October was the American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month. Did you adopt a new pooch? If not, it’s never too late to bring home a new friend. Dogs will always wait to greet you at the door, cuddle with you when you’re sad, and lend a floppy ear (with no judgmental feedback) when you need someone to listen to you. Chicago offers a few great places to go to and meet your new best friend.

(credit: pawschicago.org)

PAWS Chicago

1997 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-935-PAWS
Fax: 773-549-5760
Email: adoptions@pawschicago.org
www.pawschicago.org
Hours: Monday – Friday 12 -7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Founded in 1997, PAWS Chicago has been trying to build a No Kill Chicago. Located in Lincoln Park, PAWS will find homes for over 4,400 pets in 2011. Pets at the adoption center are kept in a cageless environment where adopters can meet with staff who can provide guidance in finding the right pet for you. Visit their website to view the dogs they have available now for adoption. They also include a short video of some of their dogs so you can get to see them in action.

Adopt Tessa! (credit: anticruelty.org)

The Anti-Cruelty Society

157 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-644-8338
Fax: 312-644-3878
Email: info@anticruelty.org
www.anticruelty.org
Hours: Monday – Friday 12 – 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.

The Anti-Cruelty Society has been caring for animals since 1899. Since 1999, they have found homes for 40,000 pets. If you are interested in adopting a dog, you can visit their website first and view the dogs they have available. Then visit their adoption center and walk around. Each dog will have a sheet on their cage explaining a little bit about their personality and who they are best fit for. If you are interested, you are allowed to take the dog out with the help of staff to play around.

Adopt me! (credit: animalwelfareleague.com)

Animal Welfare League

10305 Southwest Highway
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
Phone: 708-636-8586
Fax: 708-636-9488
www.animalwelfareleague.com
Hours: Monday – Friday 12 – 8 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Animal Welfare League is Chicagoland’s largest humane society and has been caring for animals for over 75 years. While they do list all of their animals on their website that are for adoption, some of them do not have photos, and they suggest coming in with your whole family to walk around and meet their dogs. If you have found a dog you’d like to take home, and you already have a dog at home, they suggest bringing in your dog for a “pet introduction.” Also some of their larger breeds may require a “house check” where a staff member will come to your home to make sure you have the space for a large breed.

(credit: hinsdalehumanesociety.org)

Hinsdale Humane Society

22 N. Elm St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Phone: 630-323-5630
www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org
Hours: Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 2 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday – Friday: 12 – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Hinsdale Humane Society is a nonprofit that has been around for 57 years in the western suburbs. Their claim to fame is being home to Morris the Cat. If you are interested in adopting, feel free to head over and view their dogs for adoption. (They are also listed on their website.) They are very particular about not sticking your fingers in the cages so you don’t spread anything from one dog to another. It may be hard to do when you see how cute they are. If you are interested in taking one home, you are able to take the dogs out with the help of staff.

(credit: care-evanston.org)

C.A.R.E. for the Evanston Animal Shelter

2310 Oakton St.
Evanston, IL 60202
Voicemail: 847-705-2653
www.care-evanston.org
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6 – 8 p.m.
Friday: closed
Saturday – Sunday: 12 – 3:30 p.m.

Since 1987, C.A.R.E, an all volunteer organization, has been working in conjunction with Evanston’s municipal animal shelter to find homes for the many unwanted pets that are brought in. During the weekends and weekday evenings over one hundred volunteers take care of their shelter animals. They have limited hours that they are open to the public, but after viewing their dogs on their website, feel free to head on over and meet them in person.

Looking for a specific breed?

There are a lot of pure breed dogs out there that are looking for what they call their “forever home.” For whatever reason, their original owner had to give them up to a rescue society. Most dogs are staying in a foster home right now and are waiting for you to adopt them. If you’re looking for a Labrador (my favorite!) you can try contacting Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue. But most breeds have a rescue society taking them in. Just Google the breed you’re looking for plus “rescue Illinois” and something should pop up for you. There are plenty of dogs out there waiting to share their love and wagging tail with you.