A Complete Guide to Cat Adoption in Chicago
Getting a cat home for the first time is surely one of the most exciting and enriching experiences of life. Though for all the exhilarating moments, it can also be baffling, and at times, overwhelming. And as much as setting your house up for your new feline friend is important, it is the second step.
The first step is the adoption process. Although adopting a cat in Chicago does not thankfully require a ton of documentation, it still involves a few steps and formalities. In this guide, we will walk you through the complete adoption journey, from the legalities and costs to preparing for a cat in Chicago.
Adopting From the Official Chicago City Council
To be able to apply for cat adoption from the city’s official body, you only need a few basic things. As long as you are 18 and have a government-issued photo ID, you have already ticked the first box. Following this, you will need the official fee of $65, which is standard for pet adoption (cats and dogs) in the city of Chicago.
You can also check the complete list of pets in the shelter that you can adopt on Chicago Animal Care and Control’s portal. If you are planning a walk-in adoption, the official visiting hours are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where Else Can You Adopt From?
Although the facility run by the official city body is the most popular choice for most, there are other options where you can adopt a cat in Chicago. These include shelters and adoption centers.
PAWS Chicago:
This is one of the most popular shelters in Chicago, operating out of the Lincoln Park Adoption Center. PAWS also has a fully functional medical facility for the extra care of the animals they foster. As for the cats up for adoption at PAWS, the facility has both foster and rescue.
Now, for the main process, they have a fairly straightforward process where you start by filling out an online application, followed by a visit, and after meeting the cats, the last step is the approval of your adoption.
The Anti-Cruelty Society
Based in downtown Chicago, The Anti-Cruelty Society is one of the oldest and most trusted animal welfare bodies in the country. Being one of the most experienced organizations, they have a wide variety of cats under their care. Plus, they also offer training assistance and behavioral support.
The adoption process with them includes a walk-in visit to browse the available cats. The next step is to meet with the counselors and complete a short interview to finish the application.
Chicago Cat Rescue
While not a traditional adoption organization, they focus on rescuing, fostering, and adoption of cats in Chicago. The body displays the availability of the cats that are up for adoption on their website.
The adoption process with them might be quick, where you can directly start the application online and contact them when you find the right match. Plus, the distance from application to approval is short, too, allowing you to bring home the pet sooner.
The Official Cost of Cat Adoption
When it comes to adopting a pet in Chicago, there are some significant costs associated with it. While several of these costs can often stray into the ‘pricey’ realms, the cost of adoption is not one of them. The cost of adoption in the city of Chicago varies depending on the organization or body you choose to adopt from.
As mentioned above, if you pick the official city council, the cost for cat adoption is $65. For other organizations, this number can range from $50 to $200, depending on the cat and the adoption program. For most adoption centers, the adoption fee includes basic medical care, which can otherwise cost up to $500 if done externally.
Apart from this, there is also some amount of other financial commitment that comes with owning a cat. These include nutrition, veterinarian, grooming, sitting, and other miscellaneous costs, which can range from $1,700 to $2,000 and can tip a bit deeper in either direction based on several variables.
How Soon Can You Get the Cat Home?
Once you have made up your mind to adopt the cat and likely even filled out an application, the biggest question then is how soon you can get your feline friend home.
This timeline can be as short as a day to somewhere about a week. Same-day adoptions are rather common in cats. Once your application is complete and you have successfully finished the formalities with the adoption counselor, you can take the cat home.
Even if same-day adoption is not on the table, in most cases, it takes up to a week to welcome your cat home. In rare cases where the rules are strict or demand is high, you may have to wait more than a week to get the cat home.
The Checklist Before Welcoming Your Cat Home
Once you have taken care of everything and are awaiting your cat's return home, it is crucial that you address a few things to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Set up a litter box with fine, unscented grains before bringing home the cat. After this, establish separate feeding and hydration areas. Another factor worth considering on this list is cat-proofing your home. For a detailed overview of cat ownership in Chicago, you can check out our guide here.
What To Do Once You Get The Cat Home
Once you bring the cat home, start introducing your cat to socialization, both with humans and other animals. The ripe age for this for cats is in the kitten stage, when they are between 2 and 8 weeks of age.
In this period, the cat’s natural curiosity is at its peak, so introducing them to socialization can avoid several problems that could arise in the latter part of their life.
While the adoption process can feel complicated, it is fairly simple, and in most cases, quite quick. Besides, adoption is only the first part of the process, and the real tricky part begins once you bring your feline friend home. However, as long as you take care of a few fundamentals, bonding with your cat can be one of life’s most enriching experiences.
