USDA Veterinary Services

Introduction / Overview

For Iowans, the health and safety of both domestic animals and the state's vital agricultural industry are paramount. The USDA Veterinary Services office, located right here in Ames, serves a highly specialized and critical role in safeguarding these interests. Unlike a typical local pet clinic, this facility is a key component of the federal government's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), often working in collaboration with the nearby National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the National Animal Disease Center (NADC), making Ames an epicenter for animal health expertise.

The core mission of the USDA Veterinary Services is vast and foundational: to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability of our nation’s animals, animal products, and veterinary biologics. For the general public in Iowa, this translates to essential regulatory support, particularly concerning Pet Travel and international movement of animals. For agricultural stakeholders, their work involves complex Disease Management programs, surveillance, and proactive Emergency Management to protect Iowa's livestock and poultry industries from both domestic and foreign threats. The highly educated staff are experts in their fields, providing a level of knowledge and service that is routinely described by customers as "very smart and well educated." This facility is a foundational institution ensuring the safety and economic viability of animal and plant resources across the state and the nation.

Location and Accessibility

The USDA Veterinary Services office is conveniently located in Ames, Iowa, a city renowned for its agricultural and animal health research institutions, including Iowa State University. The facility can be found at:

• Address: 1800 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

Due to the specialized nature of the regulatory and diagnostic work conducted here, the facility operates primarily by appointment for the public services it provides. While walk-ins may not be appropriate for core services, it is highly recommended that you adhere to the Appointments recommended policy.

The facility is fully committed to public access and includes several features to ensure a comfortable experience for all visitors:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• General Restroom amenities

These physical amenities underscore the professional and accommodating environment that complements the high level of scientific and regulatory expertise available at this location.

Services Offered

The range of services offered by USDA Veterinary Services is unique, focusing on public health, regulatory compliance, and large-scale animal and agricultural protection, rather than routine clinical procedures for individual pets.

• Pet Travel & Regulatory Compliance: A primary service for Iowans is the issuance of official Health Certificates after a thorough Health Examinations, essential for Pet Travel both interstate and internationally. This ensures compliance with all necessary regulations.
• Animal Health & Disease Control: The agency is directly involved in large-scale Animal Health initiatives, focusing on Disease Management, surveillance, and the control or elimination of contagious diseases that could impact livestock or public safety.
• Emergency Management: They play a pivotal role in Emergency Management, preparing for and responding to potential animal health crises, such as foreign animal disease outbreaks, protecting Iowa's agricultural economy.
• Diagnostic & Preventive Consultations: While they may not perform full clinical services, they provide guidance on general Animal Care, Parasite Treatment, and essential public health measures like Rabies Vaccination guidelines. Services like a Fecal Exam may be part of an official requirement for travel or a disease investigation.
• International Services: The office facilitates safe International Services for the trade and movement of animals and animal products, representing the US in global animal health standard-setting.
• Agricultural & Biotechnology Regulation: Beyond animals, the Ames office is involved in Plant Protection and Plant Protection And Quarantine to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases, and also manages Biotechnology Regulatory Services to ensure the safety of genetically engineered organisms.
• Wildlife Services: The agency provides services related to the management of wildlife to address threats to agriculture and public health.

Features / Highlights

The USDA Veterinary Services office in Ames, IA, is not a typical veterinary clinic but a high-level government facility with distinct features and national importance for the state of Iowa.

• Center for Animal Health: Being co-located in the Ames Animal Health hub—alongside the NVSL, NADC, and Iowa State’s Veterinary College—confers a unique distinction. This concentration of expertise is nationally significant and ensures that Iowa is at the forefront of Animal Health research and diagnostic capabilities.
• Regulatory Authority: This facility holds the official authority to Issue Health Certificates and manage federal programs like Disease Management and Biotechnology Regulatory Services, making it the essential stop for Iowans needing to move pets or animals across borders.
• Agricultural Protection Focus: A key highlight is the agency's primary role in protecting Iowa's multi-billion dollar livestock and crop industries through extensive Plant Protection And Quarantine and Emergency Management protocols. Their work directly contributes to the stability of the state's economy and food supply.
• World-Class Expertise: Customer feedback confirms the exceptional quality of the personnel, who are described as "Amazing facility. Great people" and "very smart and well educated." You are dealing with federal experts in animal epidemiology, pathology, and regulatory compliance.
• Comprehensive Accessibility: The provision of a fully Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking demonstrates a commitment to public service and ease of access for all community members in Iowa.

Contact Information

For individuals, producers, and veterinarians in the Iowa region needing assistance with regulatory compliance, animal health programs, or official documentation, please use the following contact details.

• Address: 1800 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA
• Phone: (515) 337-7266
• Mobile Phone: +1 515-337-7266

What is Worth Choosing

For Iowans, engaging with the USDA Veterinary Services office is not a choice for routine pet care, but a necessity for essential regulatory and public health services. Choosing this agency is worth it because you are gaining access to the most authoritative source of Animal Health and Disease Management expertise in the state, directly backed by the federal government. If you plan to travel with a pet and require an official Health Certificate, or if you are a producer concerned with Disease Management and traceability, this is the authoritative institution. The Ames office is strategically positioned at the nexus of the National Centers for Animal Health, ensuring that the services provided—from Rabies Vaccination compliance to complex Emergency Management—are based on world-class diagnostic science. The expertise of the staff and the critical nature of their work in safeguarding Iowa’s agriculture and facilitating safe pet travel makes this facility an invaluable, non-negotiable component of our state’s public and animal health infrastructure. Always remember that Appointments recommended is the key to efficient service at this high-level regulatory facility.

USDA Veterinary Services

1800 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA