The Best Chicago, IL Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Dark Horse Dogs, NFP

An all breed foster based rescue saving dogs from our local open access shelters.

Chicago Canine Rescue

CCR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 2001 to help find permanent, loving homes for homeless dogs in our city. CCR has saved the lives of over 8,000 dogs while also finding their forever homes! Traditionally, these animals were automatically euthanized at area shelters. However, today, Chicago Canine Rescue exists to give many of these animals a second chance, too! CCR assists the animals that are the MOST vulnerable in our city ‚the dogs that are slated for euthanasia because they are too old, too young, too injured, have disabilities, or have simply been overlooked for too long by potential adopters at other shelters. We are committed to each dog who comes into our care and won't stop providing for them we find their perfect family! Though we are just one of many rescues in Chicago, our dogs are one in a million and we are committed to leaving no dog behind!

Community Animal Rescue Effort

Since 1987, Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.‚Ñ¢) has been promoting adoptions and care for cats and dogs. C.A.R.E. is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Our Adoption Center opened in the Summer of 2018 and is located north of Chicago at 4927 Main Street in Skokie, IL. C.A.R.E. offers a combined adoption center and foster home model to better serve the needs of homeless animals as well as potential adopters and the community. C.A.R.E. is licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture (License 14383). Our Philosophy

One Tail at a Time

One Tail at a Time began in 2008 as a small grassroots effort and has since evolved into a pillar of Chicago's animal welfare community. As of 2024, One Tail at a Time has rescued more than 11,300 animals, hosts a bustling pet adoption and foster program, community outreach initiatives in partnership with top human service organizations in our city, and leads the Chicagoland Rescue Intervention & Support Program, a local rescue coalition that is the only operating shelter diversion program at Chicago's largest intake shelter.

Evanston Animal Shelter

We give companion animals the best chance at the life they deserve through rehabilitation, foster care, adoption and community support that keeps pets with the people who love them.

Felines & Canines

Felines & Canines is located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. Our focus at F&C is to place safe, social and loving dogs and cats into permanent loving homes. We are best known for our exceptional care for both our animals and adopters, ground breaking program for FIV-positive cats, and creation of our nation's very first rescue and relocation facility - Felines & Canines Rescue Center.

Doggy Has Soul Sanctuary

We specialize in Rottweiler senior hospice care. Every now and then a puppy sneaks in. We work with high kill shelters to safe those that nobody else will come for. We also are very active in Aruba trying to help with the street dogs. We are rather small scale, but work very hard for every dog we take on.

Wright-Way Rescue

Wright-Way Rescue is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. Our mission is to reduce the number of homeless pet euthanized in the Midwest each year through an adoption program, community education, promotion of spaying and neutering, and a veterinary medicine program.

Anti-Cruelty

Anti-Cruelty is more than a shelter. We are a comprehensive animal welfare organization whose mission is to build healthy and happy community where pets and people thrive together. From our humble beginnings in 1899, we are now at the forefront of animal welfare and humane education. From our open door philosophy to our commitment to find a home for every adoptable animal we provide compassionate care for any animal in need.

Chicago Animal Care and Control

Chicago Animal Care and Control is equipped with a complete medical complex, full laboratory, radiology, and surgical capabilities for the care of its animals. Chicago Animal Care & Control veterinarians daily evaluate and treat the animals housed in the center.

PAWS Chicago

To build No Kill communities ‚starting with a No Kill Chicago ‚that respect and value the life of every cat and dog. To end the overpopulation of homeless animals through solutions, practices and education. To transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model.

Hinsdale Humane Society

Hinsdale Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization operating the Tuthill Family Pet Rescue & Resource Center, providing innovative care and adoption services for all animals, including those that are harder to place. We educate, advocate, and adopt out pets, acting as a voice for animals who depend on people for their care. We nurture the human-animal bond through community outreach and progressive programming, to help ensure the compassionate treatment of all animals.

Tiny N Tall Rescue Inc.

Tiny N Tall Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non for profit organization comprised of volunteers dedicated to providing temporary shelter, veterinary care and behavioral support for small and giant breed dogs as they transition into carefully selected homes. We rescue Tiny breeds under 25 pounds and Giant breeds. Our rescue is all foster based and we rely solely on donations. We provide medical care, shelter, a full belly and lots of LOVE to Tiny and Giant breed dogs. We have a great team of foster homes and volunteers that make this possible.

Caring Animal Rescue Inc.

Caring Animal Rescue Inc. is an incorporated, non-profit 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) no-kill International rescue organization dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse, and neglect of domesticated animals. Caring Animal Rescue Inc. is run entirely by compassionate like-minded individuals who volunteer their time and resources to help save the lives and care for these animals. We have two locations: Chicago, IL and Cairo, Egypt.

Animal Care League

Animal Care League is a limited admission shelter located in Oak Park. We help homeless cats, dogs and other small animals by providing them food, shelter, medical attention and love until we can find them a loving home. As a not-for-profit 501¬©3 organization, we depend on the generosity of our communities to help us meet our goals of finding new homes for as many animals as possible each year. If you are in interested in helping, please visit our ‚Supporting the ACL page.

The BoneYard Animal Rescue

The Bone Yard Animal Rescue was founded in February of 2014 by a group of dedicated volunteers who aim to make a difference for homeless, abused and abandoned animals. We will tirelessly strive to rescue, foster and do everything possible to improve the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. We will serve as a resource to our community and all pet owners by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training and good nutrition.

Illinois Shorthair Rescue

Illinois Shorthair Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, breed specific rescue group serving Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Our mission is to rescue German Shorthaired Pointers and educate the public about this amazing breed. We place them with responsible, loving families where they are cared for until we find them their forever home. We rescue GSPs from many circumstances: animal control facilities, humane societies, owner relinquish, puppy mills, and conditions involving cruelty and neglect. Our rescued dogs receive loving care and medical attention. They are fostered in private homes and live indoors as family companions while they wait for their forever homes. At Illinois Shorthair Rescue, we believe ALL unwanted and discarded German Shorthaired Pointers deserve the chance to find their special forever home. A special place where they will receive the love and care they deserve. Illinois Shorthair Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in northern Illinois. We were founded in 2005. Each year ISR finds homes for more than 60 orphaned GSPs. Our officers, directors, and foster homes are made up of volunteers who reside throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. We will consider applicants in adjacent states, assuming we have a volunteer available for a home visit. We cannot, however, do long distance adoptions. Our rescue efforts are managed out of our own homes and are juggled with our careers and family. Through telephone interviews, veterinary reference checks, and on-site home visits, ISR volunteers work extremely hard to place our dogs with the best suited family. Our goal is that the new home will be the dog’s final home. ISR’s expenses are funded through our adoption fees, fund-raising efforts, and donations. Your support is greatly appreciated, and your contributions are tax deductible.

Starfish Animal Rescue

Since 2006, we have been helping a rural high kill shelter in the mountains of Kentucky. The shelter averages 200 dogs and puppies EACH MONTH. Thus far, we have rescued over 4000 dogs, with an estimated breakdown of 1500 dogs and puppies per year. We owe many thanks for the help of our rescue partner, Safe Hands Animal Rescue in Minneapolis, MN. Safe Hands has been generous enough to donate many of the vaccines for all of the puppies that enter the shelter, ensuring that they are healthy and safe to transport. Because of this collaboration, we were able to half the euthanasia rate and triple the number of dogs rescued within the first year. We have also helped to establish a low cost spay/neuter program for the residents surrounding our project KY shelter. Due to its welcome by the community, it was instantly successful. In 2008 over 500 dogs and cats were sterilized. With continued preventative efforts, we hope to rapidly reduce the number of puppies and kittens coming into the shelter. We also have been participating in responsible rescue. Rescue goes beyond the individual animal being taken to safety. It is a priority that Starfish Animal Rescue keeps the big picture in mind. Each puppy or kitten comes from a breeding pair of animals. While the breeding pairs are not always surrendered to the shelter, we initiate, encourage and support their owners by providing medical attention and sterilization to these animals. We have also been fortunate to be able to provide donated dog and cat food for the shelter and the community when available. By providing these food donations, individuals can afford to feed their dogs that they otherwise would surrender to a shelter. We feel that long-term solutions are the most important goals of any responsible rescue.

K9 Enrichment Initiative, Inc.

We are a 501c3 animal rescue organization, licensed by the IL Department of Agriculture, which aims to complete families through the re-homing of shelter, abandoned and surrendered dogs. We believe, for every dog, there is a family and for every family, there is a dog. Each of our dogs is well prepared to join their family upon adoption and live quality lives as we carefully craft customized programs for each dog we intake. This prepares us and them to find the best match to complete a family as well as to enrich the dog’s life through medical care, behavior care, and training. Our mission extends beyond just the adoption stage and into all the years at that juncture. We believe homeless and surrendered dogs are not broken and with time and extraordinary efforts on the dogs part we can help them to be the best dog, they can be for the rest of their lives.People are individuals, unique with quirks, positive traits and not so positive traits; dogs are the same. If the world was filled with perfect people and perfect dogs; what a boring world it would be.

Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.)

Since 1987, Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.™) has been promoting adoptions and care for cats and dogs. C.A.R.E. is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Our Adoption Center opened in the Summer of 2018 and is located north of Chicago at 4927 Main Street in Skokie, IL. C.A.R.E. offers a combined adoption center and foster home model to better serve the needs of homeless animals as well as potential adopters and the community. C.A.R.E. is licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture (License 14383).

Midwest Working Dog Rescue

Our mission is to accept and place Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd into appropriate homes. We are first and foremost breed advocates only placing out sound, well rounded dogs into appropriate situations, whether that be an active companion home, sport home, or working opportunity. We will do our best to evaluate each dog in our care and determine that dog's appropriate placement. We are committed to providing long standing support for our adopters, which includes, but not limited to, referrals for approved trainers, sport dog clubs, and veterinary clinics.

Love You More Animal Rescue

Redemption Road Rescue Rehab Inc.

Redemption Road Rescue Rehab Inc (aka R4) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization based in Lake County, Illinois. R4 functions as an all breed and ages, dog and cat rescue that specializes in behavioral training and rehabilitation. We are a professionally operated nonprofit dog and cat rescue run by a certified dog trainer.

Will County Humane Society

As Will County’s original no-kill shelter we’ve been serving the area for over 40 years with a single purpose, provide a safe haven for homeless pets and help them find their forever home. Every day of the year we care for up to 25 homeless dogs and 50 cats looking for their forever homes. We provide for their general health care, shelter and well being through our network of volunteers and resources. It’s important that you know that we’re a private shelter 501(3)(c) not-for-profit that receives no federal or local government dollars to run our facility and care for pets. In fact the shelter relies on generous donations from people just like you to make it all happen.

Crème de la Crème Animal Foundation - The Therapy House

Créme de la Créme Animal Foundation - Therapy House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity registered in the state of Illinois. Many years before the start of the organization our founder, Lisa Marie Petrongelli, was an active member within the animal rescue world. After many years of dedication and fostering for other organizations, the time became right for Lisa to start a new organization. The organization is unique, as the mission strives to not only rescue animals, and educate the public about humane treatment to animals, but to incorporate animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions into the rescue work. Serving two great needs to the community. For over 10 years, at our previous location and farm sanctuary, we served as an adoption center and retirement community for dozens of animals great and small. Regardless of the species, we have taken in almost any animal in need, ranging from bison to horses, to cats, dogs and reptiles. Our dog and cat population are among our current adoptable animals. Our rescue cycle typically involves the process and costs of intake, vaccinations, spay/neuter, appropriate diet, preventative medications, chronic illness medications and the emotional healing and rehabilitation of the animals. Our organization is desiccated to the following goals: • Through the efforts of Therapy House, we provide and promote AAT with rescued animals to facilitate healing for all people in need. • Rescue stray and relinquished animals from animal shelters that have not been adopted and are scheduled to be euthanized. • Provide a cage-free adoption center and sanctuary where rescued pets can be safely sheltered without the threat of euthanization until adoptive families are found for them, or where they may live out their days surrounded by the best care while in our care. • Provide medical care to neglected, abused and injured animals. • Rehabilitate hard-to-adopt animals and those with special needs and find them loving homes. • Educate children and adults alike on responsible pet guardianship. • Create an alliance with local shelters and animal rescues to improve the adoption rate of all animals.

Heartland Animal Shelter

Dr. Herbert Preiser, DVM and founder of Heartland Animal Shelter, wanted to make a difference by saving the lives of pets who might otherwise be euthanized due to overpopulation. Driven to make a change, Dr. Preiser opened Heartland Animal Shelter in 2002 Heartland's staff and volunteers are committed to giving our pets everything they need to be healthy and loved. Heartland rescues pets from various situations and each pet arrives with their own unique needs. some of our pets require medical care, some require emotional support, some require behavioral help, and all require good old tender loving care.

Mutts of the Midway

Mutts of the Midway is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dog rescue based on the southwest side of Chicago. We are foster-based which means we do not have a facility and instead rely on people to give dogs a loving home while we search for their family. The Mutts team is made up of fosters, adopters, donors, volunteers and supporters that believe every dog deserves a home.

Turbo Kees Foundation

Midwest Australian Shepherd Rescue

At Midwest Australian Shepherd Rescue we rescue Aussies and working dogs in need throughout the midwest. We're on a mission to connect these stunning dogs with the perfect families. Our Origin Tale Once upon a doggy dream, two incredible humans, Amy Pieniazkiewicz-Grude and Karen Kramel-Kammerich, crossed paths with one mission: to help working dogs in need. They joined forces in 2021, taking action when they heard that another Aussie rescue was throwing in the leash. The call was urgent and The Midwest (IL, IN, IA, MI, MO, MN, WI) needed Aussie-saving superheroes to fill the void. MASR was born in July 2021, donning its 501c3 cape in October of the same year. Since then, we've been on a relentless mission to rescue Aussies, Aussie mixes, and herding breeds in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Karen Kramel-Kammerich Karen has been doing rescue work since 2011. She is owned by a blue merle named Captain who keeps her on her toes. She lost her Aussie sidekick Katy in 2022 who was Epileptic. She is married to her best friend Wayne and they live in central MO. Amy Pieniazkiewicz-Grude Amy has been doing rescue work since 2010. She is owned by 3 Aussies and a Border Collie. Her kids are named, Tootsie, Lace, Linkin and Forest. She is married to her best friend Marc and lives in Northern IL.

SAYv Animal Organization

SAYv Animal Organization (pronounced "save") is a startup animal welfare organization focused on supporting, creating and executing life-SAYving solutions for homeless animals in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Aruba. ​ SAYv is 100% foster-based and volunteer-run. We are currently based in Plainfield, IL, but have operations (aka fosters and volunteers) in Chicagoland and the surrounding suburbs.​ OUR RESCUE WORK We save and place abandoned and homeless animals. Unfortunately, since we are a start-up organization with limited funds, we aren't able to take in all of the more challenging cases that we'd like to, but we know this will be easier once we get a solid financial base and network. We fully intend to help open-admission shelters save ALL at-risk animals, including major medical and seniors.​ Based on our experience, rescue efforts cost an average of $1,000 per animal. Some may be $500 (roughly the bare minimum of basic medical care and spay/neuter), and some may cost $7,000. We do not want to risk not being able to afford medical care for an animal that needs it. ​ We would like to prioritize animals that are facing the greatest risk of euthanasia, and support open-admission shelters with low save rates.