Animal Control

What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog or Cat

If you encounter a stray dog or cat in Indianola: 

1. Post on social media: The City encourages residents to post a photo or description of the animal in local Facebook groups to help identify the owner.
2. Safely contain the animal, if possible: If you are able to safely secure the animal, attempt to locate the owner.
3. If the owner cannot be located:
   1. The animal may be released, or
   2. The animal may be taken to ARL.

These steps often result in quicker reunification and reduce the need for police involvement. 

When to Contact IPD

Please contact IPD if: 

1. The animal is aggressive or has bitten someone.
2. The animal cannot be safely contained.
3. The animal continues to linger after reasonable attempts to locate the owner.
4. There is an immediate public safety concern.

Aggressive or Bite Animals

For animals involved in aggressive behavior or bite incidents: 

1. Call IPD at 515-961-9400.
2. IPD responds, enforces applicable laws and attempts to locate the owner.
3. The animal is delivered to ARL by the owner or IPD.

Bite Animal Quarantine

• Bite animals are quarantined at ARL for 10 days.
• ARL monitors the animal for rabies or other infectious diseases.
• Release or euthanasia occurs only as directed by the City.

Reclaimed Outcomes:

If an animal is reclaimed: 

• Owner pays all applicable ARL fees.
• Proof of rabies vaccination is required, or vaccination is administered at owner’s expense.

If an animal is not reclaimed: 

• Ownership transfers to ARL.
• City pays applicable fees.

Holding Period & Ownership Transfer

Animals delivered to ARL are held for a minimum of seven days, or longer if required by law. During this time, ARL actively attempts to identify and notify the owner. 

If the holding period expires without reclaim: 

• Ownership automatically transfers to ARL.
• TheCity pays a $226 fee – equivalent to seven days of boarding at ARL.

Aggressive or bite animals are excluded from automatic transfer rules. 

Fees & Financial Responsibility

Animal sheltering and related services provided by ARL involve specific fees, depending on the situation and whether an animal is reclaimed by its owner. 

General Responsibility

All fees not paid by the City are the responsibility of the animal’s owner. When an owner reclaims an animal, ARL collects applicable fees directly from the owner before release. 

Additionally, City fines, citations or penalties related to animal control are separate from ARL fees. 

Boarding (Shelter) Fees: Dogs & Cats

Boarding fees help offset the cost of sheltering, care and medical services provided by ARL. 

• $85: First day (first 24-hour period, charged automatically upon arrival at ARL.)
• $23.50: Each additional day (per 24-hour period.)

Littermates

Under 6 weeks of age and no mother present 

• $226: Total for the litter and charged upon arrival at ARL.
  Unweaned offspring housed with their mother are not charged additional boarding fees.

Holding Period Fees for Non-Reclaimed Animals

Animals are held at ARL for a minimum of seven days, unless a longer period is required by law. If an animal is not reclaimed after the holding period: 

• $226: The City is charged for the holding of the non-reclaimed animal.
• Ownership automatically transfers to ARL (except for aggressive or bite animals).

Bite Animal Quarantine Fee

• $300: Per animal for a 10-day bite quarantine.
• Applies when an animal has bitten a human and punctured the skin.
• Bite animals are quarantined and released or euthanized only as directed by the City.

Rabies Vaccination Fee

• $20: Per animal.
• Required upon reclaim if the owner cannot provide a current and valid rabies vaccination certificate.