted by multiple municipalities to provide animal control services and housing for stray animals.
In Des Moines, the ARL is contracted to operate the city's animal services program. This program is a partnership with the Des Moines Police Department and a member of their department serves as Chief Humane Officer. The ARL currently operates out of the city's animal services facility and the program is supervised by an ARL Animal Services Manager. That position employs all of the Animal Services Officers (ASOs), animal care staff, and medical staff, including a city veterinarian as defined in the city ordinance.
Through this partnership, the citizens of Des Moines and their animals benefit because through grants and donations, the ARL as an organization is able to offer programs and services that would not be offered by a strictly tax-funded animal services program. Some of these include:
- Community outreach/education to owners vs. strictly enforcement to change owner behaviors and improve the quality of life for pets.
- Free and low-cost spay/neuter services for the pets of qualified, low-income owners to reduce the overpopulation of pets.
- Low-cost microchipping services to ensure pets are quickly reunited with their owners.
- Adoptions of strays who have not been reclaimed, through the ARL's vibrant adoption program.
- Free dog houses, collars, tags, and more to people who cannot afford them, improving their pet's quality of life and ensuring they can be quickly reunited if lost.