Am I required to license my cat or dog?
Yes! Having a license helps us reunite you with your animal if it is lost or stolen, and it helps us keep a safe, rabies-free community. Call the City’s Finance Department at 515-222-3600 or visit our website to get or renew your pet license. You may also get a license at City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway. Please note that a pet license is not the same thing as a rabies tag, dog park tag or microchip.

My pet has gotten loose! What do I do?
Report all missing pets to Neighborhood Services by calling Westcom nonemergency dispatch at 515-222-3321. Please be prepared to provide a location where your pet was lost, a phone number so we can contact you, a description of the animal, whether or not the animal has a collar, tags, or microchip, and any other relevant information that will help us return your pet to you. You also may check with Iowa Pet Alert and local shelters to see if your pet has been found.

My pet has been impounded. What do I do?
To reclaim an animal, you will need to pay an impound fee. You may pay an impound fee online using Xpress Bill Pay or at City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, during normal business hours. Please bring a photo ID and proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination. Once you’ve paid your fee and you have a receipt, you’re ready to reclaim your pet by calling Westcom nonemergency dispatch at 515-222-3321. Just let them know you have your receipt and you’re ready to pick up your animal. When you agree on a pick-up time, go to the City’s Animal Holding Facility located in the old Public Services building at 560 South 16th Street. Follow the signs to the back of the building and someone will be there to reunite you with your pet!

I found a stray dog, cat or other domestic pet. What do I do?
Please call dispatch at 515-222-3321 to arrange for a Neighborhood Services Specialist to pick up the animal. If Neighborhood Services is not on duty, a Police Officer will be dispatched. You also may take the animal to the City’s Animal Holding Facility at 560 South 16th Street, but call dispatch first to let them know you want to bring a stray animal to the holding facility. Once you agree on a time, a Neighborhood Services Specialist or Police Officer will meet you at that facility to impound the animal.

What happens to stray pets that aren’t reclaimed by an owner?
Animals are held for four or seven days depending on whether there are signs of ownership (such as a microchip, collar or tags). Any animal unclaimed after those time frames will be transferred to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue to be made available for adoption. Visit AHeinz57 to see what animals they currently have for adoption.

How many cats and dogs can I have?
Any combination of four (4) cats or dogs of any size and breed over the age of six (6) months may be present at a single residence. Different rules may apply for apartments, homeowner’s associations and similar properties.

Does the City have any restrictions on dog breeds?
The City of West Des Moines has no breed restrictions on any kind of dog, including pit bull mixes and bully breeds. Apartment complexes, homeowner’s associations, and similar properties may have their own restrictions on breeds and sizes. Check with your landlord to see if any restrictions apply.

Are there animals I can’t own in the City?
Yes. Chickens, ducks, and other farm animals such as goats and horses are not allowed within City limits without proper zoning. Residences typically are not zoned for these operations. Please call Development Services for more information at 515-222-3620.

West Des Moines also prohibits the ownership of “dangerous animals,” as defined within the West Des Moines City Code. This includes wolves, coyotes, apes, monkeys, black widow spiders, scorpions, venomous and poisonous snakes, all wild cats (any cat other than the domestic house cat, Felis catus), raccoons, skunks, and opossums. Please see the City Code for a comprehensive list, or call our Neighborhood Services office at 515-222-3364 with questions.

I’ve found an injured animal. What do I do?
If this happens within regular Neighborhood Services business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), please call Westcom nonemergency dispatch. If you have found a critically injured dog or cat after hours, please consult with the 24/7 emergency vets in the area, including Blue Pearl Pet Hospital or Iowa Veterinary Specialties.

If you have discovered injured wildlife, do not attempt to handle it. If Neighborhood Services staff are unavailable to help with injured wildlife, visit www.iowadnr.gov and search for wildlife rehabilitator. For injured birds, please contact Iowa Bird Rehabilitation at 415-596-1147. You also may contact the Police Department by calling dispatch if Neighborhood Services is unavailable.

I’ve been scratched/bitten by an animal. What do I do?
If possible, try to contain any animal that has bitten or scratched you, including wild animals. If you require immediate medical attention, dial 911. Otherwise, call dispatch as soon as possible to report all animal bites. If the animal is an 'owned' cat or dog, please attempt to provide an address where the animal can be located. Any animal that has bitten or scratched will be subject to quarantine procedures as outlined in the West Des Moines City Code. Consult with a physician for further health concerns.

I’d like to salvage a deer that was hit by a car.
Please call dispatch to arrange for a salvage tag to be issued. It is in violation of state law to salvage a deceased deer or any part of a deceased deer without an appropriate tag. You will be subject to penalties and fines if you violate this law.

I need to trap an animal. What should I do?
Neighborhood Services will provide live traps to citizens who want to trap for stray cats. We will not provide a trap for wild animals and we do not relocate wildlife. Relocation of wildlife is not encouraged by the Iowa DNR because it can spread disease and displaces animals from their home territory. You can purchase your own traps from any major hardware store, but you must abide by all Iowa laws as it pertains to furbearing animals. You also may contact a state-licensed nuisance wildlife control operator. Call our office at 515-222-3364 and we can advise you about other humane deterrents.

Where can I find the City Code and ordinances relating to animals?
View the animal control chapter of the City Code on our website by clicking on City Code in the upper right-hand corner of the main page and searching for ‘animal control.’