Cat Rescue Groups in Illinois

Thousands of cats in Illinois are in need of loving homes. There are several cat rescue operations throughout the state, some for specific breeds and others for any cat that needs to find a family. Rescues are not only looking to find homes for the cats they take in, but for volunteers to help with the daily activities as the economy continues to cause budget cuts and layoffs.

  1. Tree House Humane Society

    • Founded in 1971, Tree House Humane Society is the largest cageless, no-kill shelter for injured, sick and abandoned cats in the Chicago area. Since its inception, Tree House has found homes for over 14,000 cats, and provided a safe place for feral, stray, abused, neglected and critically injured felines. It has also performed over 500 spays and neuters and are on pace to double that figure in 2010. The adoption fee of $85 covers the cost of one cat's care ($150 for two cats) and includes spay or neuter; deworming; flea treatment, FIV and FeLV testing, AVID microchip, veterinary examination and all necessary vaccinations. They also provide a 30-day health guarantee on all adoptions.

      Tree House Humane Society
      1212 W. Carmen Ave.
      Chicago, IL 60640
      (773) 784-5488, ext. 228
      treehouseanimals.org

    Animal Outreach Humane Society

    • Animal Outreach Humane Society in McHenry is a foster home network for stray cats. It has several programs in place that support its commitment to animals, including Spay, Neuter, Incentive Program (SNIP), which offers offers low-cost surgery; Feral Friends that traps, neuters and returns cats in a feral community; Rescue, Foster and Adoption (RFA), which helps strays find shelter and love through foster homes, and McHenry County Animal Control (MCAC) program, where volunteers assist by working with the county shelter. Adopters must keep all cats indoors and if an adoption does not work out, the cat is always welcome back into the organization. In this instance, the adoption fee is non-refundable. Adoption fees are $125 for a kitten under 10 months, and $100 for adults 10 months and older.

      Animal Outreach Humane Society
      P.O. Box 396
      McHenry, IL 60051
      (815) 385-0005
      animaloutreachsociety.org

    CATsNAP

    • CATsNAP was founded in 2005 and works to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the welfare of animals in the Champaign County area. Its members are strong advocates of animals being spayed and neutered no matter what the breed, sex or age. This organization has a limited-intake, no-kill adoption program, where animals are in foster homes or at the Champaign PetSmart. Animals are never euthanized because of space restrictions. Adoption fees are $100 for kittens under six months and $75 for cats six months and older. If you adopt two cats, the second adoption is half price. Adoption fees cover vaccinations, FIV and FeLV testing, deworming, flea and ear mite treatment, sterilization, microchipping, one free veterinary exam within 10 days of adoption, one month of free pet insurance, and 48 hour post-adoption follow-up.

      CATsNAP
      P.O. Box 456
      Savoy, IL 61874
      (217) 353-5243
      catsnap.org

    Harmony House for Cats

    • Established in 1970, Harmony House for Cats is Chicago's second oldest no-kill animal shelter. It is also the second humane organization to start a cageless adoption center for cats and kittens. Its motto is "Caring, not Killing," and it is committed to providing the highest quality of care for cats and kittens. Adoption fees are $75 for any cat or kitten and includes spay or neuter, vaccinations, and flea, earmite and internal parasite treatment along with FIV testing and AVID microchip.

      Harmony House for Cats
      3809 N. Kedzie
      Chicago, IL 60618
      (773) 463-6667
      hhforcats.org