Owner Surrender

We are not licensed by the State of Illinois to take in stray animals. They must be surrendered to your local animal control center where they can stay for a required stray holding period. This gives their families the chance to come forward and claim them. If their owners cannot be found, animal control will make make every effort to place them in loving homes through adoption or transfer them to a no-kill shelter like A.D.O.P.T.

Please note that we are very fortunate to be in a community where many animal controls are dedicated to rescuing strays and placing them in loving homes through adoption or transferring them to no-kill shelters like A.D.O.P.T.

Yes—when space allows, we accept owner-surrendered dogs, cats, and small animals. All surrenders are by appointment only and require prior approval.

Please complete our Owner Surrender Request Form (available online or in person). Once submitted, a staff member will contact you to review next steps and determine availability.

Sometimes. We are a limited-admission shelter, and space is dependent on current capacity and the pet’s individual needs.

Yes. A surrender fee helps cover the cost of veterinary care, food, housing, and behavioral support:

• Dogs: $100
• Cats: $100
• Litters: $200
• Small animals: $50

We will never turn away an animal based solely on inability to pay—please speak with us if financial assistance is needed.