ARL Afford-a-Care East
Des Moines, IA
At a glance
- Facility type
- Veterinary Practice
- Practice tier
- General
- Clinic type
- Standalone
- Operating status
- Operational
- Appointment model
- Both
- 24/7 care
- No
- Accepting new patients
- Yes
Species treated
Services
Amenities & accessibility
Overview
A full-service vet clinic providing pets with quality, affordable, compassionate care. We offer preventative care, on-site blood work, radiographs, and surgery
Founded by Dr. C. H. Burnham in 1977, what is now known as ARL Afford-a-Care East was opened because he felt that "a boy couldn't afford a dog". Since then, the clinics have evolved to provide affordable veterinary care across the Des Moines metro
Mission — Our clinic provides the best care for your pets through affordable prices, extended service hours, and experienced staff
Care capabilities
- End-of-life care
- In Clinic
Technology & equipment
Services in detail
Appointments & hours
Sunday: Closed; Monday: Closed; Tuesday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Closed 12-1 p.m. daily
Connect
Frequently asked
Is ARL Afford-a-Care East accepting new patients?+
Yes — ARL Afford-a-Care East is currently accepting new patients.
What services does ARL Afford-a-Care East offer?+
ARL Afford-a-Care East offers General Practice, Wellness, Vaccination, Spay Neuter, Surgery, Dentistry, Imaging, In House Lab, and more.
When was ARL Afford-a-Care East established?+
ARL Afford-a-Care East has served the Des Moines, IA community since 1977.
What reviewers say
The practice offers exceptionally affordable veterinary services and low-cost care that attracts many pet owners seeking budget-friendly options. The veterinary team is widely regarded as compassionate, knowledgeable, and capable of handling complex medical cases with genuine care. However, the patient experience is heavily impacted by severe administrative and operational hurdles, including extremely long wait times in vehicles, difficulty scheduling appointments, phones that are frequently unanswered, and occasional abrupt front desk interactions. While the medical care is praised, visitors should anticipate substantial wait times and crowded conditions.
Frequently praised for
Aggregated from reviewer feedback across multiple sources.
Practice Intel
Inside the full profile
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Ownership & corporate structure -
Team & DVM count -
Hiring & expansion signals -
Key contacts — owner & medical director -
Capability signals — gaps & confirmed services -
Review intelligence — sentiment, pricing & named staff
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Data as of July 2026. VetPulse aggregates public-record and licensing data; it does not represent the practice directly.