US Animal Plant Health Inspctn

For the people of Iowa, particularly those engaged in agriculture, livestock trade, pet travel, or animal welfare, the presence of the **US Animal Plant Health Inspctn (APHIS)** office in Des Moines is a cornerstone of federal oversight and support. Unlike local veterinary clinics that focus on individual patient care, APHIS—a vital agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)—operates at a high, governmental level. Their core mission is to protect and promote U.S. agricultural health, which, in a state like Iowa, is indispensable to the economy and food supply.

The Des Moines APHIS office is a key local contact point for national programs dedicated to **Animal Health**, **Plant Protection And Quarantine**, and **Animal Welfare**. The federal veterinary care provided here is regulatory, protective, and proactive. It involves managing diseases across state and international borders, ensuring the humane treatment of animals in commerce, and safeguarding the state’s massive livestock and crop industries from invasive pests and deadly diseases. This work ensures the health, quality, and marketability of Iowa's animal products globally, touching the lives of nearly every Iowan through a secure food system and protected natural resources.

Location and Accessibility in Downtown Des Moines

The USDA APHIS office serving Iowa is located in the heart of the state capital, situated within a key federal government building. This placement ensures administrative efficiency and accessibility for official business.

The office is located in the prominent **Neal Smith Federal Building** at the following address:

• **Address:** The Neal Smith Federal Building, 210 Walnut St # 891, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

Being housed within a federal facility, the office is designed to comply with rigorous accessibility standards, making it available to all citizens conducting official business. The building provides necessary features to accommodate visitors, reflecting its status as a core government resource:

• **Wheelchair accessible entrance:** Ensuring easy entry into the federal building.
• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** Providing convenient parking access for individuals with mobility challenges.
• **Wheelchair accessible restroom:** Available amenities for public use within the building.
• **Restroom:** General amenities for staff and visitors.

Visitors should be prepared for standard security procedures typical of a federal government building. This central location in Des Moines makes it a practical point of contact for Iowa veterinarians, producers, and businesses needing to interface with federal regulatory bodies.

Essential Federal Services Offered for Iowa

The APHIS office provides specialized, federal-level veterinary and regulatory services that are crucial for Iowa’s agricultural success and for pet owners who travel internationally. These services are typically regulatory, enforcement, or certification-based.

The core services provided or coordinated by the APHIS office include:

• **Animal Health and Disease Management:** Monitoring, preventing, controlling, and eradicating outbreaks of foreign and domestic animal diseases that could threaten Iowa’s **Farm Animal** populations, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or African Swine Fever.
• **Health Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Services:** Although the main **National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)** is located in Ames, the Des Moines office helps coordinate the submission of samples and utilizes these federal **Laboratory Services** for high-security disease confirmation and testing.
• **Issuance of Health Certificates:** Endorsing **Pet Health Certificates** and those for **Livestock Assistance** required for **Pet Travel** or commercial animal shipments moving from the U.S. to other countries (International Services).
• **Animal Welfare:** Enforcing the federal **Animal Welfare** Act (AWA) to ensure the humane care and treatment of animals used in research, exhibition, or commercial transport, including inspections and licensing of facilities like dog breeders and zoos.
• **Biotechnology Regulatory Services:** Providing oversight and regulation of genetically engineered organisms to ensure their safe development and release, protecting Iowa's agricultural and natural resources.
• **Plant Protection And Quarantine (PPQ):** Protecting Iowa's crops and forests by safeguarding agriculture and natural resources from the risks associated with the entry and spread of pests and noxious weeds (e.g., Emerald Ash Borer).
• **Emergency Management:** Providing federal support and leadership for **Emergency Management** efforts during animal disease outbreaks or other natural disasters that impact animal and plant resources in Iowa.
• **Wildlife Services:** Providing leadership to resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife, which includes managing **Rabies Vaccination** programs in wildlife and addressing damage caused by invasive or problem species.
• **Animal Product** **Regulation:** Overseeing and regulating the import and export of animal products and byproducts to maintain biosecurity and facilitate trade.
• **General Veterinary Care (Regulatory Aspects):** Offering guidance on topics like **Parasite Treatment** and **Fecal Exam** requirements as they pertain to interstate or international movement of animals, rather than performing the exams themselves.

Features and Highlights of Federal Veterinary Oversight

The Des Moines APHIS office is distinguished by its direct connection to the vast resources and authority of the U.S. federal government. This capability provides a level of security and expertise unavailable at a local or even state level.

Key features and highlights include:

• **Federal Enforcement Authority:** APHIS is the leading authority for enforcing critical federal statutes, including the **Animal Welfare Act** and the **Animal Health Protection Act**, providing a foundational legal framework for animal care and disease control nationwide.
• **International Trade Facilitation:** The office is a critical gateway for Iowa’s agricultural exports. By endorsing **Issue Health Certificates** and managing **International Services**, APHIS ensures that Iowa products and pets can move safely and legally across the globe, protecting the state’s trade integrity.
• **Access to National Laboratory Excellence:** Being linked to the **National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)** in Ames, Iowa, gives the local APHIS office direct access to one of the world's premier federal animal disease diagnostic facilities for official confirmation and investigation of serious threats.
• **One Health Approach:** APHIS operates on the principle of **One Health**, integrating expertise in animal health, plant health, and wildlife management to address complex public health issues where human, animal, and environmental health intersect.
• **Emergency Preparedness:** The agency is the primary federal responder for animal and plant disease emergencies, providing an integrated and well-funded network for rapid crisis management that supports the Iowa State Veterinarian's efforts.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding federal animal movement requirements, disease reporting, Animal Welfare Act compliance, or international pet travel certificates, Iowans can contact the Des Moines APHIS office.

Contact details for the US Animal Plant Health Inspctn (APHIS) office:

• **Address:** The Neal Smith Federal Building, 210 Walnut St # 891, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
• **Phone:** (515) 284-4140
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 515-284-4140
• **Type of Service:** Federal Regulatory and Veterinary Services

Why APHIS is Worth Choosing (as a Resource)

For any Iowa resident or business dealing with animal movement across state or international lines, compliance with the **US Animal Plant Health Inspctn** is not merely a choice—it is a mandatory and critical requirement. The office is the official source for federal **veterinary care** regulatory oversight, and understanding its role is essential for legal operation and disease prevention.

Choosing to utilize APHIS resources means ensuring you are in full compliance with U.S. laws, particularly regarding **Pet Travel** and the export of **Animal Product**. For agricultural producers, APHIS’s robust **Disease Management** programs are the first and last line of defense against devastating outbreaks that could close international markets to Iowa goods. Whether you are a private pet owner planning a move abroad or a livestock producer protecting your herd, APHIS provides the authoritative, federal certifications and regulations necessary to participate safely and legally in the broader global and national economy. Their dedicated focus on **Plant Protection And Quarantine** further ensures the overall integrity of Iowa’s invaluable agricultural landscape, making them an indispensable government resource for all Iowans.

US Animal Plant Health Inspctn

The Neal Smith Federal Building, 210 Walnut St # 891, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA