Why DSM is Home Sweet Home for Fur Babies

What makes Greater Des Moines (DSM) a great place for pet owners? Whether it’s quality vet clinics, dog parks, pet-friendly living options or coworking spaces that welcome pets, finding the right place to call home when you own a pet is essential. And thanks to the region’s extensive trails, affordable homes and sizeable apartment space, pets have room to roam, it’s no surprise that Des Moines landed at  #5 on the Top U.S. Cities for Pets & Their Owners list. 

Looking for pet-friendly amenities around DSM? Read on for a few of the local trails, outdoor spaces, apartments and coworking spaces in the region: 

Dog-Friendly Trails Around Greater Des Moines

Take your pup for a walk on one of the many trails around DSM: 

• Ashworth / Greenland Park 
• Bill Riley Trail at Waterworks Park 
• Brown’s Woods Trail in West Des Moines 
• Carney Marsh Trail in Ankeny 
• Chichaqua Valley Trail in Baxter 
• Colby Woods Trail at Walker Johnston Park in Urbandale
• Cottonwood Recreation Area via Neal Smith Trail
• Fort Des Moines Park Nature Trail in Des Moines 
• Great Western Trail in Cumming 
• High Trestle Trail in Ankeny 
• Jack Pine Trail at Chichaqua Wildlife Park in Maxwell 
• Kruidenier Trail or the Meredith and Martin Luther King Trails at Gray’s Lake Park 
• Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines – also includes the 10-acre, fenced Raccoon River Dog Park 
• Saylorville Lakeshore Trail or Hickory Ridge Trail at Jester Park in Granger 
• Sycamore Trail in Johnston 
• Walnut Creek Trail

Outdoor Spaces for Pets and Their Owners in Greater Des Moines

Here are a few places that welcome pups and where you can have an adventure. 

• 515 Brewing patio in Clive 
• Ankeny Dog Park 
• Bar Louie patio in West Des Moines 
• Brightside Aleworks patio in Altoona 
• City of Des Moines Dog Parks 
• Paws & Pints in Des Moines 
• Peace Tree Brewing Co. patio in Downtown Des Moines 
• Stylin’ Paws Indoor Dog Park in Urbandale (Check out their party space and other services, too!) 
• Trailside Dog Park in Waukee 
• Uptown Garage Brewing Co. in Ankeny 

Pet-Friendly Apartments in Greater Des Moines 

Check out these rentals that can be home sweet home for you and your pets: 

• Alice Patricia Apartments or Painted Woods Villas in Waukee 
• Parkside Apartments in Bondurant 
• The Allure at 141 in Grimes 
• The Emory in Altoona 
• The Flats Apartments in West Des Moines 
• Woodland Reserve in Ankeny 

Pet-Friendly Coworking Spaces in Greater Des Moines 

Work and hang out with your pup at these coworking spaces: 

• Collaborate DSM 
• Gravitate Coworking in Downtown, Des Moines and Windsor Heights – Gravitate even has a coworking dog named Hercules! 

Along with dog-friendly places above, you can find places to shop with your pet, too. Try EarthWise Pet in Pella or Newton for pet food, grooming, treats and more. Quality veterinary services are also available at Adel Veterinary Clinic, All Seasons Veterinary Care in Polk City, Carlisle Veterinary Clinic, Pet Medical Center of Urbandale, Prairie Lakes Pet Hospital in Ankeny, Westfield Veterinary Hospital in Johnston and others around the region. 

Don’t have your four-legged friend yet, but considering one to help you make your home in DSM? Stop in at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to find the perfect addition to your family. The adoption process is easy to follow — the ARL even holds Adoption Events around the region where you can adopt on-site. 

Find Your Place. Do Something Greater. 

Make your home in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and do something greater in your career and life. Find your community, have fun and live in a place you’ll love. Get connected to learn more.