Adoption Process
(scroll down for cats)
Adoption Process for Dogs
Requirements:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have the knowledge and consent of all adults living in the household
- Have approval from owner of residence (written in lease)
- Have a valid ID with current address
- Be approved as a suitable adoptive home by Almost Home Foundation
- Be ready to make a lifetime commitment
- Live in the suburbs surrounding Chicago (Illinois Residents only)
- Pass a veterinarian reference check for current and past pets.
- Adoption payment cash, check or Zelle only
Process:
- Fill out an application.
- If your application is approved, you will meet with the animal and talk with an adoption counselor.
- Understand that several applicants may be interested in the animal and it can only go into one home. Almost Home Foundation makes the decision with the best interest of the animal in mind. A decision to place the animal in someone else’s home in no way implies that your home would not be a wonderful home for one of our animals. We are merely trying to make the best decision for the particular animal.
Additionally
- Talk with the Adoption Coordinator. Please realize that the final decision to place the animal is determined by the Adoption Coordinator and at times, Board members.
- A Home Check will be done for applicants prior to any final placements being made.
- Dogs currently owned by applicants must be current on vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, and yearly heartworm testing.
- On some occasions, we will require dogs to take basic obedience training.
- Look at your contract for details on return policies.
We expect our placements to be lifetime commitments. We cannot condone a “disposable” pet theory. If you must give up your animal, you must return the animal to Almost Home Foundation.
Adoption Fees:
| 8 years and up | $100 |
| 8 months – end of 7th year | $320 |
| Under 8 months and already spayed/neutered | $420 |
| Under 8 months and not yet spayed/neutered ($55.00 will be refunded after proof of spay/neuter surgery) | $475 |
| Pay It Forward Pup – Adopters of a PIFP help the next incoming dog with medical issues get the support they need, just as previous PIFP dogs have helped them. This continuous circle of support helps more dogs in need. | $500 – $950 |
The adoption fee for a rescued dog includes:
- Examined by a vet
- Tested for Heartworm
- Vaccinated for Rabies, Parvo/Distemper, and Bordetalla
- Microchipped
- Checked and treated for fleas
- Checked for internal parasites and worms
- Spayed/neutered
- Please note: covers the cost of the spay or neuter, but certain clinics require blood panels prior to surgery, and/or medications afterwards. Almost Home Foundation does not cover these additional costs.
The adoption fee for a rescued puppies includes:
- Examined by a vet
- Vaccinated for Rabies, Parvo/Distemper, and Bordetalla
- Microchipped
- Checked and treated for fleas
- De-wormed
- Spayed/neutered
- Please note: covers the cost of the spay or neuter, but certain clinics require blood panels prior to surgery, and/or medications afterwards. Almost Home Foundation does not cover these additional costs.
- Please be aware that there may be other expenses not covered by Almost Home Foundation.
- For example, we do not pay for rabies tags. Also some adopters choose to bring their newly adopted animals to their own vet, which is not one of our Animal Care Providers. In this case, we are unable to reimburse for the costs of vetting. Since we are an all volunteer, registered, not-for-profit 501c3 charity organization, our Animal Care Providers offer our group special rates and or terms.
Adoption Process for Cats
Requirements:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have the knowledge and consent of all adults living in the household
- Have approval from owner of residence (written in lease)
- Have a valid ID with current address
- Be approved as a suitable adoptive home by Almost Home Foundation
- Be ready to make a lifetime commitment
- Live in the suburbs surrounding Chicago (Illinois Residents only)
- Pass a veterinarian reference check for current and past pets.
- Adoption payment cash, check or Zelle only
- Almost Home’s policy is to adopt kittens under 6 months of age in pairs. Kittens that young are not fully socialized and need a same/similar-age playmate in order not to become a nuisance. Adopting kittens in pairs allows them to complete the kitty socialization process, learn good kitty manners, and have a playmate so their humans can sleep at night. If you have a cat 1 year and under a single kitten can be adopted.
Process:
- Fill out an application.
- If your application is approved, you will meet with the animal and talk with an adoption counselor.
- Understand that several applicants may be interested in the animal and it can only go into one home. Almost Home Foundation makes the decision with the best interest of the animal in mind. A decision to place the animal in someone else’s home in no way implies that your home would not be a wonderful home for one of our animals. We are merely trying to make the best decision for the particular animal.
Additionally
- Talk with the Adoption Coordinator. Please realize that the final decision to place the animal is determined by the Adoption Coordinator and at times, Board members.
- We expect our placements to be lifetime commitments. We cannot condone a “disposable” pet theory. If you must give up your animal, you must return the animal to Almost Home Foundation.
Adoption Fees:
| Senior cats over 10 years | $80 |
| Mature cats at least 8 years but less than 10 years | $100 |
| Adult cats at least 2 years but less than 8 years | $120 |
| Tween/Teen cats at least 6 months but less than 2 years | $140 |
| Kittens under 6 months | $160 |
| Pay It Forward Kitty (“PIFK”) Adopters of PIFK help the next incoming cat with medical issues get the support they need. | $250 |
The adoption fee for a rescued cat includes:
- Examination by a vet
- FELV/FIV test
- An FVRCP vaccine
- A rabies vaccine (excludes rabies tag)
- A microchip
- Spay or neuter surgery
The adoption fee for a rescued kitten includes:
- Examination by a vet
- FELV/FIV test
- A series of 3 FVRCP vaccines starting at 8 weeks
- A rabies vaccine (excludes rabies tag)
- A microchip
- Spay or neuter surgery
Please be aware that any of the above medical that is not complete at the time of adoption must be scheduled by Almost Home Foundation at one of our partner vets.