The Marshalltown Animal Rescue League has paused all cat intakes and stopped responding to animal-related calls outside city limits, citing overcrowded kennels and mounting costs. The shelter is currently caring for over 20 cats from a recent animal seizure connected to a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Contract Dispute and Overcrowding

The shelter announced the decision in a social media post, blaming the situation in part on a large animal seizure in Laurel. According to court documents, deputies and animal rescue staff removed two dogs, six cats, and approximately six kittens from a home in early May. The homeowner is facing multiple animal neglect charges in connection with the case.

The Animal Rescue League says it has now been caring for animals from that seizure for roughly 40 days. The organization says those animals cannot be adopted, fostered, or otherwise placed until legal proceedings move forward. Iowa law states that animal seizure cases shall be heard within ten days from the filing of the petition for disposition by the local authority.

The shelter says no hearing has been held in this case, leaving the animals in its care indefinitely. As a nonprofit with a limited budget and no government funding, the organization cannot continue to absorb costs at this level. The rescue says it has spent more than $12,000 caring for the animals and has no way to recover those costs until the legal process advances.

The situation comes during the peak of kitten season, a time when shelters often see a sharp increase in cat intakes. At the same time, Marshall County and the Animal Rescue League are negotiating a new service agreement. County officials told KCCI the shelter’s contract with Marshall County expired in 2025.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.