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Puppies and dogs in Ames, Iowa

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

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Adopt a dog in Ames, Iowa

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Ames, 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 SABATON's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of SABATON

SABATON

American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, 8 mos
Ames, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
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We'll also keep you updated on NACHO's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of NACHO

NACHO

American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, 6 yrs 5 mos
Ames, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Nacho and Taco are siblings. We do not require (or recommend they should) be adopted together. But they do love to play together! If both sets of owners are interested, we are happy to share contact information between the families so you can make connections for play dates or other meet ups!My name is Nacho and I am a black & white pit bull/mix. I am a neutered male and I am 6 years and 5 months old. I am here because I was given up by my owner on 12/15/2025 because my owner could not take care of me anymore. I am potty trained. I am a high energy dog and I will need an owner with some prior pet owning experience. I am still learning to walk nicely on a leash. There are lots of things you can do to get me to walk comfortably and safely on a leash. The staff can tell you all about it! I would do well with simple obedience training to help us bond and for us to learn how to communicate with each other. I would like a standard height fence to help keep me inside the yard. I can be good with men and women. I seem nervous around children, so shelter staff will NOT place me in a home with children. I have not been tested with other dogs at the shelter besides my sister, Taco. The shelter staff have not tested me with cats, but recommend against me living with cats based on my lack of experience around cats.
We'll also keep you updated on TACO's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of TACO

TACO

American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, 6 yrs 5 mos
Ames, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Nacho and Taco are siblings. We do not require (or recommend they should) be adopted together. But they do love to play together! If both sets of owners are interested, we are happy to share contact information between the families so you can make connections for play dates or other meet ups!My name is Taco and I am a black & white pit bull/mix. I am a spayed female and I am 6 years and 5 months old. I am here because I was given up by my owner on 12/15/2025 because my owner could not take care of me anymore. I am potty trained. I am a high energy dog and I will need an owner with some prior pet owning experience. I am still learning to walk nicely on a leash. There are lots of things you can do to get me to walk comfortably and safely on a leash. The staff can tell you all about it! I would do well with simple obedience training to help us bond and for us to learn how to communicate with each other. I would like a standard height fence to help keep me inside the yard. I can be good with men, women, and children. I have not been tested with other dogs at the shelter besides my brother, Nacho. The shelter staff have not tested me with cats, but recommend against me living with cats based on my lack of experience around cats.
We'll also keep you updated on ZINGER's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of ZINGER

ZINGER

German Shepherd Dog

Male, 1 yr
Ames, IA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
-
We'll also keep you updated on Nora's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Nora

Nora

Hound (Unknown Type)

Female, Young
Gilbert, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
We were told that Nora is about 3 but I am expecting a bit younger. Shots are up to date till April of 2026. She is scheduled to get a distemper shot on Jan 2 2026. Nora is very well behaved at our home. She was excepted into our pack of 3 dogs and 2 cats in less then 24 hours. She is submissive to other animals. She is on a scheduled feeding and does not seem to have any food aggression issues. She uses a slow feeder here. We have not had any potty accidents. She stands at the door when she wants to go outside. I took her backpacking with me and was able to teach her off leash once we were in the woods at camp. She loves other animals and people of any size. She did amazing with my under 2 yr old niece. She knows her basic manners but needs more training for everything else. She is medium energy but seems to have no problems being calm inside. Cuddles and has adorable “puppy eyes”.Best suited for a single dog family but would do well with others. Plays either toys and fetch.
We'll also keep you updated on Suki's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Suki

Suki

English Bulldog

Female, Adult
Nevada, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Suki is the SWEETEST girl ever! She is obsessed with love and cuddles. She is always happy, smiling, and ready to go on an adventure. All dogs and puppies come spayed and neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Adoption fees are $75.00 for adult dogs and $100.00 for puppies at the time of adoption. Our adoptions are done by approved applications, so you must apply and be approved before being able to meet any of our dogs or puppies. To be approved, you can apply online at: https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/1486/Adoption-Application or you can apply in person. Applications can take a few business days to be approved and you will be emailed with communications regarding your application.

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

Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Ames, Iowa

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

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Shelter

Ames Animal Shelter

325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Rescue

Golden Retriever Rescue of Iowa

Nevada, IA 50201

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Story County Animal Control & Shelter

975 West Lincoln Highway, Nevada, IA 50201

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, horses, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Shelter

Internet Miniature Pinscher Service Inc.

Box 357, Luther, IA 50152

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Animal Relief Coalition of Iowa

PO Box 38, Boone, IA 50036

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Shelter

Boone Area Humane Society

228 W 16TH, Boone, IA 50036

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

South Hamilton Animal Alliance and Jewell Animal Hospital

548 Main Street, PO Box 354, Jewell, IA 50130

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Kitty City Rescue & Rehab

445 Parker Street, PO Box 53, Stanhope, IA 50246

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Forever Home Dog Rescue

Johnston, IA 50131

Pet Types: dogs

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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 Ames, Iowa and nearby cities.

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