Cat-Friendly Dogs for Adoption in Des Moines, IA: 12 Dogs Good with Cats
Rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Des Moines have 12 cat-friendly dogs up for adoption. Here are all 12, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Every dog on this page has been marked by their rescue as good with cats, so they're a good fit if you already share your home with one.
Not in Des Moines? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Sadie
Sadie is an adorable 4-month-old female Pit Bull mix with a heart full of love and a personality that will steal yours! This sweet girl came to Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa as a local owner surrender and is now searching for her forever family. Sadie can be a little shy when meeting new people or experiencing new things, but don’t let that fool you! Give her a little time to warm up, and her fun-loving, affectionate personality quickly shines through. Once she’s comfortable, she’s all about playing, soaking up attention, and curling up for some quality cuddle time. Like any young puppy, Sadie is still learning the ropes! She is not yet potty trained, but she’s already practicing in her foster home and making progress.
Read more about Sadie
With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, we think this smart little girl will catch on quickly! Sadie is at the perfect age to continue learning, exploring, and growing alongside her forever family. She’ll need a family willing to guide her through puppyhood, continue her training, and give her all the love and snuggles she deserves. Sadie’s Perfect Match: A patient, loving family who understands that puppies take time, training, and consistency. In return, you’ll get a loyal, playful, and incredibly cuddly best friend! If you are interested in meeting Sadie please complete and application https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
2. Apollo
Meet Apollo!
Apollo is a handsome Rottweiler and Hound mix with a big heart and plenty of love to give! This sweet boy came to Safe Haven as an owner surrender, and we're still getting to know him, but so far, he's showing us just how lovable he truly is. Apollo loves people, gets along with other dogs, and is also good with cats! Whether he's making new friends or spending time with his favorite humans, Apollo is happiest when he has companionship. He could make a wonderful addition to a home looking for a canine friend or a devoted companion of their own.
Read more about Apollo
Apollo is a strong boy, so his future family should be prepared to continue working with him on leash manners, basic obedience, and training. With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, Apollo has so much potential to become an amazing lifelong companion.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
3. Zion
Zion is scheduled for his neuter and rabies vaccination on Wednesday, January 6, 2027. His adopter will be required to complete his remaining vetting (neuter and remaining vaccinations) in West Des Moines, Iowa without exception.
Read more about Zion
Zion is an 8-week-old, male (dob 9/11/26), Lab mix puppy that weighs about 12 lbs. Zion will likely be 70 to 80 lbs. full grown. He is an active, adventurous puppy that loves to explore and keep busy. He is working on house training and kennel training and is doing quite well for such a young puppy. He is walking well on a leash and also likes to explore but mostly hangs out right next to me. He needs human touch. Zion is a friendly, sweet puppy that does well with other dogs and enjoys children. He has started walking on a leash and does very well. This boy is very smart and is eager to please.
Momma: Ziggy
Siblings: Zion (M), Zavian (M), Zora (F), Zena (F), Zaida (F)
If you are interested in meeting Zion, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
4. Zena
Zena is scheduled for her spay and rabies vaccination on Wednesday, January 6, 2027. Her adopter will be required to complete her remaining vetting (spay and remaining vaccinations) in West Des Moines, Iowa without exception.
Read more about Zena
Zena is an 8-week-old (dob 9/11/26), female, Lab mix that weighs around 10 lbs. We have no idea what breed daddy is, but momma appears to be part Black Lab. She will likely be 50 to 60 lbs. full grown. Zena is as sweet as they come and is the smallest of her littermates. She has started her kennel training, house training, and leash training. She eats in her kennel and sleeps through the night in it. Zena is a very young puppy so she will need time to become fully house trained, but she is doing pretty good so far for her age. She has adjusted well to being on a leash and needs continued experience with it. Zena is being fostered with her brother Zion and 2 other large dogs that are helping her learn how to interact and play with other dogs. One of Zena's favorite past-times is jumping into leaf piles and chasing her brother through them. She is a very smart puppy and has already learned to sit, stay, and come when given the command.
Momma: Ziggy
Siblings: Zion (M), Zavian (M), Zora (F), Zena (F), Zaida (F)
If you are interested in meeting Zena, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
5. Zaida
Zaida is scheduled for her spay and rabies vaccination on Wednesday, January 6, 2027. Her adopter will be required to complete her remaining vetting (spay and remaining vaccinations) in West Des Moines, Iowa without exception.
Read more about Zaida
Zaida is an 8-week-old (dob approximately 9/11/26), 12 lb., female, Lab mix puppy. We have no idea what breed daddy is, but momma appears to be part Black Lab. She will likely be 65 to 75 lbs. full grown. She loves being pampered and being the center of attention! At just 8 weeks old, she is just starting to learn about kennel and house training, but she is very smart and should get the hang of it pretty quickly. She is doing well with the adult dogs and cats in her foster home. This girl plays hard and then sleeps hard. She's every bit as sweet as she is sassy!
Momma: Ziggy
Siblings: Zion (M), Zavian (M), Zora (F), Zena (F), Zaida (F)
If you are interested in meeting Zaida, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
6. Zora
Zora is scheduled for her spay and rabies vaccination on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. Her adopter will be required to complete her remaining vetting (spay and remaining vaccinations) in West Des Moines, Iowa without exception.
Read more about Zora
Zora is an 8-week-old (dob 9/11/26), 12 lb., female, Lab mix puppy. We have no idea what breed daddy is, but momma appears to be part Black Lab. She will likely be 65 to 75 lbs. full grown. Zora is working on house training, kennel training, and leash training in her foster home. She is a sweet, cuddly puppy loves other dogs and kids. She is a very smart puppy that would love an active family that can help her learn about the world and explore as she grows up.
Momma: Ziggy
Siblings: Zion (M), Zavian (M), Zora (F), Zena (F), Zaida (F)
If you are interested in meeting Zora, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
7. Nala
Nala is an approximate 15-week-old, 25 lb., female, possible Black Mouth Cur/Lab mix puppy. She and her 3 siblings came from Oklahoma recently where they endured some instability the first several weeks of their life. Their owner did not take steps to secure the puppies on the property and after they began to wander out of the yard, they were dumped in different parts of town. Thankfully some kind people were eventually able to round up all 5 puppies in the litter, along with their momma, and get them into a secure, temporary foster home while they waited for transport to Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa. She is scheduled for her spay surgery and rabies vaccination on Tuesday, November 3. Nala and her siblings are sweet puppies with a lot of potential. They just need a family that can be patient with them as they learn how to trust people fully and help them gain experience with all the new things life has to offer them.
Read more about Nala
Nala is the kind of puppy who steals your heart quietly — one shy glance at a time. She's a little reserved when you first meet her, preferring to watch the world from a safe spot before deciding you're trustworthy. But it doesn't take long: a gentle voice, a soft toy, and suddenly she's bouncing around with her tail wagging a mile a minute. Playful to her core, Nala loves a good game of fetch, a squeaky toy, and any adventure that ends with cuddles. She's looking for a patient, loving home where she can blossom at her own pace — and reward you with endless affection once she does. She is working on house training since her life has been spent living outdoors until she came into our rescue. Nala is currently living with her brother Simba and foster dogs and a cat.
Siblings: Daisy (F), Nala (F), Boone (M) Simba (M)
If you are interested in meeting Nala, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
8. Dan
Meet Dan! He is an approximate 16-week-old, male, 22 lb., possible Shepherd mix. Dan is a sweet, goofy puppy. He’s likely to grow into a big, active boy, so he’s looking for a family that’s ready to put in the time and effort to help him become the very best dog he can be. Right now, Dan is busy learning how to be a dog. He’s working on crate training, potty training, and walking on a leash, but he’s still very much a baby, and his new family will need to pick up where his foster home leaves off. The good news? He’s a smart little guy who wants to please, and he’s eager to learn. Dan is also a bit of a character. He loves sprawling out on cool floors, galloping awkwardly around the yard, and settling in with a good chewy stick. He’s quite talkative, too, and has a habit of muttering to himself when he’s sleepy. (We don’t know what he’s saying, but we suspect he has some strong opinions). He currently lives in a foster home with other dogs and cats and is doing well with both. Dan’s future family should be prepared for a large, energetic dog who will need regular exercise, mental stimulation, and continued training. With patience, consistency, and a little humor, though, we think Dan is going to grow up to be a pretty fantastic dog. If you’re ready for all the fun, work, and occasional chaos that comes with raising a puppy, Dan would love to meet you!
Read more about Dan
Siblings: Shay (F) Dan (M)
If you are interested in meeting Dan, please complete an online application at https://hopeanimalrescueofiowa.duplie.com/forms/196/dog-application Adoption fee is $300 which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
9. Smoosh
This sweet bully loves other dogs, kids and cats, he loves attention and snuggling with you
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
10. Izzy
Sweet girl who loves human affection. She likes toys and other dogs
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
11. Murphy
Murphy is a handsome yellow lab mix. When he first came in, he had some food/kennel aggression, but he has gotten much better! He's approximately 1 year old and weighs 75 pounds. He gets along with other dogs and kids. We think he would do best in a home with no small kids.
- Good with kids
- Good with cats
- House-trained
12. Kiki
Nervous of people she doesn't know but does warm up quickly. No small kids, great neighborhood watch dog. Does like to play tug and chases toys.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
Bringing a dog home to your cat
Tell the rescue about your cat: their age and how they react to dogs. A dog who has lived calmly with one cat may still want to chase a cat that runs.
Introduce them slowly. Keep them apart for the first few days and swap bedding so they get used to each other's scent, then let them meet with the dog on a leash, rewarding calm behavior.
Make sure the cat can always get somewhere the dog can't reach, like a high shelf or a room behind a baby gate, and keep the litter box and cat food out of the dog's way.
Rescues with cat-friendly dogs near Des Moines
- Hope Animal Rescue of IowaWest Des Moines, IA · 7 cat-friendly dogs above
- Cedar Valley Pit Bull RescueWaterloo, Ia · 3 cat-friendly dogs above
- Safe Haven of Iowa CountyWilliamsburg, IA · 1 cat-friendly dog above
- Marion County Humane SocietyKnoxville, IA · 1 cat-friendly dog above
Questions about adopting cat-friendly dogs in Des Moines
How many cat-friendly dogs are up for adoption in Des Moines?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Des Moines, Iowa, have 12 cat-friendly dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a cat-friendly dog in Des Moines?
The rescues with the most cat-friendly dogs near Des Moines right now are Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa (West Des Moines, IA), Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue (Waterloo, Ia) and Safe Haven of Iowa County (Williamsburg, IA). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
How do I introduce a dog to my cat?
Slowly. Keep them apart for a few days so they get used to each other's scent, then let them meet with the dog on a leash, rewarding calm behavior. Always give the cat an escape route the dog can't follow.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.