DES MOINES, Iowa — Since August, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa has made four separate rescues, taking in more than 250 dogs.
These cases have made it tough on the nonprofit animal shelter that's now 40% overcapacity.
"We're really facing a crisis situation with that," said KC Routos, director of development for the ARL of Iowa. "We've seen a tidal wave of dogs come in this year alone."
Currently, the animal shelter cares for 1,400 animals, but they admit they should have around 1,000, a situation Routos calls "not normal."
During these cases, ARL of Iowa has rescued hundreds of animals from hoarding situations and owner surrenders.
In one of these cases, Des Moines Animal Services and police officers responded to reports of a puppy, Margot, who was found emaciated and tied to a doorknob.
Although this wasn't one of the four large rescues ARL has completed, the shelter still took Margot into their care and made sure to get the puppy back to a healthier weight.
On a separate occasion, the ARL rescued a dog who was intentionally dumped from a vehicle on the east side of Des Moines. In a statement, ARL said that "due to the severity of the puppy’s condition, the most compassionate course of action was to humanely end its suffering.”
But the influx of animals to ARL doesn't stop there.
Routos told Local 5 News on Wednesday the animal shelter takes in around 30 pets per day from owners outside of scheduled rescues.
However, since ARL of Iowa currently remains 40% over capacity, they've turned to other options to make sure these animals receive proper care and housing.
"We've really relied on our volunteers and our foster base," Routos said. "We always need more fosters opening up their homes to pets in need, and they've really come in clutch for us this year."
ARL of Iowa still needs help with fostering and volunteering.
"We need the community to step up," Routos said. "Whether it's to adopt, volunteer, foster or donate, we can't do it without them."
If you are unable to do that, the animal shelter says they're always willing to accept take monetary donations, or blankets, pet food and toys.
For a full list of items the shelter will accept as donations, click here.
ARL also always wants to reassure they are here for pet owners who are in need of help as well.
They offer many services, which you can view here, including:
- Veterinarian assistance programs for pet owners struggling to afford those services at full cost.
- Food pantries for owners in financial need to feed their pet.
- Alternative processes to surrender your pet.
- And rabies and distemper vaccines along with microchips.