Rescue of dozens of Plymouth County dogs leaves agency in need of space, cash
September 24th, 2025 by Ric Hanson
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest non-profit animal shelter tackled one of its biggest rescue efforts in years in northwest Iowa on Tuesday. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa rounded up and removed more than one-hundred dogs from a property in Plymouth County. K-C Routos, the A-R-L’s director of development and communications, says it was a major operation to safely house and transport so many animals almost four hours to the headquarters in Des Moines.
Members of the A-R-L’s trained medical staff are working to care for each dog, administer vaccinations, and get them healthy.
It’s hoped some of the dogs will be well enough to be put up for adoption very soon. The shelter is appealing to Iowans for help, both through financial donations and encouraging people to become pet parents.
She notes, the A-R-L receives no state, federal, or United Way funding, so it relies heavily on community support.

