Ready to Adopt?
First, take the PAWS Chicago ComPETibility Quiz to find your new best friend. This 60-second quiz will find animals that will best fit your household and lifestyle.
- If you’ve already taken the quiz, look for an email with your ComPETibility scorecard and personalized link to finish your Adoption Application.
- Have you filled out an application in the past 6 months? If so, no need to fill out another one! Move on to scheduling your appointment for animals at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center or completing a Foster Pet Adoption Inquiry Form for animals in a foster home.
- If you haven't completed an application, or if it’s been more than 6 months since your last one, let's get started!
Next steps: After your ComPETibility Quiz and Adoption Application have been submitted, meet our adoptable animals. When you’ve found one that you love, schedule an adoption appointment at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center or complete a Foster Pet Adoption Inquiry Form for pets in a foster home. While we can’t place holds on adoptable animals, you’ll be able to meet some of the still-available animals at our Adoption Center during your appointment.
That’s it! If you don’t meet the perfect pet for you during your first appointment, please don’t hesitate to schedule another. Walk-ins are welcome at the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center. However, making an appointment is the most efficient way to adopt a pet.
- ComPETibility ratings are a point-in-time classification based on available information for that animal. Ratings are subject to change and do not replace the need for a plan for responsible pet ownership.
Adoption Requirements
To adopt a pet from PAWS Chicago, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a U.S. government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID
- Verify that you are allowed to have a pet of the breed and size where you currently live
- Be able to spend the time and resources necessary to provide the training, medical treatment and proper care for your pet
- Bring along all family members (including children) to meet your new cat or dog. Be sure to bring any resident dogs if you are adopting a dog.
- Be able to take the pet home on the day of adoption
- Be available to spend up to an hour with an Adoption Counselor to discuss the responsibility of owning a pet and making a lifetime commitment
- Spay or neuter any resident pets before you adopt. This is the most important thing you can do to help stop pet overpopulation, and also gives your pet many health and behavioral benefits!*
*We understand there are some responsible reasons why you might choose to not spay or neuter your pet. If that is the case in your home, please bring along the related veterinary records and ask to speak to a manager who will help determine whether we are able to approve your application to adopt.
Kitten Adoption Requirements
Looking to adopt a kitten? We have special adoption requirements for kittens 12 weeks or under. To help ensure a happy transition, you’ll need to adopt a second kitten, already have a friendly pet, or have experience owning a cat and work primarily from home. Read more on our kitten policy and learn why welcoming home two kittens instead of one is better for every family member!
Cat Adoption Benefits
- Spay/neuter surgery
- All age-appropriate vaccinations
- Microchip
- Starter supply of Purina-brand pet food
- A complimentary visit with a veterinarian through our partners at National Veterinary Associates (NVA) or VCA Animal Hospitals. Benefits for each hospital are outlined on your adoption certificates.*Restrictions Apply
- Support throughout your pet's lifetime
- Valuable corporate partner promotions and benefits
- The PAWS Chicago Lifetime Guarantee, if something happens to you or you can no longer care for your pet
| Age | Adoption Fee |
|---|---|
| Kittens 12 weeks & under | $175 ($150 ea. when adopting a pair) |
| Kittens 13 weeks to 1 year | $150 ($125 ea. when adopting a pair) |
| Cats 1-5 Years old | $100 |
| Cats 6-9 Years old | $75 |
| Cats 10+ Years old | $50 |
*The adoption fee submitted with the adoption contract will be processed the day the animal is adopted. PAWS will contact the adopter within two weeks for routine follow-up.
*If a cat or kitten is returned to PAWS within 30 days of adoption, the adopter is eligible to receive a 50% refund of the original adoption fee. In this case, the adopter will be responsible for bringing the cat back to PAWS at an arranged time. The adopter will also be responsible for all expenses, including medical, which may be incurred when the cat is adopted.
Dog Adoption Benefits
- Spay/neuter surgery
- All age-appropriate vaccinations
- Microchip
- One training class voucher for any class at the PAWS Chicago Training Center
- PAWS Chicago ID tag, leash and collar
- Starter supply of JustFoodForDogs-brand pet food
- A complimentary visit with a veterinarian through our partners at National Veterinary Associates (NVA) or VCA Animal Hospitals. Benefits for each hospital are outlined on your adoption certificates. *Restrictions Apply
- Support throughout your pet's lifetime
- Valuable corporate partner promotions and benefits
- The PAWS Chicago Lifetime Guarantee, if something happens to you or you can no longer care for your pet
| Age | Adoption Fee |
|---|---|
| Puppies under 4 months old | $550 |
| Puppies 4 months to 1 year | $500 |
| Dogs 1+ years old & under 20lbs | $450 |
| Dogs 1+ years old & 20 - 40lbs | $400 |
| Dogs 1+ years old & over 40lbs | $300 |
| Dogs 8+ years old | $200 |
| Required pair (dogs who must be adopted together) | $275 |
*The adoption fee submitted with the adoption contract will be processed the day the animal is adopted. PAWS will contact the adopter within two weeks for routine follow-up.
*If a dog or puppy is returned to PAWS within 30 days of adoption, the adopter is eligible to receive a 50% refund of the original adoption fee. In this case, the adopter will be responsible for bringing the dog back to PAWS at an arranged time. The adopter will also be responsible for all expenses, including medical, which may be incurred when the dog is adopted.