Henry the one-eyed turkey stands just inside the pasture gate, proud and handsome with his white feathers fanned in display. He may look regal, but he also appreciates a rub of his gnarly red head. At 3 years old, Henry is a senior citizen: most turkeys raised in Iowa and elsewhere spend the first 20 […]
animal shelter
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 […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Meet Lefty, the three-legged dog that became a Des Moines icon
Whether or not you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably seen a post or two from your fluff-loving friends on #NationalDogDay and #NationalPetDay. But you may not have heard of Specially-Abled Pets Day. The holiday, which is on May 3 every year, was founded in 2006 to encourage adoption of specially-abled animals from shelters. Des Moines […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Invasive species, meet your match: Goats clean trails and charm residents in Clive
Dealing with invasive species is an issue that Iowa parks and recreation departments are all too familiar with, but the City of Clive is engaging in a clever approach to rid the Greenbelt Trail of pesky plants: goats. The Greenbelt Goats were introduced to the city in late 2019 to help minimize garlic mustard and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
When Iowa City searched for Pearl
Since mid-January, much of the east side of Iowa City has actively worked to save the life of Pearl, a black lab mix who has been on the loose amidst one of the snowiest, coldest winters in recent memory. Pearl was a feral dog who was captured (with her litter of pups) and eventually adopted […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Animal Center encourages donations to their pet food pantry
As the community copes with unemployment, social distancing and mixed messages from federal, state and local leaders, even those less at risk of contracting COVID-19 are seeing their worlds shift — from kids to pets. While some pets may be relishing the extra couch time with their housebound humans, a stretched budget can affect all members of the family.
Posted inCommunity/News
Make it a meowy Christmas and a happy howliday for animals at the Iowa City shelter
Reindeer are better than people, and so are cats and dogs. And in the season of giving, they deserve to be rewarded for it. Once again, the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center is inviting the public to meet their residents and shower them with gifts at the Holiday with the Hounds open house, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday. Free snacks
Posted inCommunity/News
Adopt or shop: The specter of puppy mills looms over local debates about pet stores
How does a dog become a pet? The ways in which an owner may meet their new best friend are as varied as dog breeds, ranging from a meticulous, months-long quest to claim a corgi from a rescue organization states away, to a neighbor casually asking if you want to pick a pup from their mutt’s latest litter. But debates around dog ownership
Posted inCommunity/News
Adoptable Pets of the Week: Didi and Celeste, bunnies about town
For two months, psychologist Tracy Ksiazak has been taking Iowa City shelter rabbits to her office for the Bunny’s Day Out program. “It’s an ideal place to offer shelter bunnies a chance to meet friendly people [and] take ‘hop-abouts’ for exercise.”
Posted inCommunity/News
From toys to emergency surgeries, Friends of the Animal Center Foundation fills in funding gaps to help shelter pets
Pinky, Tarzan and Dray took over the boardroom at the South Riverside office of the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) in late October. “Having kittens in my office is not crazy for me,” said Christina Kimerle, FACF executive director. “I lived with tigers for a little bit.”
Posted inArts & Entertainment
PAWS for Love Silent Auction and Gala funds vet care and equipment for Cedar Rapids shelter animals
Saturday marks the seventh annual PAWS for Love event, which raised $20,000 last year from 250 ticket sales and 150 auction items. CRACC Program Director Diane Webber expects even more guests this year to bid on 180 items.
