Adoption Process

The Adoption Process

Thank you for considering Will County Humane Society for the adoption of your new furry friend. Will County Humane Society is Will County’s oldest no-kill shelter, and typically we house up to 25 dogs and 50 cats. We are dedicated to our pets for their entire lives.

A basic rundown of our adoption process is as follows:

• Visit our adoptable cats and/or dogs pages to view pets available for adoption from Will County Humane Society.
• Complete an online application (or paper application at the shelter office) to apply to become an approved adopter.
• Allow ~1 week for processing. Please monitor your email inbox for correspondence regarding your application.
• Once approved, a viewing appointment will be scheduled for the household. We ask all members of the household to be present for the appointment so everyone can meet the animals. (If there are dogs present in the home, we ask that you bring your dog(s) with to meet the dog you intend to adopt.)
• Cats and kittens can be brought home the day of your viewing appointment or placed on hold for adoption at a later date.
• Dogs and puppies can be placed on hold for adoption the day of your viewing appointment. An in-home visit will be scheduled with the dog and one of our adoption staff members.

Adoption Fees

Adoption Policies

Will County Humane Society has made the decision to conduct all viewings of adoptable animals by appointment only with approved adopters. We are dedicated to matching our adoptable pets to potential adoptive families. By conducting viewing appointments, we are able to set aside time to dedicate to each adoptive family and any pets that may be a potential good fit for them.

To adopt a cat or dog from WCHS you should…

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Live within 60 minutes of the shelter.
• Have a form of identification (license or state ID).
• Verify that you are allowed to have a pet of the species, breed, and size where you currently live.
• Provide a comprehensive history of prior pet ownership, along with veterinary care information.
• Be able to spend the time and resources necessary to provide the training, medical treatment and proper care for your pet.
• Bring along all family members to meet the cats and dogs. (Dogs currently residing in the home should be brought to the shelter as well to meet our dogs)
• Understand that there is a $150.00 adoption donation required per adult cat or $200.00 for kittens. Understand that there is a $350.00 adoption donation required for adult dogs and a $400.00 adoption fee for puppies. We accept cash, debit or credit for payments. Donations are non-refundable.
• Understand that any pets adopted unaltered require an additional $100 deposit, the deposit is returned to the adopters via check once proof of completed surgery is provided. This procedure is financially covered by the shelter as part of the adoption fee.
• Have the time to spend up to an hour with an adoption counselor to discuss the responsibility of owning a pet and making it a lifetime commitment.
• Have the time to spend with an adoption counselor for a home visit prior to adoption of a dog.

Adoption Application

1

2

Applicant Information

Name *

First

Middle

Last

Applicant’s First, MI, Last

Maiden Name

Applicant’s Maiden Name – If Applicable

Date of Birth *

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Applicant’s Date of Birth

Phone Number *

Best Number to Reach Applicant

Can we text this number? *

• Yes
• No

Email *

Email

Confirm Email

Best Email to Reach Applicant

Applicant

Employment Information

Employment Status of Applicant *

• Employed
• Unemployed
• Retired

Employer *

Occupation *

How many days a week do you work? *

Applicant’s days worked per week

How many hours a day do you work? *

Applicant’s hours worked per day

Would you like to add a co-applicant? *

• Yes
• No

Co-Applicant Information

Name

First

Middle

Last

Co-Applicant’s First, MI, Last

Maiden Name

Co-Applicant’s Maiden Name- If Applicable

Date of Birth

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Co-Applicant’s Date of Birth

Phone Number

Best Number to Reach Co-Applicant

Can we text this number?

• Yes
• No

Email

Email

Confirm Email

Best Email to Reach Co-Applicant

Co-Applicant

Employment Information

Employment Status of Co-Applicant

• Employed
• Unemployed
• Retired

Employer

Co-Applicant’s employer

Occupation

Co-Applicant’s occupation

How many days a week do you work?

Co-applicant’s days worked per week

How many hours a day do you work?

Co-applicant’s hours worked per day

Household Information

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Please select the type of residence that best describes your home. *

• Single Family Home
• Condo/Townhome
• Apartment
• Mobile Home

Do you own or rent your residence? *

• Own
• Rent

NOTICE: Any applicants who rent their residence will be required to provide us with either a full copy of their lease with pet addendums, or contact infromation for their landlord/property owner prior to their viewing appointment.

Have you researched your landlord/property manager's pet policies and restrictions?

• Yes
• No

Landlord/Property Manager Name

Contact Number for Landlord/Property Manager

Do you have a fenced yard? *

• Yes
• Partial
• No

If yes, please describe your fence.

(i.e. material used, height, etc.)

Has anyone living in your home ever been convicted of a felony? *

• Yes
• No

Does anyone living in your home have pet allergies? *

• Yes
• No

If yes, please describe the pet allergies:

What is the total number of people living in your household? *

Please type the total number of people living in your household, including the applicant(s).

Please list the name, age and date of birth of each person living in your household below. *

Personal References

Please list (2) personal references who ARE NOT related to you who knows, or has known, your pets both current and past. If you have never owned a pet, please list (2) personal references who can vouch for you.

Reference #1 *

First

Last

Reference #1 Phone *

How do you know Reference #1? *

• Friend/Acquaintance
• Supervisor/Employer
• Co-worker
• Vet
• Trainer/Behaviorist

Reference #2 *

First

Last

Reference #2 Phone *

How do you know Reference #2? *

• Friend/Acquaintance
• Supervisor/Employer
• Co-worker
• Vet
• Trainer/Behaviorist

Have you ever completed an application to adopt, foster, or volunteer at another animal shelter, or other rescue organization? *

• Yes
• No

Name of Animal Shelter, or Rescue Organization

Animal Shelter/Rescue Organization Phone Number

What was the outcome of this application?

Next

What would happen to your pet if you move locally, or out of state? *

What would cause you to return your pet to WCHS? *

A cat or dog can live anywhere from 8-18 years depending on their age, breed, size and various health related factors. An estimated average total cost of $1,000-$1,500 can be expected for owning a cat or dog. This amount may increase if your pet becomes ill, injured, or if they develop medical conditions later in life. Are you ready and willing to make these long term commitments to a pet? *

• Yes
• No

What type of vet care do you feel is appropriate? (What shots/testing, and how often?) *

What would you consider an acceptable amount of time for your pet to adjust to their new home? *

How many hours will your pet be alone while you are working? *

Does your household have experience in owning pets? *

• Yes
• No

What kind of pet are you looking to adopt? *

• Cat
• Dog

Please describe what you are looking for in your next pet. (Specific age, size, breed, temperament) *

This is to help us ensure that we have pets that fit your needs before scheduling your appointment!

Are there any specific adoptable pets from WCHS that you are interested in? *

• Yes
• No

If yes, please list their name(s):

Please answer these questions if you are applying to adopt a Dog, or puppy

How do you plan to exercise your pet? (Walks, Dog Park, Agility, etc.)

What kind of training do you plan to implement with your pet, if any? (Crate, Obedience, etc.)

Do you have the time, patience, and financial means to address unforeseen issues such as excessive barking, chewing, marking or accidents in the house, digging, nipping/mouthing behavior and separation anxiety?

• Yes
• No

Are you willing to seek help from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist if needed, and take financial responsibility for such services?

• Yes
• No

Please answer these questions if you are applying to adopt a Cat, or kitten

Where will your cat live?

• Indoors
• Outdoors
• Both Indoors and Outdoors

Are you prepared to feline proof your home? (i.e. removing dangerous house plants, hiding wires and cords, and other hazardous items in your home)

• Yes
• No

If you are a previous cat owner, have you declawed any of your previous cats?

• Yes
• No

Are you planning to declaw your new pet?

• Yes
• No

If you are planning to declaw your new cat, or have declawed in the past, please explain your reasons why.

What will you do to prevent your feline from scratching on your furniture or carpet?

Do you currently own any pets? *

• Yes
• No

CURRENT Pets (Dogs and Cats)

Please provide the name, species, breed, age and gender of each pet currently living in the household, along with how long you have cared for them.
(Example:
1. Mookie, Dog, Pitbull Mix, ~9 years old, spayed female. Owned for 2 years
2. Cheese, Cat, DSH, ~4.5 years old, spayed female. Owned for 4 years)

Veterinary Information for CURRENT Pets

Please provide the name, city, state, zip code and phone number for all vet clinics used for your current pets’ veterinary care.
(Example: Animal Hospital, Shorewood, IL, 60404, 123-456-7890)

Have you owned any pets in the last 5 years? *

• Yes
• No

PAST Pets (Dogs and Cats)

Please provide the name, species, breed, age and gender of pets you have owned in the last 5 years. Please include how long you cared for them and why you no longer own them.
(Example:
1. Charlie, Dog, Chihuahua Mix, ~12 years old, neutered male. Owned for 10 years, no longer own due to passing of old age.)

Veterinary Information for PAST Pets

Please provide the name, city, state, zip code and phone number for all vet clinics used for your pets owned in the last 5 years.
(Example: Animal Hospital, Shorewood, IL, 60404, 123-456-7890)

If I currently own or have owned pets in the last 5 years, I give permission for Will County Humane Society to contact my veterinary clinic(s) for a vet reference and to obtain information regarding my pets' history of veterinary care by checking the box below. *

• I agree.

By checking this box below, I understand that Will County Humane Society will conduct background checks, reference checks, and thorough vet checks with my veterinarians. I agree that Will County Humane Society has the right to approve or deny any adoption application based on any information recieved within this application, or in any email or phone correspondence with the applicants or references provided. *

• I agree.

Submit