The Best Naperville, IL Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Project Hope Animal Rescue

We're a foster based animal rescue with the overflow of animals kenneled in our facility.

ALIVE Rescue

ALIVE Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was founded in March 2008 as a rescue and safe haven for animals. From March 2008 through November of 2012, we ran operations solely through the use of our foster homes. In November of 2011, we signed a lease for a building (The Little Barn) in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago. For nearly one and a half years, we rehabbed and re-designed the original structure, preparing it to become our first adoption center. On May 5th, 2013, we opened The Little Barn, celebrating this accomplishment with dozens of our donors, volunteers, and the animals we rescued. In June of 2019 we closed The Little Barn and opened our new Adoption Center ("AC") in Chicago's West Loop. We remained at the AC through the pandemic and closed those doors in January of 2022. On October 5, 2020, we broke ground on The Big Barn, a new location that will help us save more homeless pets.

River Valley Animal Rescue

River Valley Animal Rescue is a registered non-profit no-kill animal rescue and shelter located in Momence, Illinois. River Valley Animal Rescue has no paid employees and operates fully on proceeds from our resale shop and donations from the public. We offer a temporary home at our shelter to dogs, cats, birds and a variety of small animals until their "furever" home arrives. We are proud to say that we have placed hundreds of animals in permanent homes since 2012!

K9s4U Dog Rescue

K9s4U Dog Rescue is a non-profit dog rescue organization founded by a group of friends committed to saving dogs from high-kill shelters and dire situations and placing them into their FUREVER homes. We are a foster-home based rescue and rely on donations and fosters to help us in our mission to save as many dogs as we can. Thanks to our wonderful fosters and the donations we've received, we have saved the lives of more than 5,700 dogs since we began.

Orphans of the Storm

To take responsibility for each and every orphaned, abandoned, abused, or neglected dog and cat who reaches our doors; to take them in and shelter them; to provide the best medical and physical care possible for them; to nurture them back to health if need be; and finally to place them into warm, loving, adoptive homes where they can enjoy the lives they deserve.

MCP Rescue Pack

MCP Rescue is a Chicago based animal rescue that finds Forever Homes for the overlooked, abused, neglected, in need, at risk dogs (and cats). We believe every animal is an individual with their own idiosyncrasies, gifts, likes and dislikes, just like humans. MCP is the opposite of a revolving door type of Rescue model. We may not have the large numbers monthly but we have a return rate lower than 3% and we know where our dogs are and how they are. 85% of the dogs we bring into our Pack are considered true underdogs and harder to adopt, whether they be of Pitbull types dogs, XL breeds, bonded pairs, seniors, major medical, or hospice.

A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter

Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment (A.D.O.P.T.) is a private, “no-kill”, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has found homes for more than 30,000 pets. We provide a temporary, loving home for dogs and cats that no longer have a family of their own. The animals in our shelter have ended up here for a variety of reasons ranging from abandonment, to rescue from an abusive situation, to owner surrender because they no longer are able to take care of them. Our animals are loving, family pets who are desperately awaiting for their forever home. A.D.O.P.T. was founded in 1989 by a group of dedicated volunteers determined to find homes for animals in need. Over the years, our objective has remained the same: to place animals into permanent, caring homes and advance the humane treatment of animals through education. Our Facility Thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, A.D.O.P.T.’s state-of-the-art facility was completed in spring of 2003. Built to house approximately 40 dogs/puppies and 100 cats/kittens, we provide our animals a safe, comfortable environment while they’re waiting for their new home.

On Angels' Wings - Pet Rescue & Resale Store

On Angels' Wings, Inc. (OAW) is a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit whose mission is to rescue, provide veterinary care for, and find forever homes for abused, abandoned, and neglected pets (dogs, cats, and small animals) in Northern Illinois and beyond. At OAW, we believe the human and animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship, improving life for both the rescued pet as well as the members of the adopting family. OAW founders Jeannette Hager and her daughter Emily hoped to encourage future generations to embrace this way of thinking, which is why we also educate the community about animal welfare, particularly within the local school system.

Recycled Rotts, Inc.

Anderson Humane

Bringing people and animals together for good. For more than fifty years, Anderson Humane has been the leading animal welfare organization in our community. We have been dedicated to creating positive connections between people and animals from day one because animals make us better! Today, we place more than 4,000 pets into loving homes each year. Our innovative programs make the healing presence of animals available to seniors, veterans, and those in crisis. We help pet owners provide the best care possible to their dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, and other animals through free training and resources. Every year, Anderson Humane cares for more than 3,000 injured and orphaned wild animals. Our classes and programs help people appreciate and preserve these animals and their natural habitat.

A Journey Home Dog Rescue

A Journey Home Dog Rescue is a 501(C)3 all-volunteer dog rescue based in Oswego, Illinois. We rescue, provide care and find homes for dogs from overcrowded shelters. We do not have a physical shelter; our rescues get the unique opportunity of being placed directly in the homes of foster volunteers.

Pets and Vets USA

Pets and Vets USA began from a promise between a mother and a son. Peter Thomas Cangelosi and his mother, Carol Ann, pledged to make a difference by agreeing to donate time and resources to the local animal shelter. Unfortunately, Carol Ann became ill and passed in 2005. In 2013, Peter renewed his promise, by pledging funds on death row dogs in shelters across the United States. Then Peter saved his first dog, "Truth" a bull dog/pit bull mix. The dog was minutes from being euthanized in a region where hundreds of thousands of pit bull mixes die every year. After a long journey, he joined Peter in Illinois and was renamed Miracle. During this time, Peter learned more about the countless dogs euthanized and the homeless veterans who had put their life on the line. Peter decided to keep his promise to his mother and make a difference by helping homeless veterans so he founded Pets and Vets USA, a 501c3 nonprofit.

South Suburban Humane Society

The South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) incorporated in 1970 as a small group of volunteers who brought homeless pets into their homes and worked to find them permanent homes. From those humble origins, we grew to a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating a 19,000 square foot animal resource campus in Matteson, IL that takes in more than 4,000 pets annually, a Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, a Low-Cost Veterinary Services Clinic, and a variety of far-reaching community services. The SSHS annually impacts 20,000 pets and the people who love them through these programs.

Saving Animals In Need Rescue Inc

We are a 501c3 Not for Profit Animal Rescue Organization. We are a foster based rescue. We are a group of volunteers who are rescuers, transporters, and fosters. We work with professionals including veterinarians, humane societies, county animal services, etc. that advocate for and save homeless animals throughout the State of Illinois and our country. Founders Arita Sego and Lisa Pyle are two animal rescuers that found each other in 2009. Arita met Lisa and shared her volunteer work with the animals with her. They quickly connected over their love for animals and the desire to help animals in need. After 14 years of friendship and rescuing animals together, they decided to start a new animal rescue; there are not enough rescues to help all the homeless animals. That is how SAVING ANIMALS IN NEED RESCUE, AKA SAIN RESCUE was formed. ARITA SEGO has had animals throughout her life. She currently has two adopted senior dogs, Grandpa and Herbie. She has always loved animals. As an adult, Arita has adopted, fostered, and provided hospice care to over 200 dogs and cats. She has taken care of dogs with significant medical issues and nursed them back to health. She fostered one dog that was paralyzed from the waist down. This dog was able to be rehabilitated to the point that she could run after the squirrels, which she loved to do. Arita has fostered and nurtured dogs who were fearful of humans and helped rehabilitate them and find them their forever home. She has volunteered in Animal Rescue for almost 15 years prior to exploring and beginning this rescue. Animal Rescue is Arita’s passion. Her career has been spent helping people in need so it is not surprising that she decided to also help animals in need. Arita believes it takes a village, a team of volunteers with a heart for the animals in order to do the work of animal rescue. Without volunteers and donors, this Rescue wouldn’t exist. LISA PYLE has always had animals in her life, growing up and as an adult. She has always loved animals and currently has a few adopted dogs and cats. She has been fostering animals since 2009. Lisa has fostered and adopted around 150 dogs/puppies. She has been instrumental in giving them a second chance in life. Lisa adopted several dogs that had significant behavioral issues that made their possibility of adoption remote at best. Without Lisa choosing to adopt them, their future was bleak. Lisa spent her time, energy and resources nurturing these dogs to the point that they were able to either fully trust her or trust her enough to become part of her pack. Lisa has also been actively involved in TNR in her community. She has helped over 50 cats get spayed/neutered to help with the overpopulation of feral cats. Lisa continues to take care of a colony of cats that have all been altered.

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary

THE SANCTUARY WAS FOUNDED AND INCORPORATED BY A SMALL GROUP OF RESIDENTS FROM ROCKFORD, IL ON APRIL 30, 1978. THEIR PRIMARY CONCERN WAS HUMANE CARE AND POPULATION CONTROL. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 30,000 ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN ABOARD THE ARK. EACH YEAR OVER ONE THOUSAND ANIMALS COME TO NOAH'S ARK IN NEED OF A WARM BED, GOOD MEAL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A FOREVER HOME. OUR DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORK HARD TO ENSURE EACH ANIMAL RECEIVES THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE DURING HIS/HER STAY. WE RECEIVE NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND RELY ON THE SUPPORT AND KINDNESS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, PRIVATE DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, FUND RAISING EVENTS, GRANTS, AND VOLUNTEER HELP TO COMPLETE OUR MISSION. NOAH'S ARK DOES NOT EUTHANIZE ANIMALS TO MAKE SPACE TO HOUSE OTHERS. WE ARE A NO KILL SHELTER AND WORK TO PRESERVE LIFE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. OUR VISION IS TO SECURE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL COMPANION ANIMALS. WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE ALL PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS LIVE HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND LONG LIVES TOGETHER.

Paws Up 4 Rescue

We are located in Joliet, Illinois. All our animals are located in foster homes. The best way for you to meet them is to attend one of our adoption events. See the calendar for dates and locations.

Hoof Woof Meow Animal Rescue

We're a coalition of dedicated volunteers and professionals—rescuers, transporters, fosters, veterinarians, humane societies, investigators, and shelters—that advocate for and save homeless animals throughout the State of Illinois and across the country. Hoof Woof & Meow Animal Rescue is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue organization. Established in September 2012, we're on a mission to eliminate needless deaths and inhumane treatment of all animals. We're committed to finding forever homes for the animals in our care and educating the general public on the issues of mistreatment and overpopulation, as well as the need for comprehensive spay and neutering programs. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of countless animals.

FIERCE Animal Rescue

FIERCE Animal Rescue is located along the Illinois/Wisconsin border. We are a small but mighty group of animal advocates. We welcome all people to help us in our battle against pet overpopulation. You will see us out and about in the community, assisting local Trap, Neuter, Return initiatives led by county TNR groups. We have a special place in our hearts for educational outreach. We love to speak with local community groups, nursing homes, and schools about what we can all do to help this cause! We realize that in the fight against suffering, there can never be enough hands on deck. We partner with other local rescues and provide “backup.” We are stronger together!

Forever Home Dog Rescue IL

We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dog rescue. Our all-volunteer team saves dogs and puppies that are in danger of being euthanized. These dogs and puppies come from areas in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana. Once transported back here to the Fox Valley area they are placed in loving foster homes - where they receive veterinary care and start their basic training. We give these loving animals a second chance in life.

Animal House Shelter

We are a non-profit, 501(c)3, no kill shelter for all breeds of dogs and cats. Founded in June 2002, we rescue and care for homeless animals. Most of the dogs and cats that we take in are from high kill facilities that are euthanizing due to lack of space. Many have been abused, neglected or abandoned . Once rehabilitated and ready, they are carefully matched with prospective adopters and placed in loving homes. We do take in some owner relinquishments as well and there are a variety of reasons people give up their dog or cat to us. The most common reasons are lack of time due to a change in work schedule, moving, allergies, new baby etc. Like people, animals have distinct personalities that make them unique. At Animal House we are proud to say that these animals are treated like our own. We care enough to be certain they go to the right loving, forever home.

The Labrador Connection

TLC- The Labrador Connection has been rescuing and placing unwanted Labrador Retrievers into loving forever homes since February, 2006. Since then, we have saved and adopted out over 500 Labs. TLC is an all volunteer based organization. We rely on volunteers to help foster, transport, complete home visits and help with fundraising and events. All of our rescue Labs are placed in foster homes in the areas of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois to be evaluated for temperament, level of training, and vetting needed prior to adoption TLC is a 501(c)3 organization which means that donations are tax deductable, and greatly appreciated. The funds that we raise from donations, adoption fees, and participation in fundraising events are used to pay for the veterinary care of our rescue Labs.

Naperville Area Humane Society

History In 1979, a group of caring citizens dedicated themselves to helping homeless companion animals in their community. They created the Naperville Humane Society and fostered animals in their homes until permanent homes could be found. Wishing to serve more people and animals, this group solicited the financial support of the community and built a 3,550-square-foot shelter in 1988. After 43 years and more than 20,000 animals served, the Board of Directors changed the organization's name to more accurately reflect the population we serve. In January of 2005, the name was officially changed to Naperville Area Humane Society. This new name more accurately reflects the areas we serve. In 2021, we completed our shelter expansion project, which increased our square footage to 8,150. The Naperville Area Humane Society is a 501(c)3 organization. Our tax-exempt number is 363040480. Care At the Naperville Area Humane Society, each animal is tenderly cared for. Entering a shelter can be stressful or possibly even terrifying to some cats and dogs. Our dedicated and highly trained staff and volunteers offer compassionate care to each animal and work to address his or her individual needs. The staff diligently matches each pet's needs with a family eager to adopt a dog or cat. At the Naperville Area Humane Society, all animals receive basic vaccinations and medical care. All animals are neutered or spayed before being released to their new owners. In addition, dogs’ temperaments are thoroughly assessed before being made available for adoption. Unfortunately, far too many cats and dogs continue to need help in our society. Since we cannot solve this overwhelming problem ourselves, we have evolved our approach to the homeless animal crisis to include innovative community service initiatives, such as humane education and a behavior helpline, while we continue to rehome animals. No-Kill Statement There is no term in the animal sheltering field more divisive than no-kill; in fact, there is no clear definition. Generally speaking, a no-kill shelter is described as an organization that does not euthanize “adoptable” animals. A 90-percent save rate for animals entering a shelter is the common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. Typically, the number of pets suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10 percent of all pets entering shelters.* While the 90-percent benchmark offers a meaningful, consistent way to gauge progress, it is neither a floor nor a ceiling. For many shelters, a true no-kill statistic may be closer to a 95-percent save rate or higher. For some shelters, particularly those offering unique care and services such as neonatal kitten programs or compassionate end-of-life services for residents with pets in under-resourced communities, the benchmark may be slightly below 90 percent.* The Naperville Area Humane Society meets the requirements of a no-kill animal shelter, but we choose not to use the term because of its ambiguity. We refer to our shelter as a limited-admission organization. We accept only those animals that we have space to house safely and properly, meeting the standards of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Rather than keeping our animals in overcrowded conditions, we have a waiting list for animals needing to come into the shelter. The Naperville Area Humane Society never euthanizes animals for space or time constraints. All animals are evaluated for health by local veterinarians and for behavior by trained shelter staff using standardized assessments. The decision to euthanize an animal is never an easy one, but we believe it is sometimes necessary. We will choose euthanasia when an animal is suffering from an incurable, debilitating medical condition or when an animal displays severe, unmanageable aggression. We believe it is irresponsible to place a dangerous animal in the community. When appropriate, however, we will transfer an animal to an approved rescue group with the resources to provide behavior modification training in a foster home to change outcomes.

A&S Rescue

A&S Rescue was founded in 2001 by Alise Carrico and Silvia Simmons. We knew a lot of dogs—especially bullies—needed more before being adopted. These dogs have been through a lot. They needed to be prepared for their forever homes. We prioritize structure through carefully selected foster homes and training, so our rescues can feel safe to be themselves again. We also focus on nutrition and high quality food, follow our dogs for their lifetime, and will help adopters after adoption. Our rescues are at the core of everything we do, which is why we go great lengths to help them to succeed. To date, we have placed over 3,000 dogs with only two returns. That’s unheard of in other organizations!

A.R.F.-Animal Rescue Foundation

A.R.F.-Animal Rescue Foundation is a no-kill, all-volunteer, foster-based organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming homeless dogs and cats into loving forever homes, including animals that other rescue groups often cannot accept due to advanced age or exceptional medical needs of the animals, and to enhancing the lives of animals by promoting affordable, responsible pet ownership and public awareness of animal welfare. Our History The ARFmobile, which you will see parked outside cat and dog adoption events. It all started with “two chicks and a van.” In 1985, a small group of dedicated volunteers started rescuing cats and dogs from shelters in downstate Illinois and bringing them up north to be adopted. From humble beginnings, the organization began to grow. Over time, more and more volunteers joined, rescuing more and more animals. A.R.F. was granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status. In 2008 we started working with PetSmart to manage the Adoption Centers in Wheaton and Darien which house feline residents available for adoption. We then began to collaborate with Wheaton Animal Hospital to ensure all animals are healthy and spayed/neutered before being adopted, except where medically contraindicated. In 2019, Fox Valley Animal Welfare League joined us as a veterinary supporter as well. In 2023, A.R.F. rescued over 1,200 dogs and cats through the work of more than 150 volunteers. We look forward to increasing these numbers every year, providing animals with their forever homes and people with their pet companions.

It's All About The Paws

DuPage County Animal Services

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is the county's sole public animal shelter and control agency. The mission of DCAS is to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and pets throughout DuPage County. DCAS cares for the community's lost, homeless, stray, injured, sick, neglected and abandoned animals.

Angel Dog Alliance

We are the Angel Dog (and Cat!) Alliance Our 501c3 rescues and rehomes dogs from the nation’s highest-kill shelters. We believe every dog deserves a chance at a happy, healthy life, and we’re committed to making that a reality. Our Story Founded by Teresa Ryan, Angel Dog Alliance emerged from a simple yet profound desire to make a difference. Witnessing the dire situation in high-kill shelters across the U.S., Teresa felt a deep calling to act. In 2023, she transformed her passion into purpose, establishing Angel Dog Alliance. Teresa’s journey began with a single act of rescue, but it quickly grew into a nationwide movement. Her vision was clear: no dog should face euthanasia simply due to overcrowded shelters. What We Do • Rescue Missions: We identify and rescue dogs at the highest risk in overcrowded shelters. • Funding and Support: Through fundraising and donations, we provide financial support for the rescue and care of these dogs. • Collaborations: We partner with rescue organizations and shelters nationwide to ensure a safe haven for rescued dogs.

Fur Angels Animal Sanctuary

Fur Angels Animal Sanctuary is an all volunteer foster based animal rescue network based in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. A core group of volunteers live in the Chicago Suburbs and surrounding Chicagoland area. As a small non-profit, Fur Angels works tirelessly to giving all animals a second chance at finding a forever home. Without having an actual shelter, we have many volunteers who have opened their homes to not just dogs and cats, but also exotic domestic animals. This rescue is unique because we foster many animals deemed “unadoptable” like bonded pairs, special needs, and seniors. What we rescue: • Dogs and Cats • Birds (Large and Small) • Rabbits and Guinea Pigs • Reptiles and Amphibians • Turtles and Tortoises • Hedgehogs and Sugar Gliders • Ferrets and Rodents • Fish and more!

Border Tails Rescue

Border Tails Rescue is a licensed no-kill animal rescue and welfare organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of stray dogs across the world, with a unique focus on Mexico. Border Tails Rescue has a physical shelter facility with dogs on site for viewing everyday. Border Tails Rescue primarily works with rural shelters across the country, including but not limited to TX, AR, AL, LA, KY, IN, and MI on a regular basis as well as CACC, Chicago's open intake shelter. BTR is Woman-founded by Harleigh Garcia, who was 20 years old at the time. The organization was founded in December of 2019 and Border Tails Rescue is registered with Illinois Secretary of State as a non profit organization. Border Tails Rescue operates entirely on donations and adoption fees.

Kane County Animal Control