Please Note…

We do not adopt out of state. Our Adoption Range is within the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs. However, if we have had a Sweetie for a long time or he/she has special needs (medical or behavioral), we will go to the MOON to make that match!

If an Adoption does not work out for whatever reason and no matter how long it has been since the adoption (even 1, 2, 5+ years), you MUST return him/her to Survivors for Strays. You cannot give them away (not even to a family member or friend with good intentions - just because someone feels sorry for your situation does not make them the right fit), leave them at a shelter/animal control, etc. Please get in touch with us right away. We might need to have you hold onto your adopted dog or cat for a few days to allow us to find a space for him/her, but we can work with you in a dire emergency. Bonded pairs must be returned together. This is in the Adoption Contract that you sign.

When adopting a dog / puppy, they are required to be signed up within the first three weeks after adoption for a training class that will take place within the first three months after the adoption. There is a $50 refundable training deposit added to the adoption fee that you will get back once you have completed the full course and provided us with a graduation certificate.

We cannot “hold” our adoptables for anyone. If you are approved, you need to be prepared to move forward with your new furry family member coming home as soon as scheduling with the Foster Family is possible. We have been burned before with people going on vacation, moving, etc., and then changed their minds. That was time lost for our adoptable dog or cat to go to a Forever Family AND a life was lost without that open Foster Home.

We do not do payment plans. Besides the fact that we have been burned before, if you cannot afford an adoption fee, how can you afford to provide basic care or emergency care? Adoption fees go towards the care and medical expenses of our Sweeties. They are important to us because care for each adoptable exceeds the individual adoption fee.

We are your Lifetime Partner on the microchip and have your back if your Sweetie gets lost. We remain as a contact - the more the merrier when it comes to recovering your Forever Family member! We have a time-sensitive protocol in place and are available for emergencies 24/7 for LIFE!

While you may be a fabulous pet parent, we determine if the dog or cat that you have chosen (if you are approved) is the right match for your current situation. If this is not the case, we will suggest that you meet a different Adorable Adoptable in our care that might fit your family better.

Please be as honest as possible on your application in order to help make a match that will last forever (see Before You Adopt).

Ready to apply?