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Mayor proclaims March 30, 2026 as Animal Rescue League of Iowa Day as ARL marks 100 years
Summary
Mayor Connie Boszen read a proclamation March 23 honoring the Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s centennial and highlighted ARL’s statewide services and 2025 placement and return figures; ARL representatives thanked the council and posed for a photo.
Mayor Connie Boszen read a proclamation at the opening of the March 23 meeting declaring March 30, 2026 as Animal Rescue League of Iowa Day, marking the organization’s 100th anniversary since its founding in 1926.
In the proclamation Boszen described the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) as the state’s largest nonprofit animal shelter with a mission to protect animal welfare, preserve the human-animal bond and prevent companion-animal overpopulation. The proclamation cited ARL’s annual caseload of more than 13,000 animals and noted that in 2025 ARL returned 1,776 pets to their owners and placed a record 9,244 pets with new families.
ARL historian and board member Bernie Letington and ARL executive director Carol Gerleion thanked the mayor and council. Gerleion noted the longstanding relationship between ARL and the City of Des Moines and looked ahead to continued partnership.
Mayor Boszen closed the brief ceremony by thanking ARL and inviting representatives to pose for a photograph. The proclamation is a ceremonial recognition and does not carry fiscal action; it places the centennial observance on the city’s public record.
