Ask CITYVIEW

What are Polk County’s dog ordinances?

In Polk County, dog owners are required to annually obtain a dog license for any dog more than 4 months old. According to the ordinance, the license needs to be obtained no later than the first business day of January of each year or within 30 days after the date the owner acquires possession of the dog, the date the dog is permanently transferred to Polk County from another city or county that licenses dogs, or the date the dog reaches the age of 3 months. 

The ordinance also states that no person shall abandon any dog in Polk County or cause any dog to be at large. The county or its designee may impound any dog found to be without an attached license or found at large. All dogs found without a license, collar engraving, microchip or similar owner identification shall be kept for no less than seven days after being impounded unless retrieved by the owner. When those seven days are over, the dog is deemed abandoned and may be transferred to a new owner or “humanely destroyed.” 

Licensed dogs may be retrieved after they have been impounded upon payment of $35, plus the cost of food and care, vaccines administered and any additional expenses incurred in locating or notifying the owner. For unlicensed dogs, if the animal is impounded a second time within the same year, the fee increases to $60, and a third time to $80.

Who handles animal control in Des Moines?

Animal control in Des Moines is handled by the Animal Rescue League (ARL). According to their website, “The Animal Rescue League Animal Services is a division of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa that is contracted by the City of Des Moines to provide animal control services for all neighborhoods within city limits.” 

If I lost my pet, where should I look?

According to ARL, “If a pet is found and brought in by a citizen or an Animal Services officer, the pet will be held at the lost pet facility that is assigned to the city the pet was found in. Be prepared to describe your pet and provide a photo, proof of ownership and vaccine history.”

For Des Moines, contact ARL Animal Services at 1441 Harriet St. The 24-hour dispatch number is 515-283-4811. For general Polk County inquiries, contact ARL Main at 5452 N.E. 22nd St. in Des Moines or call 515-262-9503.