City of Ames, IA
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No, the City of Ames does not prohibit the keeping of any certain breed of dog. In fact, the City addresses the broader topic of dangerous domestic animals - not just dogs - in order to protect the public from hazards associated with any such animal. In general, a dangerous domestic animal is one that has inflicted serious injury on a person or another animal, poses a potential risk of attacking and inflicting serious injury without provocation, or is owned for the purpose of animal fighting (which is a violation of state law).
The City Animal Control Officer determines, based on reasonable evidence, whether an animal is a dangerous domestic animal. Such evidence may include a verified report of aggression on the part of the animal, whether the animal was provoked, and an expert’s opinion. Under City code, people responsible for the keeping of an animal that is determined to be a dangerous domestic animal must meet several requirements. Such requirements include registering the animal with the Animal Control Officer, providing to the City proof of financial responsibility for injury or damage that might be caused by the animal, having a confinement plan approved by the Animal Control Officer, and meeting other handling requirements the Animal Control Officer has determined are necessary.
With these regulations and requirements, the City of Ames intends to take a fact-based, measured approach to protecting the public from dangerous domestic animals. Rather than making unfounded assumptions about an entire breed of animal, the Animal Control Officer focuses on the actual behavior of a domestic animal to determine whether that particular animal is dangerous. For additional information about requirements and appeal procedures, please refer to the Ames Municipal Code Chapter 3, Division II, Dangerous Domestic Animals. Finally, keep in mind that everyone in Ames has a duty to report an incident in which a domestic animal causes serious injury to a person or another domestic animal within 24 hours of the incident. To report such an incident, call Animal Control at 515-239-5530.I’ve noticed many cats around our neighborhood. It seems as though they’re let out the door and left to roam. Is there a leash law for cats as well as dogs?
Yes, there is a “leash law” for cats. The Ames Municipal Code requires that cats - just like dogs - be restrained by their owners and kept from running at large. It is unlawful for animal owners to allow their pets to roam the neighborhoods and parks. Unless they are on their owners property or that of a neighbor who has given permission, both cats and dogs must be restrained by an appropriate leash.
Violations of the Animals at Large ordinance are municipal infractions punishable by fines of $50. Second and third offenses result in $100 fines, after which additional violations can result in fines as high as $750! In addition, cats and dogs that are roaming at large in Ames are impounded by animal control officers. The first time a cat or dog is impounded, the owner must pay $25.00 for the animal’s release. After the first time, the impound fee is raised to $30.00.
What should you do if you see an animal at large in your yard? Contact the pet’s owner or call the Ames Animal Control office. Do not try to trap a cat or dog unless you have first contacted the Animal Control office and received written permission to use a humane live box trap.
- The City of Ames does not prohibit the keeping of these animals, but we do have regulations providing that any animals be kept in housing that is safe, sanitary, and size appropriate for the type of animal, that they be fed, watered, given appropriate veterinary care and kept reasonably quiet and secure. Please refer to Ames Municipal Code Chapter 3 Section 3.111--Standards of Care where you will find a complete list of standards of care.
- We are always happy to receive any gently used pet items or linens. They may be dropped off any time during our open business hours. Please see our Wish List for some of our other needs.
- NO. We do not have a veterinarian on staff, so we are unable to provide this service. However, a simple search of nearby veterinary clinics will provide you with phone numbers you can call to get quotes for services. There are agencies who provide low-cost spay/neuter services, and some provide additional services as well.
- Please visit our Volunteering page for more information about becoming a volunteer.
In order to better serve our adopters and ensure our animals remain healthy and happy, our animals are available for viewing by adoption appointment only. Adoption appointments are scheduled once an application has been submitted.
Our adoption process is the following:
Step One: Review the available animals
Step Two: If you see someone you are interested in, submit an adoption application (be sure to list their name on the application.)
Step Three: A staff member will review your application and reach out to you by email once it has been approved. If approved, they will schedule you an appointment to come in and meet the animal.
- Simply call the shelter at 515-239-5530, or contact the Animal Control Officers directly at 515-231-1080.
- Every animal's situation is different. Some animals are available to go home immediately, some require a waiting period to recover from an illness or to be spayed/neutered. Some applications take longer to process as well depending on the information provided. Staff can advise you of any potential waiting periods when you formally submit your application. Our goal is always to get animals adopted as quickly as possible while also ensuring the animal is healthy and being placed in the right home.
Puppies & Dogs: $100.00
Kittens & Cats: $100.00
Rabbits: $40.00
Other Small Animals: As determined by staffIf the animal will allow you to approach it, please do so. Check the animal for a collar with a tag. If the animal is only wearing a rabies tag, you can call the clinic who issued the tag and they can attempt to reach the owner with the information they have on file. You can also take the animal to a nearby vet clinic to be scanned for a microchip.
If no identification is located, you may continue to hold on to the animal or bring them to the shelter for safe-keeping. By law, if you choose to keep possession of the animal you post reasonable notice for seven (7) days before the animal can be considered your property. You must also file a found report on our website HERE FOR CATS, HERE FOR DOGS, and HERE FOR OTHER SMALL ANIMALS.
If the animal will not allow you to approach them, please call us at 515-239-5530 to report the sighting so we can relay the information if an owner calls. You can also report the sighting on social media pages to attempt to locate an owner.
- Please visit our Wildlife in Ames page for help with wildlife.
- Licenses for dogs or cats are not required by the city of Ames. Current rabies tags are required. Check with your veterinarian of choice, or call the Ames Animal Shelter at 515-239-5530.
Yes. Please call the shelter at 515-239-5530 for information about surrendering an animal.
My neighbor’s dog barks constantly. Is there a rule against constant disruption of the peace and quiet of a neighborhood?
Yes, Ames Municipal Code section 3.115 prohibits pet owners from allowing their pet from barking, howling, or making such noises for prolonged periods of time to the point that it unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of the area. An owner who allows their pet to be a nuisance can be charged with the violation of this code section. Such a violation is a municipal infraction punishable by a penalty of $50 for the first violation and by a penalty of $100 for every violation thereafter. For additional information about pet-keeping laws here in Ames, you can call the Ames Animal Shelter at 515-239-5530.
- All questions concerning animal control, both domestic and native animals, should be directed to the Ames Animal Control Shelter. The phone number is 515-239-5530 or Ames Animal Control Division.
- Details on our adoption program can be found HERE.
Why doesn't the Ames Animal Shelter take out of city animals in as strays but you take transferred animals from around the state and region?
We are the impound facility for the City of Ames. This means that the cost of care for stray and owner surrendered animals is paid for by Ames taxes. We work with other shelters and coalition partners to transfer in animals on a "space available" program that allows us to manage our own population and not be at risk for over-crowding. This gives overcrowded shelters the opportunity to transfer healthy, adoptable pets that would otherwise be at risk for euthanasia due to lack of space. Bringing in adoptable pets from overcrowded regional shelters not only helps save those animals’ lives, but it meets the local demand for rescued pets. The program is paid for by donations, which eliminates the burden on tax payers for this service.