Where to Adopt a Cat in Illinois? Pet Adoption and Fostering Options
- Abi
- April 8, 2023
- 7:28 pm
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Where to adopt a cat in Illinois? We’ve listed all the shelters, humane societies, and animal rescues in the state and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about adoption.
Before bringing a new cat into your home, it is vital to ensure the space is safe and comfortable for the animal. There should be no dangerous items, such as toxic house plants or chemicals, in reach of the cat. You’ll also need to provide a litter box and scratching post for their use.
It is essential to give your cat time to adjust to their new home; avoid overwhelming them with love and attention at first, and instead, allow them to acclimate in their own time. Additionally, have food and water dishes readily available, toys, and a comfortable bed. Let’s look at where to adopt a cat in Illinois.
Where to adopt a cat in Illinois?

Catnap From the Heart, 1101 Beach Ave, La Grange Park, IL 60526 Tel: +1 708-352-3914
Sangamon County, 2100 Shale St, Springfield, IL 62703 Tel: +1 217-535-3065
A.D.O.P.T Pet Shelter, 420 Industrial Dr, Naperville, IL 60563 Tel: +1 630-355-2299
Cat Guardians, 932 E Saint Charles Rd, Lombard, IL 60148 Tel: +1 630-543-3395
Friendly and Feral Cat Rescue, 1375 N Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195 Tel: +1 847 394 0260
Peoria County Animal Protection, 2600 NE Perry Ave, Peoria, IL 61603 Tel:+1 309-672-2440
Humane Society of Decatur and Macon County, 3373 N Woodford St, Decatur, IL 62526 Tel: +1 217-876-0000
Humane Society of Southern Illinois, 95 Humane Rd, Murphysboro, IL 62966 Tel: +1 618-457-2362
St Clair County Animal Services, 1250 S 11th St, Belleville, IL 62226 Tel: +1 618-235-0585
Benld Adopt-A-Pet, 807 Stewart Ave, Benld, IL 62009 Tel: +1 217-835-2538
Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd, Springfield, IL 62702 Tel:+1 217-544-7387
The Barn on Baseline Animal Shelter, 16173 Base Line Rd, Genoa, IL 60135 Tel: +1 815-784-5924
Fur Keeps Animal Rescue, 142 Old Dundee Rd, Barrington, IL 60010 Tel:+1 847-381-8458
Wright-Way Rescue, 5915 Lincoln Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053 Tel: +1 847-728-5434
Champaign County Humane Society, 4003 Kearns Dr, Champaign, Illinois 61822 Tel:+1 217-344-7297
Wags to Wishes Animal Rescue, 23907 W Industrial Dr N, Plainfield, IL 60585 Tel:+1 815-254-3110
The Anti Cruelty Society, 157 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654 Tel: +1 312-644-8338
The Catcade, 1235 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 Tel:+1 773-857-0613
Harmony House for Cats, 2914 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 Tel:+1 773-293-6103
Tree House Humane Society, 7225 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 Tel:+1 773-262-4000
New Beginnings for Cats, 7701 E 3500N Rd, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 Tel: +1 815-472-4734
St Sophia’s Forgotten Felines, 525 W Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 Tel:+1 847-773-7639
Fat Cat Rescue, 15290 Rosecrans Rd Il Rte 173, Wadsworth, IL 60099 Tel:+1 224-303-4328
A.R.F Animal Rescue Foundation, 531 W Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, Il 60189 Tel:+1 630-200-3828
Where to adopt a cat in Illinois: FAQs
If you’ve been looking into fostering or adoption, you’ll likely have some questions; it’s best to ask individual shelters as their policies may vary slightly. Here are some of the most common questions that potential adoptees have:
What are the available adoption and fostering options if I cannot commit to full-time care?
Many shelters offer short-term fostering programs or ‘trial periods’ so that you can see if the cat is a good fit for your home before committing to full adoption. Humane societies may also have ‘buddy’ or ‘foster-to-adopt’ programs, allowing you to care for cats in need while preparing them for their permanent home.
Are there any additional costs associated with adopting or fostering cats?
Generally, the cost of adopting a cat from a shelter is minimal and may include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and other necessary medical treatments. However, each shelter may have additional costs associated with its adoption process. Additionally, if you decide to foster a cat, it is vital to ensure that the animal shelter provides proper care for the cats in your charge, including food and necessary medical care.
How will I know which type of cat is right for me or my family?
When selecting a cat to adopt or foster, it is important to consider both your lifestyle and the cat’s needs. If you have other animals in your home, ensure they are compatible with cats.
Consider the cat’s activity level and whether it will fit into your family’s lifestyle. If you are unsure, many shelters have volunteers available to help guide you in selecting an appropriate pet for your family.
Where to adopt a cat in Illinois: Final thoughts
If you have space in your life for a cat, adoption may be the best choice for your family. Sadly Illinois has many shelters full of neglected and abandoned animals that deserve a second chance at life. Before bringing your new pet home, ensure you have everything you need to care for a new cat or kitten correctly. Check out our new kitten checklist, where we’ve listed everything your new pet will need.