Thinking about adopting? Then think Chicago Pet Rescue!
If you're looking for a pet, please rescue! Until there are none, please adopt one.
When adopting from CPR you can rest assured that any companion animal adopted from Chicago Pet Rescue has had the individualized love of a foster home or socialization from our volunteers.
When you adopt from us, your new pet will already have been used to a family environment/humans, allowing them to become a great family addition. This attention to detail is very important to anyone who wants to enjoy many years of bliss with their new pet!
Health
All of our animals are healthy upon adoption. If needed they have been examined by a veterinarian and received all the appropriate vaccinations for their age. If they are too young to be spayed or neutered before adoption, we can give you information of where to get a discounted surgery thru one of our CPR partner vets.
Illinois Law
Chicago Pet Rescue complies with all Illinois Department of Agriculture state laws governing the adoption of animals.
Adoption Fee
Your adoption fee helps to cover most animal expenses incurred to make your pet happy, healthy and ready for adoption. Read more about adoption fees.
Adoption Requirements
Our adopters must be at least 21 years of age, live in within 1 hour of the Chicago Area (60631) for dogs. We do NOT adopt to out of state applicants. Please provide landlord or condo associations contact information to verify that you are allowed to have the pet you are applying for and willing to complete the interview and home check process. Read more about our adoption process and policies. Or you can put in an adoption application.
When adopting from CPR you can rest assured that any companion animal adopted from Chicago Pet Rescue has had the individualized love of a foster home or socialization from our volunteers.
When you adopt from us, your new pet will already have been used to a family environment/humans, allowing them to become a great family addition. This attention to detail is very important to anyone who wants to enjoy many years of bliss with their new pet!
Health
All of our animals are healthy upon adoption. If needed they have been examined by a veterinarian and received all the appropriate vaccinations for their age. If they are too young to be spayed or neutered before adoption, we can give you information of where to get a discounted surgery thru one of our CPR partner vets.
Illinois Law
Chicago Pet Rescue complies with all Illinois Department of Agriculture state laws governing the adoption of animals.
Adoption Fee
Your adoption fee helps to cover most animal expenses incurred to make your pet happy, healthy and ready for adoption. Read more about adoption fees.
Adoption Requirements
Our adopters must be at least 21 years of age, live in within 1 hour of the Chicago Area (60631) for dogs. We do NOT adopt to out of state applicants. Please provide landlord or condo associations contact information to verify that you are allowed to have the pet you are applying for and willing to complete the interview and home check process. Read more about our adoption process and policies. Or you can put in an adoption application.
Here are our most frequently-asked questions about adopting a pet.
Why do I have to fill out an adoption application?
Chicago Pet Rescue puts much more than just money into our pets. They are treated as a member of OUR family. We want to ensure the pet you want to adopt is the right fit for your family as well. We use the adoption application, vet reference check and virtual in-home interview to ensure this.
Where may I meet the pets available for adoption?
Chicago Pet Rescue does not have a shelter. Our pets are either in foster homes or local pet stores. Appointments for meet-and-greets will only be set after an adoption application has been completed and reviewed by our adoption coordinator. Pets may also appear at any of our public events each month. Visit our event calendar for dates.
What is a virtual home visit and why is it required?
A virtual home visit is an in-home video chat, pre-adoption interview. You will video chat with a Chicago Pet Rescue volunteer so you can show them around your home and they might suggest ways to improve your environment to get it ready for the animal. This is to verify the information provided on the adoption application as well as explain our adoption policies. This also helps you to pet proof your environment before bringing home your new friend.
How long before I may adopt my pet?
Our organization is run by volunteers only, we do NOT have paid staff. As such, applications are reviewed soon as a volunteer is available, and adoptions may take 2 to 5 days to complete. This may seem like a long time for you, however, we want to ensure our pets are going to the best homes for them. Please be patient.
Do you allow for out-of-area adoptions?
We do NOT allow adoptions to homes outside of the Chicagoland area.
We want a pet, but not indoors.
If you are intending to keep the pet as a yard pet, we will typically deny the application. Our pets are raised as indoor animals, and our foster homes spend a tremendous amount of time socializing them. In some cases, we receive pets that are conditioned
or indoor/outdoor or outdoor living only. The information will be located in the pet’s profile. We also highly recommend you visit your local animal control facility to rescue an animal from there; however, most animal control facilities require animals be released only to a licensed rescue organization.
Is this pet still available for adoption?
Our available animals page is updated frequently. Pets that have adoptions pending will have a note at the top of their profile page. If you are interested in a pet with litter mates, please include a second choice as we review applications in the order they are received, and your choice may already have an application pending review. Even if an adoption is pending, we will still accept applications in the event that the first one falls through.
Why do I need a veterinary reference?
We will call to check all vet references. If your current pets are not current on their shots or are not spayed/neutered, we may deny the application. It is important for your pet’s lifetime health that they receive their annual shots. Additionally, it is an Illinois state law that all pets, dogs and cats, be current on their rabies vaccination. It is also essential that pets are kept current on their monthly heartworm preventative. Heartworms are not only deadly to your pet, but the treatments to eliminate them far exceed the cost to prevent.
What if my pet gets sick after the adoption?
You are responsible for all medical care after the adoption agreement is signed, unless other arrangements have been made. You will receive copies of all veterinary records with your adoption contract so that your vet will know your pet’s medical history. If there are any health concerns with the pet you are adopting, the pet will remain in our care until our vet has given a clean bill of health. This may include kennel cough, skin issues, and parasites. Additionally, no pet will be released for adoption until after the spay and neuter has been completed unless too young (then we require new family to fix the pet no later than 6 months). This is in accordance with Illinois state laws regarding sterilization of pets from animal shelters and rescues.
Why is my pet microchipped?
All pets that are rescued through Chicago Pet Rescue are microchipped. This is a special program for shelter pets that provides information for your pet to be returned to you if he gets lost and ends up at animal control, a veterinary office or another rescue.
Why is the adoption fee so high?
The fee only covers a portion of our investment into the care of your adopted pet. Your pet has been part of a foster home environment where they have received love, socialization and training. In addition, pets are current on all vaccinations as needed for their age unless otherwise noted, microchipped, and spayed/neutered prior to adoption (if old enough), which averages $450 per pet. In the case of pets who have been treated for heartworms, this cost runs $300 to $600 per treatment. Taking all the costs of feeding and other supplies as well, our adoption fee is really very minimal.
Will the pet be spayed or neutered?
Per Chicago Pet Rescue’s mission, all pets 6 months and older that are healthy enough are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. If pet is not old enough, we can send you a list of vets that offer a low cost Spay/Neuter that can be used at one of our participating Vets.
What if my current pets are not spayed or neutered?
If the current pets in your home are not currently spayed or neutered, we will deny the application. Many territorial and behavior issues are related to unsterilization, and it can cause issues when a new pet is brought into the home. If you are interested in having your pet spayed/neutered so that you may adopt one of our pets, we will happily reconsider your application once proof of spay/neutered is provided.
What is your policy on declawing a cat?
CPR is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections. Medical proof will be required.
If you still have questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Chicago Pet Rescue puts much more than just money into our pets. They are treated as a member of OUR family. We want to ensure the pet you want to adopt is the right fit for your family as well. We use the adoption application, vet reference check and virtual in-home interview to ensure this.
Where may I meet the pets available for adoption?
Chicago Pet Rescue does not have a shelter. Our pets are either in foster homes or local pet stores. Appointments for meet-and-greets will only be set after an adoption application has been completed and reviewed by our adoption coordinator. Pets may also appear at any of our public events each month. Visit our event calendar for dates.
What is a virtual home visit and why is it required?
A virtual home visit is an in-home video chat, pre-adoption interview. You will video chat with a Chicago Pet Rescue volunteer so you can show them around your home and they might suggest ways to improve your environment to get it ready for the animal. This is to verify the information provided on the adoption application as well as explain our adoption policies. This also helps you to pet proof your environment before bringing home your new friend.
How long before I may adopt my pet?
Our organization is run by volunteers only, we do NOT have paid staff. As such, applications are reviewed soon as a volunteer is available, and adoptions may take 2 to 5 days to complete. This may seem like a long time for you, however, we want to ensure our pets are going to the best homes for them. Please be patient.
Do you allow for out-of-area adoptions?
We do NOT allow adoptions to homes outside of the Chicagoland area.
We want a pet, but not indoors.
If you are intending to keep the pet as a yard pet, we will typically deny the application. Our pets are raised as indoor animals, and our foster homes spend a tremendous amount of time socializing them. In some cases, we receive pets that are conditioned
or indoor/outdoor or outdoor living only. The information will be located in the pet’s profile. We also highly recommend you visit your local animal control facility to rescue an animal from there; however, most animal control facilities require animals be released only to a licensed rescue organization.
Is this pet still available for adoption?
Our available animals page is updated frequently. Pets that have adoptions pending will have a note at the top of their profile page. If you are interested in a pet with litter mates, please include a second choice as we review applications in the order they are received, and your choice may already have an application pending review. Even if an adoption is pending, we will still accept applications in the event that the first one falls through.
Why do I need a veterinary reference?
We will call to check all vet references. If your current pets are not current on their shots or are not spayed/neutered, we may deny the application. It is important for your pet’s lifetime health that they receive their annual shots. Additionally, it is an Illinois state law that all pets, dogs and cats, be current on their rabies vaccination. It is also essential that pets are kept current on their monthly heartworm preventative. Heartworms are not only deadly to your pet, but the treatments to eliminate them far exceed the cost to prevent.
What if my pet gets sick after the adoption?
You are responsible for all medical care after the adoption agreement is signed, unless other arrangements have been made. You will receive copies of all veterinary records with your adoption contract so that your vet will know your pet’s medical history. If there are any health concerns with the pet you are adopting, the pet will remain in our care until our vet has given a clean bill of health. This may include kennel cough, skin issues, and parasites. Additionally, no pet will be released for adoption until after the spay and neuter has been completed unless too young (then we require new family to fix the pet no later than 6 months). This is in accordance with Illinois state laws regarding sterilization of pets from animal shelters and rescues.
Why is my pet microchipped?
All pets that are rescued through Chicago Pet Rescue are microchipped. This is a special program for shelter pets that provides information for your pet to be returned to you if he gets lost and ends up at animal control, a veterinary office or another rescue.
Why is the adoption fee so high?
The fee only covers a portion of our investment into the care of your adopted pet. Your pet has been part of a foster home environment where they have received love, socialization and training. In addition, pets are current on all vaccinations as needed for their age unless otherwise noted, microchipped, and spayed/neutered prior to adoption (if old enough), which averages $450 per pet. In the case of pets who have been treated for heartworms, this cost runs $300 to $600 per treatment. Taking all the costs of feeding and other supplies as well, our adoption fee is really very minimal.
Will the pet be spayed or neutered?
Per Chicago Pet Rescue’s mission, all pets 6 months and older that are healthy enough are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. If pet is not old enough, we can send you a list of vets that offer a low cost Spay/Neuter that can be used at one of our participating Vets.
What if my current pets are not spayed or neutered?
If the current pets in your home are not currently spayed or neutered, we will deny the application. Many territorial and behavior issues are related to unsterilization, and it can cause issues when a new pet is brought into the home. If you are interested in having your pet spayed/neutered so that you may adopt one of our pets, we will happily reconsider your application once proof of spay/neutered is provided.
What is your policy on declawing a cat?
CPR is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections. Medical proof will be required.
If you still have questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Animals Adopted from Chicago Pet Rescue
2024= ? With your help possibilities are endless !
2020= 269 2021= 193 2022= 185 2023 = 173
2019= 193 2018= 154 2017= 121 2016 = 92 2015 = 114
2014= 138 2013= 106 2012= 150 2011 = 43 2010 = 2
2020= 269 2021= 193 2022= 185 2023 = 173
2019= 193 2018= 154 2017= 121 2016 = 92 2015 = 114
2014= 138 2013= 106 2012= 150 2011 = 43 2010 = 2
