West Des Moines launches new RFP and in‑house cat program after inspection issues at shelter contractor

West Des Moines leaders said July 14 they will move forward with a city-run trap‑neuter‑release program for feral cats and are seeking outside contractors to adopt out animals after inspection and safety problems at a former partner led the city to end that contract. The mayor said the city will expand pound capacity, hold animals for evaluation and veterinary care, and award one or more contracts through a reissued request for proposals (RFP) for cat adoption services.

City officials framed the action as a response to Department of Agriculture inspection violations and public‑safety incidents tied to the city’s previous contractor, and to the recent decision by a private partner to stop taking cats. The mayor said the city did not renew its contract with Furry Friends Refuge after a series of Department of Agriculture findings and other incidents; the city then arranged for dog services with a separate contractor and issued an RFP for cat adoption and feral‑cat services.

The mayor said the Department of Agriculture found conditions including unsanitary areas, vermin, and kennel defects at the prior contractor’s facility,…