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Animal Rescue League: 32 dogs removed from unlicensed Cedar County breeder
The dogs’ owners cooperated in surrendering them
Jun. 10, 2025 3:05 pm, Updated: Jun. 10, 2025 3:36 pm
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The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office removed 32 neglected dogs from two properties near Clarence on Friday, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office.
“The dogs were found living in neglectful conditions without proper food, water, or shelter,” the post reads.
The owners of the dogs cooperated in surrendering them, and they were picked up with help from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, a Des Moines animal shelter, according to the post.
The Animal Rescue League in a news release said that this is the second time in two years the organization has helped the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office remove dogs from this owner, who the league said is an unlicensed breeder. In the previous instance, 30 dogs were removed.
The name or address of the breeder was not listed in either release, and the sheriff’s office did not respond Tuesday afternoon to a request for more information about the investigation.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office removed 32 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Cedar County last week. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office removed 32 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Cedar County last week. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office removed 32 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Cedar County last week. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office removed 32 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Cedar County last week. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office removed 32 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Cedar County last week. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
The league’s kennels were already full — with more than 1,200 animals in the nonprofit’s care — before the call to help with these 32 dogs came, but the league was able to fit the dogs into emergency overflow housing. The nonprofit is asking for donations to help support the care of the surrendered dogs and other animals in the league’s care.
“Our animal care team rushed to prepare emergency overflow housing for the dogs, and our rescue team hit the road for the 4-hour round trip to bring the dogs safely to the shelter. Our veterinary and care teams met the dogs when they arrived. Some were terrified. Some needed medical treatments. All of them were in need of care,” a Facebook post from the nonprofit reads.
Donations for the American Rescue League can be made online, or by mail or in-person at 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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