ARL of Marshalltown reaches capacity for cats | News, Sports, Jobs

The Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown is no longer able to take in cats at its shelter due to it being at capacity.

“We have 100 cats in the shelter and 21 more in foster homes,” said Executive Director Austin Gillis. “We don’t have any empty kennels. We ended up setting up wire dog kennels in our conference room for adoptables to still have the exposure to the public. We have so many cats, we’re actually overflowing a smidge.”

Unless the cat is experiencing an emergency situation, Gillis asks the public to consider taking the feline to a different shelter or rescue group.

“If you call around, people will tell you they’re full too,” he said. “Contact some smaller rescues including Diamond in the Ruff Rescue here. They’re wonderful at networking. If you’re able to hold onto the cat for a little while and send a photo and information, they can see if anybody is looking to adopt.”

Gillis said the shelter is packed with dogs, too.

“We’re not taking anymore in from outside the county at the moment,” he said. “We have to have some space open per our contract with the city for strays that come in.”

He said the winter months — especially cold spells — see more people bringing animals to the ARL out of concern for their wellbeing.

“Along with that, I’ve been starting to notice that a lot of people getting back into the workforce post-COVID don’t have the time for the animal anymore, not being at home,” he said.

The ARL is seeking foster families to help free up space. It is authorized to have up to 40 foster homes at a time per the requirements of its land stewardship agreement through the Department of Agriculture.

“I would say we have nine foster homes now,” he added.

While monetary donations are always accepted, the shelter has changed its policy regarding donations of cat food.

At the end of 2023, it signed a contract with Hill’s Science Diet.

“It’s an exclusivity contract, so we only feed that food to our shelter animals,” he said.

Any donations that come in not of that brand, are used for the mobile pet food pantry or given to people in the community struggling to purchase pet food.

“We’re getting such a huge discount from Hill’s Science Diet that we can make your dollar go much farther if we order it, versus somebody buying it from the store and then bringing it in,” he said.

Donations of cat litter are always being accepted.

While it usually costs $35 to adopt a cat, the ARL of Marshalltown is holding a Valentine’s Day special now through February 16. Cats now cost just $14 each.

“So far, that’s been working out pretty good. I think we had five or six go out on Saturday, but then three more cats came in on Tuesday, so it’s like two steps forward and one step back,” Gillis said.

Dogs average $125 to adopt. Puppies (dogs under six months old) sell for $200. Senior dogs go for $75.

He noted it’s cheaper to adopt a cat from the ARL than accepting one for free from a private individual.

“It could cost you possibly a couple hundred dollars to get it fixed, vaccinated and microchipped. Whereas if you come to us, you can adopt one and have that already taken care of,” he said.

Mark your calendars for the ARL’s annual Furr Ball fundraiser, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 23 at Midnight Garden. There will be a live and silent auction, guest speakers and entertainment. Details to come.

“I just want to say thank you to the community for all the support,” Gillis said.

For adoption inquiries, fostering opportunities or to donate, contact the ARL at 641-753-9046 or stop by the shelter at 1921 Taylor Avenue in Marshalltown.