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Puppies and dogs in Iowa

Looking for a puppy or dog in Iowa? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

A pair of dogs

Adopt a dog in Iowa

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Iowa. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
We'll also keep you updated on Rascal's adoption status with email updates.
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Rascal

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)/Hound (Unknown Type)

Male, Adult
Knoxville, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, House-trained,
Story
Rascal is a 12 year old terrier mix, who is searching for a loving forever home! Rascal tends to be shy at first, it takes a little time for him to warm up to you. Once he knows he can trust you, he doesn't forget you! It seems as though Rascal hasn't had an easy life. If given the chance he could prove to be the perfect companion! Please contact us if you'd like more information about Rascal! Rascal's adoption fee is $175.March 7, 2026, 1:27 am
We'll also keep you updated on Bandit's adoption status with email updates.
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No photo available for Bandit

Bandit

Shih Tzu

Male, 5 yrs
Council Bluffs, IA
Size
(when grown) -
Details
-
Story
 is , born . 6 mo. & under (Puppy) = $465  /  6-12 months (Puppy) = $415  /  1-3 yr (Young) = $400  /  4-6 yr (Adult) = $375  /  (Senior) = $350 Senior: Toy (up to 10 lb) 11-12 yr / Small (10-20 lb) 9-11 yr / Med (21-50 lb) 8-10 yr / Large (51-90 lb) 7-9 yr / Giant (90+ lb) 6-7 yr Welcome to rescue, ----!  He is a parvo survivor and adjusting to his new surroundings at his foster home.  He is a --, born .  He's getting lots of TLC.  Once he is fully recovered, he will be ready for his next chapter!  We'll share updates and more information about --- as we learn more about him! Please Note:  -- came to rescue Parvo+ and won’t be able to go to his furever home until released from the vet as he/she will be “shedding” parvo until then.  We encourage you to apply to adopt so we can start the process now! The suggested adoption donation for _____ is $___, which includes a lifetime of free relationship-based training for any behavioral problems (not obedience training).  Muddy Paws is a 501c3 non-profit organization meaning that part of your donation MAY be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. We are a 100% volunteer rescue committed to giving animals a second chance at life. All donations go toward that mission. Adoption fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. In 2022 alone, we provided animal Healthcare totaling over $399,000 covered mainly through adoption fees. Please Note:  A Courtesy Post designates that an animal is still in the home of its owner and not in a Muddy Paws foster. This means that our exposure to the animal is limited since we are only assisting the owner in finding a new home for their pet. From time to time, owners find a new furever home for their pets outside of Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue and there is a delay in removing them from our site. We apologize if the Courtesy Post you apply to adopt is unavailable for adoption. Before applying to adopt -name-, you need to be familiar with your local breed-specific legislation regarding Pit Bulls. Applicants must live within 50 miles of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.    ******FOR PITBULL OR PITBULL MIXES ONLY Adoptions for -name- are limited to the area within 50 miles of Omaha so that s/he can continue to take advantage of free training from our certified positive reinforcement trainers.      ******FOR REACTIVE/FEARFUL DOGS ONLY Information about the adoption process:  All adoptions require a completed ADOPTION APPLICATION. Once your application has completed our prescreen steps, we will put you in touch with the animal’s foster to see if you and the pet are a good match. If so, we will arrange a meeting for you and the animal. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. Please Note:  We are a RESCUE, which is different from a shelter. We conduct veterinary and personal reference checks, and a Home Visit (Virtual in some cases) during the application approval process. We always select the right applicant for each animal, based on the animal’s needs. If you and the animal are not a good match, we will help you select another animal, or we will keep your approved application on file for 6 months. To learn about Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue or donate to our animals, please visit our website at MuddyPawsSecondChanceRescue.com or our Facebook Page Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue Inc.   If the dog or cat you adopt is older than 6 months of age and not spayed or neutered, you will receive a voucher to alter the pet at Val Verde Animal Hospital in Omaha, at no cost to you.  Or you can alter the pet at your own vet and be reimbursed $100 for dogs, and $50 for cats, of total cost.  If the dog or cat is younger than 6 months of age, adopter will be responsible for the cost of altering the pet at the vet of their choice.  If proof of alter is received by Muddy Paws prior to the pet turning 6 months of age, a reimbursement of $100 for dogs and $50 for cats, will be sent to you to help cover expenses.  [Muddy Paws can also suggest a vet with a reduced cost for alters.]  All puppies and kittens MUST be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.  All dogs and cats MUST be spayed or neutered no later than one month after adoption is finalized.  Thank you in advance for your compliance. ##2676575##
We'll also keep you updated on Scooby's adoption status with email updates.
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Scooby

Plott Hound

Male, Young
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
-
Story
HOW TO ADOPT: This pet is available for adoption by appointment. To schedule a time to meet this pet, please email fosterinquiry@arl-iowa.org.---- Very cuddly and will nap on his foster family's lap any chance he gets; likes to lay his head on their shoulder like he's giving them a hug and adores sleeping in bed with them at night - Hilariously clumsy pup who has a tendency to run into things and may fall over while scratching himself; looks incredibly goofy trying to figure out how to get on the couch - Favorite toys are balls, and he's working on learning how to play fetch; also likes to do zoomies - Favorite treats are whipped cream, chew bones and pup cups - Follows his foster family all over the place like a shadow - Still learning to walk on a leash and is cautiously curious on walks- Has a start on potty training but still has accidents in the house if he's not monitored, so he'll need some help from his new family to get all the way there - Does very well in a crate, even when his foster family is not home - Still a little nervous in the car, but is getting better all the time and is generally quiet - Can be nervous around new people, especially when he's in unfamiliar situations, but he's slowly building confidence the more positive experiences he has - Has done well with school-age children in his foster home and likes to play with them - Absolutely loves the dog in his foster home and will run in the backyard with her and follow her everywhere; did take a little time to learn how to play politely with her, so if he'll have a dog friend at home it may be best to monitor him the first few days while everyone is getting used to each other - May not always want to share his food or people with other dogs, and his foster family is working with him on that - Loves the cats in his foster home; is very curious and tries to entice them to play All adoptable dogs and puppies are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations (rabies and DA2PPV as appropriate for their age)The ARL's shelter software requires that we choose a primary breed for our dogs. Visual breed identification in dogs is unreliable, so for most dogs we are only guessing at primary breed. We get to know each dog as an individual and do our best to describe each of our dogs based on personality, not breed label. Primary Color: Tan Weight: 44 Age: 1yrs 7mths 1wks
We'll also keep you updated on Trixy's adoption status with email updates.
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Trixy

Australian Shepherd

Female, 1 yr
Monticello, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with cats,
Story
-
We'll also keep you updated on Buddy's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Buddy

Buddy

German Shepherd Dog

Male, Adult
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
-
Story
- Prefers to explore and do their own thing here in the shelter, but will likely open up more once they're in a home environment and have had time to decompress - Enjoys spending time with dogs who have a similar play style - Smart boy who knows sitAll adoptable dogs and puppies are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations (rabies and DA2PPV as appropriate for their age)The ARL's shelter software requires that we choose a primary breed for our dogs. Visual breed identification in dogs is unreliable, so for most dogs we are only guessing at primary breed. We get to know each dog as an individual and do our best to describe each of our dogs based on personality, not breed label. Primary Color: Tan Weight: 60 Age: 7yrs 1mths 3wks
We'll also keep you updated on Sassy Wolf's adoption status with email updates.
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Sassy Wolf

German Shorthaired Pointer

Female, Puppy
Sioux City, IA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
-
Story
Meet Sassy Wolf, a bundle of fluff, curiosity, and personality! This sweet little girl may be small right now, but her big puppy eyes and playful spirit will steal your heart in seconds. Sassy Wolf loves to bounce around, chase toys, and explore the world like the tiny adventurer she is. She's affectionate, cuddly, and always ready to curl up for a nap after playtime. Sassy Wolf would thrive in a loving home where she can continue learning, playing, and growing into a loyal best friend. If you're looking for a puppy who will bring laughter, cuddles, and lots of tail wags into your life, Sassy Wolf might be your perfect match. Come meet Sassy Wolf and let her steal your heart!$195.00 Fee includes initial vaccines, worming, microchip with registration, and free vet health exam. This pet has been fed Country Vet Naturals, donated to us by Country Vet. Primary Color: Brown Weight: 16 Age: 0yrs 0mths 9wks

Search for a puppy or dog

Use the search tool below to browse adoptable puppies and adult dogs in Iowa.

Puppies and dogs in Iowa cities

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Shelters & rescues in Iowa

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Iowa. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

New Rattitude - Iowa

Arlington, IA 50606

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Northeast Iowa Pet Rescue

519 Westwood, Strawberry Point, IA 52076

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Cedar Bend Humane Society

1166 W. Airline Highway, Waterloo, IA 50703

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Waverly Pet Rescue

PO Box 291, Waverly, IA 50677

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Better Together Animal Rescue, Inc.

211 West 4th Street, Vinton, IA 52349

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Cedar Valley Greyhound Adoptions, Inc.

7411 Mt. Vernon Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52324

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

PAWS Humane Society

303 Shaw Avenue, Charles City, IA 50616

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary

Marion, IA 52302

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Animal Welfare Friends

22407 Bus Hwy 151, Monticello, IA 52310

Pet Types: cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Looking for a specific shelter or rescue?

For a comprehensive list of all shelters and rescues, try our search page. We have more than 17,000 organizations in our database with furry pals waiting for a new home!

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Looking for a specific breed?

Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Iowa

Popular dog breeds

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akbash Akita Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Cocker Spaniel American Eskimo Dog American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier Anatolian Shepherd Aussiedoodle Australian Cattle Dog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Laekenois Belgian Malinois Belgian Shepherd Belgian Tervuren Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black Mouth Cur Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Blue Lacy/Texas Lacy Bluetick Coonhound Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Carolina Dog Catahoula Leopard Dog Caucasian Shepherd Dog Cavachon Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavapoo Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinook Chiweenie Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cockapoo Cocker Spaniel Collie Coonhound Corgi Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogo Argentino Dogue de Bordeaux Dutch Shepherd English (Redtick) Coonhound English Bulldog English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Shepherd English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Entlebucher Feist Field Spaniel Fila Brasileiro Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Toy) Fox Terrier (Wirehaired) Foxhound French Bulldog German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Goberian Golden Retriever Goldendoodle Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Halden Hound (Haldenstrover) Harrier Havanese Horgi Hovawart Husky Ibizan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Italian Spinone Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Jindo Kai Dog Karelian Bear Dog Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Kishu Komondor Kuvasz Kyi Leo Labradoodle Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen Maltese Maltipoo Manchester Terrier Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Dachshund Miniature Pinscher Morkie Mountain Cur Munsterlander Mutt Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Olde English Bulldogge Otterhound Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Patterdale Terrier (Fell Terrier) Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Pitsky Plott Hound Podengo Portugueso Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Pomsky Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy or Tea Cup) Portuguese Water Dog Presa Canario Pug Puggle Puli Pumi Rat Terrier Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saluki Samoyed Schiller Hound Schipperke Schnauzer (Giant) Schnauzer (Miniature) Schnauzer (Standard) Schnoodle Scottie, Scottish Terrier Scottish Deerhound Sealyham Terrier Shar Pei Sheepadoodle Sheltie, Shetland Sheepdog Sheppit Shepsky Shiba Inu Shih Poo Shih Tzu Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Sloughi St. Bernard Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund Texas Heeler Thai Ridgeback Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Tosa Inu Treeing Walker Coonhound Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier Westie, West Highland White Terrier Wheaten Terrier Whippet Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Xoloitzcuintle/Mexican Hairless Yorkie Poo Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier