After 40 years as a mental health counselor, Mary Jankowski wanted to do something different, but wasn’t sure what. Then she saw an article about a cat cafe and thought it looked fun. So she partnered with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and, in the summer of 2020, opened Coffee Cats, the first cat […]
Animal Rescue League
Posted inCommunity/News
Peak Iowa: Getting his Phill of freedom
In the summer of 1820, as he led an army expedition across the territory that became Iowa, Capt. Stephen Kearney spotted “a large drove of Buffaloe … probably 5 thousand.” Of course, the animals weren’t buffalo. The big, shaggy beasts were bison. It doesn’t feel quite so pedantic to make that distinction now that Iowans […]
Posted inCommunity/News
ARL holds a pet adoption special, asks for hot dogs, canned pumpkin, whipped cream and more as shelters remain crowded
Last week, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) asked for the public’s help because of a “severe space challenge” caused by a surge in dogs and cats arriving at its shelters. Over the weekend, it offered a special discount rate on adoptions of all dogs and cats six months or older, and 135 pets […]
Posted inCommunity/News
There’s an ‘urgent need’ for more people to adopt and foster dogs and cats as ARL faces ‘severe space challenges’
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is “facing severe space challenges” as it cares for an exceptionally large number of dogs and cats, the nonprofit animal care organization said in a news release on Thursday. The ARL, which has provided all of the City of Des Moines’ shelter services since 2005, is currently caring […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Animal Rescue League of Iowa is looking for adopters, foster families and donations as it deals with a surge in puppies
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is asking for help as it deals with a sudden boom in the number of puppies it is caring for. The 98-year-old nonprofit said in a news release on Thursday that it currently has “130+ more puppies than we did at this time last year.” “The surge is […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Animal Rescue League, Iowa’s largest nonprofit shelter, puts rescue pets front and center
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is as much a part of life in Polk County as the Des Moines Water Works. It’s served the Des Moines metro community since 1926, growing into the largest nonprofit animal shelter in the state. ARL has provided all of the City of Des Moines’ shelter services since […]
