Interested in adopting a dog? You’re starting the process right by researching the best dog rescues in Des Moines, IA.
Opting to welcome a rescued dog comes with many positive impacts on the whole community.
First, you’re giving the pooch a new opportunity to live life, second, you’re paving the way for a new rescue to enter a shelter, and third, you’re letting more dog lives be saved from abusive owners and homelessness.
If you live in Des Moines, IA, here’s a comprehensive list of adoption places where you can get your Fido.
10 Best Dog Rescues in Des Moines, IA
1. Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. has always been there for the sake of all unwanted dogs since 1926. Their mission has helped over a million pets, and some have successfully found their furever homes through this group.
Lots of canines in their care either need a dry and warm blanket to sleep on, food and love, while others have needs that go beyond those. Every pooch has a story to tell; some of them have unfortunately been heartbroken.
Be another miracle for one of the dogs they house. Help them increase the statistics of those rescued, adopted, and provided with medical care.
On another note, you won’t just find dogs here. The ARL also has cats, small animals, and barn pets which might interest you. Another way you can help is either by donating or purchasing your pet supplies here. The profit goes directly to the welfare of their rescues.
How to contact them:
Website: Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
Address: 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: 515-262-9503
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
2. Animal Lifeline
If you have the heart for dog rescues with special needs, the Animal Lifeline is your number one spot to visit in Des Moines, Iowa. They’re the refuge of all animals that are either injured, handicapped, or have severe medical conditions.
Presently, their rescue mission covers the Des Moines area and the entirety of Iowa state. They’re also celebrating nearly 35 years of hard work in enhancing animal lives.
As a no-kill shelter, Animal Lifeline gives high regard to every animal under their care. They continuously provide a traditional loving shelter and care until they are adopted into responsible homes.
Consider donating today to get them to help more dogs and even cats.
How to contact them:
Website: Animal Lifeline
Address: 4521 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa
Phone: 515-285-7387
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
3. Hope Animal Rescue
Believe it or not, dogs can only bark; you can see in some of their eyes that they’ve already given up hope. It’s hard to imagine how much abuse some of the Fidos have experienced with their previous owners.
Hence, Hope Animal Rescue shines as their beacon of hope. As a non-profit organization, they can only do so much. But, with the help of the community, there’ll come a day when no more dogs are found in the streets or secluded and abandoned areas.
The dog rescues are also foster-based as a preparation for them getting adopted in the future. Help volunteers go a long way with their noble acts of kindness toward animals through your donations.
Ditch the thought of getting a puppy from the breeder, too, as you’re welcome to adopt any suitable dog they have.
How to contact them:
Website: Hope Animal Rescue
Address: PO Box 31222, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
4. Furry Friends Refuge
Furry Friends Refuge is another extraordinary dog rescue that serves West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, and Windsor Heights. This non-profit organization is the first to create a no-kill community in the Des Moines Metro Area.
They offer several activities and services that could benefit any dog in need. Community outreaches, humane education, and spay/neuter services are some of the things they regularly do. They also encourage the public to consider adopting their adorable dogs.
You’ll see Rottweilers, Pitbull-type dogs, and puppies here. Letting a pooch or two in your home means supporting this compassionate organization in their work which is to save more lives.
How to contact them:
Website: Furry Friends Refuge
Address: 3505 Mills civic, West Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa
Phone: 515-222-0009
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
5. Hounds Haven Basset Rescue of Iowa Inc.
Hounds Haven Basset Rescue is Iowa’s only state-licensed, breed-specific, and foster-based rescue. If you gravitate toward the Basset Hound breed due to their gentle nature and kind face, then head directly to this place.
Since the animals under their care are fostered, it’s best to contact the group if you want to visit and see their available dogs or scan through the available dog profiles they’ve set up on their web page.
To ensure that it isn’t just the adoption process that becomes successful, HHBR also commits itself to find your right match. If none fit your preferences, they’ll suggest other Basset Hound mixes or refer you to other shelters.
How to contact them:
Website: Hounds Haven Basset Rescue of Iowa Inc.
Address: 1975 S 40th Court West Des Moines, IA
Phone: 515-531-0130
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
6. Rescue Rehab Rehome
Just as it’s named, Rescue Rehab Rehome does all three necessary steps to get the dog rescues placed in loving homes ultimately. They also take in helpless cats and abandoned litters that need special care and regular milk feeding.
As a central Iowa rescue group, they dedicate their time to rescuing dogs of all ages and breeds regardless of how complex their situations are. Rehabilitation follows after when they’re medically treated, so they’re fully equipped and ready at any time to be adopted.
Rehoming is the final step and is often not the easiest. RRR makes sure that every animal is carefully assessed and matched according to the lifestyle and preferences of a prospective adopter.
Visit the page to adopt or make a donation today so they can further their mission. Foster applications are welcome as well if your home has a temporary room for a rescued dog.
How to contact them:
Website: Rescue Rehab Rehome
Address: 4520 95th St Urbandale, IA
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
7. Heartland Greyhound Adoption
For the sake of all retired Racing Greyhounds, Heartland Greyhound Adoption has been established. They serve Central Iowa and are seeking suitable homes that are in search of a great Greyhound pet.
Aside from getting these super runners placed, the HGA also educates the public about retired racing Greyhounds through outreach projects. This way, there’ll be fewer Greyhounds found to be in need in the future.
Nonetheless, those under their care are provided with the best care. They’re thoroughly supplied with their basic needs, required medical treatments, and love and respect. If Greyhounds are your favorite, consider checking out HGA’s adoptables.
How to contact them:
Website: Heartland Greyhound Adoption
Address: Po Box 342, Bondurant, IA 50035
Phone: 515-967-6564
Email: [email protected]
8. Safe Paws Iowa Rescue, Inc.
Safe Paws is located in Boone, which is a city in Des Moines Township. They’re the refuge of both dogs and cats that are at risk of facing euthanasia. Every Fido they welcome is thoroughly assessed medically and behaviorally so they become fit for adoption.
It’s also needed that they’re up-to-date with their vaccinations and that all of them are sterilized to help solve pet overpopulation.
There are many avenues where you can help as an animal or dog lover; you either foster, donate or ultimately adopt a dog. They also have various events in which you can participate, so take note of their dates and locations.
Safe Paws is one of the remarkable organizations the community needs to save the animals that have expiration dates. Around 100,000 pets are killed each year, and it’s time to rescue those in line now!
How to contact them:
Website: Safe Paws Iowa Rescue, Inc.
Address: 1015 5th St Boone, IA
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
9. Boone Area Humane Society
Boone Area Humane Society is a non-profit organization established for the welfare of animals. They promote the no-kill principles believing each pet deserves to live, rehabilitated, and rehomed.
The group and its volunteers have been working to promote the humane treatment of these companionable pets since 1977. Check their list of adoptable dogs if you’re looking for a new family addition.
However, if you’re not yet ready to adopt, fostering is also a path you can take. Whether it be 2 weeks or so or caring for a dog, that’s enough to bring hope to the Fidos in BAHS. To further your support, you can also purchase items from Amazon through their website.
All will proceed to the expenses of every pooch under their care.
How to contact them:
Website: Boone Area Humane Society
Address: 228 W 16th St, Boone, IA, United States, Iowa
Phone: 515-432-6112
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
10. AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport Inc
The last on the list is AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport Inc. They’re located in De Soto, which is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.
There are two things they primarily do to save the dogs in need. Either they offer transportation for dogs to be transferred from traditional shelters to the no-kill ones or pull out those at risk of getting euthanized.
This is an organization that commits to finding each dog their furever home. Fun fact, this started when Amazing Grace, a dog found along the highway, got rescued by Amy Heinz.
Donate, volunteer, and adopt. These are what you can do to become part of the solution.
How to contact them:
Website: AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport Inc
Address: 4000 Ash Street | De Soto, IA 50069
Phone: 515-834-1157
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
How Much Would It Cost to Adopt a Dog in Des Moines, IA?
The usual cost to adopt a dog in Des Moines, IA, ranges from $60 to $450. The fee will then vary if the dog you’re planning to go home with is bonded or not. Bonded dogs mean they have a significant relationship with each other and must be both adopted.
Another factor in the adoption cost is age. Puppies are on a more significant fee as they need several costly vet treatments. This includes spaying or neutering, preventative treatments, vaccinations, and microchipping.
On the other hand, the older the dog is, the more affordable they become. Senior dogs and those with special needs may come at a low cost, but they require special care, so make sure that whatever the age of your Fido is, you’re fully responsible for providing for their needs.
Is It Worth Adopting a Dog Rescue From Des Moines, IA?
It’s worth adopting a dog Rescue from Des Moines, IA. This is because if everyone focused on providing forever homes to the dogs that come from rescue centers in their area, the number of the total dog population that are waiting to be adopted would reduce dramatically.
According to Dr. Kim Langholz, there’s pet overpopulation because a lot of dogs and cats are born more than babies.
If we strive together to opt for adoption rather than fuel breeders to breed more dogs, this societal problem will no longer continue, especially in Iowa.
