Adopt

Puppies and dogs in Des Moines, Iowa

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

A pair of dogs

Adopt a dog in Des Moines, Iowa

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Des Moines, Iowa. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
Photo of Bella

Bella

Shih Tzu Maltese

Female, Senior
Urbandale, IA
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Bella is a senior Shih Tzu–Maltese mix who has been part of our family since 2013. She's a small dog with a distinct personality and plenty of opinions! Much of the day, she's content to curl up in a cozy spot and sleep peacefully. She's capable of settling in and enjoying a quiet environment. Bella can also be vocal and persistent when she wants something, and she's never been particularly shy about communicating her preferences. She would be best suited to someone who understands that she's an older dog with established habits and is comfortable with a companion who can be a little demanding at times. We're hoping to find Bella a quiet, loving home where she can enjoy her senior years with someone whose lifestyle is a good match for hers.
Photo of Beau

Beau

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Male, Young
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Primary Color: Gold Weight: 52.5 Age: 1yrs 1mths 2wks
new badge
Photo of Lucky

Lucky

Shepherd (Unknown Type) Labrador Retriever

Male, Young
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
HOW TO ADOPT: This pet is available for adoption at a community event. Please check our Events Calendar for more information. Primary Color: Brown Secondary Color: Black Weight: 44.6 Age: 0yrs 6mths 3wks
new badge
Photo of Rusty

Rusty

German Shepherd Dog

Male, Adult
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
- Walks well on a leash and loves to play with tennis balls Primary Color: Black Secondary Color: Tan Weight: 68 Age: 2yrs 0mths 3wks
Photo of Marshmallow

Marshmallow

American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, Adult
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
HOW TO ADOPT: This animal is available for adoption by appointment. To schedule a time to meet this animal, please email meetme@arl-iowa.org.---- SUPER into treats and will perk up and wag her tail when she sees them - Loves going on walks and does best with a harness - Prefers to explore and do her own thing here in the shelter, but will likely open up more once she's in a home environment and has had time to decompress - May take some time to warm up to new dogs and may prefer some dogs over others; would be most comfortable with a slow introduction to new dogs (dog intro required) - Looking for a teens-and-up home right now 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: Black Weight: 40 Age: 3yrs 1mths 2wks
Photo of Bert

Bert

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Male, Young
Des Moines, IA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
- Busy pup who loves to connect with people through play and other activities; will likely enjoy physical activity and mental challenges to keep his body and brain busy- Energetic and loves playing in our dog park and playing with rope toys - Knows sit and focuses well when you have treats- Enjoys going on walks and does best with a harness- Likes to give kisses - Young, noisy or busy kids can be too much for him (mature home recommended) - May enjoy like-minded dog friendsThe 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: White Secondary Color: Brown Weight: 52 Age: 1yrs 1mths 1wks

Search for a puppy or dog

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

Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Des Moines, Iowa

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

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

Russell Rescue, Inc. - Iowa Area

Des Moines, IA 50301

Pet Types: dogs

More an arrow icon

Rescue

Unbreakabull Bullies Rehabilitation and Rescue

Des Moines, IA 50314

Pet Types: cats, dogs

More an arrow icon

Rescue

Charming Pet Rescue - IA Transport Stop

Des Moines, IA 50309

Pet Types: dogs

More an arrow icon

Shelter

Iowa Golden Retriever Rescue

PO Box 13316, Des Moines, IA 50310

Pet Types: dogs

More an arrow icon

Shelter

Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc.

5452 NE 22nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313

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

More an arrow icon

Shelter

MidwestBoxerRescues-Iowa

all areas, IA 50311

Pet Types: dogs

More an arrow icon

Rescue

Heartland Weimaraner Rescue - IA

Des Moines, IA 50315

Pet Types: dogs

More an arrow icon

Rescue

Safe Home Rescue

PO Box 57448, Des Moines, IA 50317

Pet Types: cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals

More an arrow icon

Shelter

Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Inc

4521 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50320

Pet Types: cats, dogs

More an arrow icon

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!

Image of dog

Looking for a specific breed?

Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Des Moines, 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