West Des Moines, IA

• Emergency vet care

  Hours are only as each source states them. Call before you go.

  VEG Des Moines (Veterinary Emergency Group)

  Phone: (515) 361-7951

  Address: 6840 EP True Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

  Website: https://www.veg.com/lp/des-moines

  City: West Des Moines

  24/7 emergency - 'Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.'

  Source: VEG Des Moines · Checked Nov 6, 2026
• Animal shelters and rescues
  Animal Rescue League of Iowa - ARL West

  Phone: (515) 473-9133

  Address: Inside Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes, 1500 22nd St., West Des Moines, IA 50265

  Website: https://www.arl-iowa.org/about/locations-hours/

  Type: nonprofit adoption location

  Source: Animal Rescue League of Iowa - Locations & Hours · Checked Nov 6, 2026
• Rabies vaccination requirement
  Rule: Every dog owner must obtain a rabies vaccination; it is unlawful to own or possess a dog six months of age or over that has not been vaccinated against rabies (dogs kept in kennels and not allowed to run at large are exempt). The vaccine must be approved by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and administered by a licensed veterinarian, who issues a tag with the vaccination certificate; the tag must at all times be attached to the dog's collar. Revaccination frequency is set by the Department. Violation is a simple misdemeanor.

  Scope: state

  Statute url: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/351.pdf

  Iowa Code 351.33, 351.35, 351.43. Cities and counties may adopt additional rabies-control and at-large measures (351.41). Dogs in transit/exhibited and in the state under 30 days are exempt (351.42).

  Applies statewide (Iowa). Source: Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 351 - Dogs and Other Animals (legis.iowa.gov) · Checked Nov 6, 2026

About this place

• Population
  73,664 (2024)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (cities and towns) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Land area (sq mi)
  47.505 (2025)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Gazetteer Files (places) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Official website
  http://www.wdm.iowa.gov

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Government Units Listing · Checked Nov 5, 2026