Central Iowa pet owners will soon have access to more affordable veterinary care. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is opening two low-cost clinics in Des Moines, aiming to reduce the financial burden of pet ownership and decrease the number of animals surrendered to shelters.
The clinics, branded ARL Afford-a-Care, are located in the central and southern areas of Des Moines. They will provide essential services like spaying and neutering, as well as surgeries and other operations, though they will not offer emergency care.
“One of the major reasons that animals are surrendered to the Animal Rescue League and other shelters and rescues is because of a lack of affordable veterinary care access,” explained Tom Colvin, CEO of ARL.
The clinics are open to all pet owners, regardless of income. ARL also intends to partner with veterinary colleges and veterinary technician programs to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.
“This may very easily be something that we could partner with them to send students to learn what it is like in a real-life situation of working within a veterinary clinic,” Colvin said.
The two clinic buildings were purchased last year thanks to a $1 million donation. Previously, the locations housed low-income veterinary clinics before the prior owner’s retirement.
ARL plans for the centers to be self-sustaining, with any generated profits directed toward other ARL programs currently facing funding shortages.
