MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Muscatine Humane Society has announced it will no longer accept stray animals under contract with the City of Muscatine after June 30, 2025, citing ongoing disagreements over contract terms and funding for services.

The change means that, beginning July 1, animals picked up by Muscatine’s animal control officers may no longer be accepted at the Humane Society’s facility unless another agreement is reached.

In addition, city residents who find a stray animal with no identifiable owner will not be able to surrender it to the Humane Society because it is not their property to surrender. Under state regulations, the Humane Society cannot accept those animals on the City’s behalf after the contract expires.

In a letter signed by its board of directors, the Humane Society formally rejected a proposed new contract from the City earlier this spring that was created without input from the Humane Society.

The Humane Society has agreed to continue accepting animals through the end of its current contract, which expires on June 30. After that date, stray and seized animals originating from within Muscatine city limits will not be accepted, in accordance with state regulations.   This does not affect any other services of the Muscatine Humane Society.

Neither the Muscatine Police Department or the City of Muscatine have yet released an official statement outlining how animal impoundment will be handled beginning July 1.

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