Adoption Process | PAWS Chicago


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!

    Dog ComPETibility Quiz

    Cat ComPETibility Quiz

    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!

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Cat Adoption Benefits

  • Spay/neuter surgery
  • All age-appropriate vaccinations
  • Microchip
  • Starter bag 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
  • With every adoption, PAWS Chicago offers a complimentary “Pet Basics: Cats 101” Zoom session to help ease the transition of bringing a new pet home. Hosted by a PAWS volunteer, every 45-minute class is packed with useful information, including how to introduce a new pet into your home and what to expect as your pet settles in. 
Age Adoption Fee
Kittens 12 weeks & under $175 ($300 for two kittens)
Kittens 13 weeks to 1 year  $150 ($250 for two kittens)
Cats 1-5 Years old $100
Cats 6-9 Years old $75
Cats 10+ Years old $50

 

Through a partnership with the Pets for the Elderly Foundation, PAWS is pleased to provide a $50 adoption fee discount for adults age 60 and over.  

Dog Adoption Benefits

  • Spay/neuter surgery
  • All age-appropriate vaccinations
  • Microchip
  • PAWS Chicago ID tag, leash and collar
  • Starter bag 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
  • With every adoption, PAWS Chicago offers a complimentary “Pet Basics: Dogs 101” Zoom session to help ease the transition of bringing a new pet home. Hosted by a PAWS volunteer, every 45-minute class is packed with useful information, including how to introduce a new pet into your home and what to expect as your pet settles in. 
Age Adoption Fee
Puppies 12 weeks & under $395 Adoption Fee + $100 PAWS Training Deposit ($495 total)
Puppies over 12 weeks to 1 year $350 Adoption Fee + $100 PAWS Training Deposit ($450 total)
Dogs 1+ years old under 40lbs $300 Adoption Fee + $100 PAWS Training Deposit ($400 total)
Dogs 1+ years old 40lbs and up  $250 Adoption Fee + $100 PAWS Training Deposit ($350 total)
Dogs 8+ (any weight) $200 Adoption Fee 

 

Through a partnership with the Pets for the Elderly Foundation, PAWS is pleased to provide a $50 adoption fee discount for adults age 60 and over. 

The $100.00 Training Deposit which is refundable upon completion of PAWS Chicago positive reinforcement obedience training. You will have four months from the date of the adoption to complete a PAWS Chicago positive reinforcement class with your new puppy/dog. When you provide proof that your PAWS dog has completed a PAWS course, we will reimburse you the $100.00 deposit you submitted at the time of adoption.