Animal Shelters in Des Moines

Article by Ariana Aponte and Paige Finney

Across the Des Moines Metro, Furry Friends Refuge and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) are two very important animal shelters that accommodate everything from house pets to barn animals. These shelters do so all while promoting animal welfare in their programs. 

Furry Friends Refuge, located on Mills Civic Parkway, is an animal shelter that houses cats, dogs and smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits. The modern design of the shelter and the themed cat rooms make the shelter seem warm and inviting. The cat rooms are a big staple in the shelter. Each room is themed from candy to winery to video game-themed. This facility can hold up to approximately 200 animals and Furry Friends currently houses a little more than 100. One of Furry Friends’ Animal Caretakers, Kelly Vick said, “I love being here because it makes me feel good to help animals in need…I know they’re safe and loved here and taken care of.” Furry Friends’ goal is to take in any animal that comes to their shelter whether healthy or diseased. 

Although this facility is smaller than most animal shelters, Furry Friends Refuge still has a large open space for cats and dogs to stretch their legs. Located a few miles away from the Mills Civic building is their complete medical clinic, where a majority of their spay and neuter surgeries occur. 

Those who want to get involved at Furry Friends Refuge can choose to help foster a pet, maintain the cat rooms and socialize with the animals. “[Our volunteers] love to take the dogs out for a drive or go and get a Pup Cup,” explained Vick. If fostering or volunteering is not an option, volunteers can also choose to donate money or pet supplies like food, toys, and medicine. 

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is located in Des Moines, north of downtown, and consists of multiple buildings each with a different purpose. The main building is where animal care, spay and neutering, surrenders, and intake happens. A large number of their animals are housed and adopted there as well. There is also a building called the Clowder House, for long-term cats, and the Second Chance Ranch for their larger animals including horses, pigs, geese, chickens, and more. The facility will never turn any animal away whether they are on property or in one of their foster homes. Amanda Nuzum, the Director of Development and Communications at the ARL stated, “Here at the ARL, every single animal that comes in here is an individual we don’t group animals together based on breed or behavioral issues. We really do look at every single animal as an individual and assess what their needs are going to be and do the best thing in our power to make sure that that individual animal is in the safest environment.”

The Animal Rescue League has become a one-stop-shop for all pet needs. Whether an animal comes into the facility completely healthy or diseased, the ARL will accept them and help them to the very best of their abilities. The ARL website stated, “[Our mission statement is] To promote animal welfare, strengthen the human-animal bond, and prevent the overpopulation of pets.” Services include but are not limited to spay and neutering, pet behavior training, humane education, animal cruelty intervention, and of course pet adoption. Another unique service they offer is called TNR which stands for trap, neuter, return. Within this program, the ARL has a partnership with the city of Des Moines. This is a big example of how they pursue the overpopulation portion of their mission statement.

There are many different volunteering options within the ARL. Customer Service Supervisor at the ARL, Brian Madison, said, “We have an array of opportunities, it is all done through our website, you sign up, do an orientation. Anything from kennel cleaning, to adoption counselor, to administrative work, retail store, events, we have a huge need for volunteers.” 

Ava Hakala, a sophomore at Northwest, remembered one of her favorite experiences. Hakala shared, “On one of the adoption days, I was taking a puppy that was 5 months old back in [to the ARL], and immediately after we got inside someone [said] yeah, we are adopting him.” She was so excited to see the puppy find a good home so quickly.

Meet Willow, she is a five-year-old Vietnamese potbelly pig who spends her days cuddled up in blankets in the barn and on the lookout for Cheerios. Many employees and volunteers adore how Willow brightens up their day at the shelter. Carrie Spain, the Second Chance Ranch Coordinator, created a fort for Willow to get comfy and slumber in within the barn. She is smart and cuddly and would love to have a permanent loving home and owner.