DES MOINES, Iowa — The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has officially begun construction on its new Rescue Intake & Rehabilitation Center, a purpose-built facility designed to strengthen the state’s frontline response to animal cruelty, neglect, and large-scale rescue operations. In an announcement last week, the organization described the future building as “Iowa’s only dedicated space for housing and recovery for animals rescued from cruelty and neglect situations.”
The project marks the second phase of the ARL’s broader expansion initiative, aimed at increasing its capacity to manage both sudden emergency cases and ongoing welfare investigations that often stretch the organization’s resources. According to the ARL, the enhanced space will allow staff to more efficiently evaluate, stabilize, and rehabilitate vulnerable animals.
Plans for the new center include a fully equipped medical intake area, an upgraded HVAC system to support disease control and proper ventilation, and eight dedicated behavioral support rooms for animals requiring individualized care. The design also incorporates two outdoor play yards that, the ARL says, “will provide enrichment for dogs who may need more time in the ARL’s care.” The organization estimates the cost of this construction phase at $1 million.
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The need for increased capacity has grown significantly in recent years. According to the ARL, nearly 1,000 animals have already been rescued across Iowa in 2025 alone. Over the summer, the organization handled a surge in emergency calls, taking in 162 animals over a 12-day period. In September, ARL teams assisted with the removal of 111 dogs from a property in rural Plymouth County, one of the largest rescue efforts of the year. And just last month, staff responded to a southern Iowa home where 37 cats and dogs were found in unsafe conditions.
The new Rescue Intake & Rehabilitation Center is intended to streamline these responses by centralizing critical services and separating high-needs animals from the general population, thereby reducing stress, improving outcomes, and speeding up the rehabilitation process. ARL leaders say the facility will also strengthen partnerships with law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, and other animal welfare organizations across the state.
With construction underway, the ARL expects this phase of the expansion to move quickly. Once complete, the center will play a key role in supporting neglected and abused animals through their recovery journey—from initial intake and medical treatment to behavioral stabilization and, ultimately, adoption.
Originally reported by Mack Swenson in We Are Iowa.
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