Des Moines Council launches new pet licensing program to boost animal control funding

The Des Moines City Council meeting on May 22, 2025, focused on revitalizing the city's pet licensing program to enhance animal control services, which have faced budget cuts. Assistant Chief Stanton and Chief Beau presented the initiative, emphasizing the need for increased community participation in pet licensing to generate revenue for animal care.

The council discussed the importance of the pet licensing program, which has seen low compliance rates. Currently, the city sells only about 300 licenses annually, far below the national average of 1,500 to 1,900 licenses for a city of Des Moines' size. To address this, the city has partnered with DocuPet, a company specializing in pet licensing solutions. DocuPet aims to streamline the licensing process, improve compliance, and enhance the overall experience for pet owners.

DocuPet representatives highlighted their commitment to helping cities increase licensing revenue while providing tools for better management of pet data. They noted that 20% of revenue from designer pet tags sold through the program would be returned to the city, contributing to animal care funding. The program also includes a free app for pet owners to manage their licenses easily.

The council plans to promote the pet licensing initiative through various channels, including local events and community outreach. They aim to leverage resources like the local newspaper, Currents, and farmer's markets to raise awareness and encourage compliance. The goal is to increase annual pet licenses to between 1,000 and 1,500, potentially generating $44,000 to $66,000 for animal control services.

In conclusion, the city council's efforts to enhance the pet licensing program reflect a proactive approach to improving animal control services and engaging the community. The collaboration with DocuPet is expected to provide the necessary tools and support to achieve these goals, ultimately benefiting both pets and residents in Des Moines.