We are often asked what you can do to help. Here are some ideas: Collect old newspapers (not the ad inserts) for the shelter. We use them to line the cat's cages. You can leave them at the front door if no one is around. We can always use towels and wash cloths (in good condition) too. Winter is coming and what better way to help the shelter dogs than to start collecting blankets, stock up on chew bones and/or chew toys, and special dog treats to make their winter quarters more comfortable?

The Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter is managed by Friends of the Shelter, Inc. We have many available pets for adoption listed on this website. If you want to report a missing pet, call the shelter at (319) 472-4623 and leave a detailed message or email jdcasey@hughes.net. At this time, the Vinton Shelter's hours are by appointment only.

Our Featured Pet

Vica

Friends of the Shelter, Inc. is a private non profit animal shelter and we also manage the Vinton/Benton Animal Shelter. Many improvements have been made at the Vinton Shelter and we are excited about the future of animal care and adoptions. Our board members, volunteers, and supporters (past and present) have worked towards that goal for years and will continue to do whatever we can to help the homeless and abandoned pets of Benton Co.

Some of Friends of the Shelter's adoptable cats are available at the Adoption Center at PetSmart in Waterloo, IA.

Our Adoptable Pet List
Click to see our lost/hold pets!

Second Featured Pet

Patty

Our Adoptable Pet List
Click to see our lost/hold pets!

Information

If you have a pet that you need to relinquish, please contact us ahead of time to see if we have space available. Make sure they are up-to-date on shots (provide proof) and are spayed or neutered. Before calling us to see if we have space available we recommend that you try to find them a home yourself by asking friends and relatives, advertising, contacting rescues, etc. The Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter building is very small and in the past euthanizing for space was routine, something that with your help, by rehoming your own pet, that practice has been eliminated.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN SEND YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO FRIENDS OF THE SHELTER, INC. THROUGH UNITED WAY? ASK US HOW!

Please spay and neuter your pets and encourage others to do the same. Up-to-date vaccinations, regular vet checks, and your companionship and love are a must for a healthy happy family pet.

Contact Us

The shelter does not have set open hours but you can call the shelter (319-472-4623) to set up an appointment or email.: jdcasey@hughes.net

Volunteers

This page is dedicated to every Friends of the Shelter volunteer, supporter, and rescue person who has truly made a difference. To the world you may be only one person, but to a shelter animal, you are the world! Our goal is to try to improve the lives of homeless animals and save as many pets as possible without having to humanely euthanize them. We realize that we can not save all the homeless, abandoned dogs and cats, but we continually try to do our best. Some of the animals at the shelter are strays, others are unwanted and have been abandoned while others are owner surrender because of unfortunate circumstances not their fault while still perfect in all important ways. We are devoted to the animals, we want to make sure they are placed in only good homes. Some items in need: bones, chew toys, cat toys, cat litter, kitten food, blankets, and wash cloths . Thank you for visiting our web site and your interest in the welfare of shelter animals.

Friends of the Shelter, Inc.

Friends of the Shelter, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to help make the homeless animals in Benton County be healthy and safe while we find them forever loving homes through adoptions or rescues. All donations go directly for the welfare of the animals. Some of our expenses are for spaying/neutering (Rebecca Lynn Young Fund for spaying/neutering), medicines for treatable health issues, and other supplies. You can mail your tax-deductible donations to:

Here's the DIRECTIONS TO THE SHELTER: Do not use MapQuest!

From Hwy. 380 – Take the Urbana exit, go towards town, turn left just past the gas station, go through 2 stop signs and head out of town on W26, continue straight on this road for 6 miles. Take a Right on the first paved road (Oak Grove Church is located on this corner) the road is 61st Street but also known as county home road (not marked). Go 6 miles and the Vinton Animal Shelter is on the Right side of the road.

Traveling 218 S or N – Turn on 13th Street going East. Stay on this road for 1 mile out of town and you will see the Vinton Animal Shelter on the North side of the road. Note: if you are going 218 S you will see 13th Street soon after Alco but not past Thiesens. 218 N you will be in a residential area and 13th Street will be a few blocks after the school on your Right.

Hwy 30 W - take county road Hwy W26 towards Shellsburg. Stay on W26 N for 9 miles until you come into Shellsburg. Take the 2nd paved road (after car wash) on your Right, take to first stop sign and take a Right (you will still be traveling W26 N). You will go through 2, 4-way stop signs and continue out of town for 5 miles. Take a left on 61st Street (Oak Grove Church is located on this corner). Drive 6 miles and the Vinton Animal Shelter is on your Right. We hope to see you there!!

Adopting a friend