We are often contacted by individuals that are no longer able to maintain their dog as a part of their home. As a limited admission rescue that intakes directly from animal shelters, we are typically not able to accept animals directly from owners.

Prior to giving up your pet, we advise that you exhaust all resources to keep that animal as a part of your family. Often times we will hear from owners who feel badly that their dog has to be crated 8-10 hours/day, lives in a small apartment without a yard, or is experiencing some other life change that no longer allows for as much interaction with their pet as they previously had. However, in most circumstances, your dog will always fare better with you, even if that means being alone for extended periods or having a little less space than is ideal, than they will in a shelter environment. Even if your dog is lucky enough to be saved by a rescue or placed up for adoption at the shelter, the stress and transition of the new environment take a huge toll on your companion.

If though you have exhausted your resources and feel that relinquishing your pet is the only option, here are some suggestions for rehoming your animal:

1 Always screen new adopters with a vet reference check, personal reference check, and, ideally, a home check. We also advise that you use an adoption application; you are welcome to use our application as a general guideline for questions/information gathering.

2 Require a reasonable adoption fee. Dogs that are given away for free are far more likely to end up in the hands of a laboratory, dog fighter, or otherwise horrific situation. If you do not feel comfortable personally asking for a fee, ask that a $100 donation be made to your favorite shelter or rescue.

3 Have your pets vaccinated and spayed or neutered prior to placement. This way you help ensure that they are going to a loving home and not a backyard breeder. You can find low-cost spay neuter resources here: http://www.care-evanston.org/lowcost.htm

4 If you are unable to find a new home for your pet on your own, here is a list of no-kill shelters and rescues that may, depending upon their current space and protocol, be able to assist. Before getting discouraged that a rescue or shelter cannot take in your pet, please remember that there are limited resources, and shelters and rescues are inundated with animals in need.: http://www.nokillnetwork.org/d/Illinois