Comptroller’s Critters was created by the late, great pet-loving Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and carried on in her honor by Comptroller Mendoza. The program aims to find shelter dogs, cats and other animals forever homes and features a searchable database of facilities in your area. Our goal is to give you the resources you need to adopt a pet, which in turn reduces animal control costs at the local level and saves taxpayers money.
Find Your
New Bestie
Start your adoption journey online. We work with local rescues and shelters across the state to help you find adoptable pets in your area.
A Little R & R Animal Sanctuary
815-977-9075
420 Industrial Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
630-355-2299
1000 S La Fox Street
South Elgin, Illinois 60177
847-697-2880
1001 Taintor Road
Springfield, IL 62702
217-544-7387
Animal Rescue Foundation (A.R.F.)
531 W Roosevelt Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-200-3828
157 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
312-644-8338
Belleville Area Humane Society
1301 S. 11th Street
Belleville, IL 62226
618-235-3712
2975 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-813-5774
LeRoy, Illinois 61752
309-962-3079
Champaign Area Trap, Spay, Neuter & Adoption Program (CATsNAP)
1713 South State Street Suite 104
Champaign, IL 61820
301-200-1845
Champaign County Humane Society
4003 Kearns Drive
Champaign, IL 61822
217-344-7297
Chicago Animal Care and Control
2741 S. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
312-747-1408
P.O. Box 31946
Chicago, IL 60631
773-774-5700
Chicagoland Animal Rescue, NFP
1550 Butterfield Rd
Downers Grove , IL 60515
630-426-9271
847-259-6458
Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois, Inc.
PO Box 113
Nixa, MO 65714
630-415-1206
Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.)
4927 Main Street
Skokie, Illinois 60077
847-705-2653
Crete, IL 60417
312-428-6988
120 N. County Farm Rd
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
630-407-2800
Effingham County Animal Shelter & Control
701 E. Eiche Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401
217-347-5695
https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/il/effingham/effingham-county-animal-control-il844/
330 Eisenhower Lane North
Lombard, IL 60148
630-881-7459
1117 E Main St
Marion, Illinois 62959
618-922-5186
Chicago, IL
844-228-7333
3902 Wren Ln
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847-282-0411
Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control
P.O. Box 4414
Chicago, IL 60680
773-743-9000
630-518-2542
Greater Chicago Ferret Association
PO Box 3
Lyons, IL 60534
331-287-4718
P.O. Box 728
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847-946-1735
3040 Cappelletti
South Chicago Heights, IL 60411
14101 W Bruns Rd.
Manhattan, IL 60442
708-689-9889
21 Salt Creek Lane
Hinsdale, IL 60521
630-323-5630
PO Box 87
Gilberts, IL 60136
847-802-9835
Hoof Woof & Meow Animal Rescue
440 J Airport Road
Elgin, IL 60120
847-836-7387
10804 McConnell Rd
Woodstock, IL 60098
815-337-5563
P.O. Box 397
Godfrey, IL 62035
618-979-1908
Humane Society of Central Illinois Pet Adoption Center
423 Kays Drive
Normal, IL 61761
309-451-1000
Chicago, Illinois 60615
Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County, Inc.
PO BOX 1019
PEOTONE, IL 60468
708-258-3959
K9 Enrichment Initiative, Inc.
Plainfield, Illinois 60544
779-875-6309
Kankakee County Animal Control
134 Mooney Drive
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
815-937-2949
https://kankakeeil.animalservices.website/shelterpronet/home.spn
Kankakee County Humane Foundation
2214 Route 1
St. Anne, IL 60964
815-933-5999
802 W John St
Yorkville, IL 60560
630-553-9256
1552 South Route 59
Naperville, IL 60564
29W516 Wilson Street
West Chicago, IL 60185
331-300-9737
P.O. Box 321
Frankfort, Illinois 60423
708-325-8581
Macoupin County Animal Control and Adoption Center
21640 IL-4
Carlinville, IL 62626
217-854-4024
8495 IL 143
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-656-4405
Midwest Australian Shepherd Rescue
4814 Patty Ln
Ringwood, IL 60072
Naperville Area Humane Society
1620 W Diehl Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
630-420-8989
PO Box 1053
La Grange Park, IL 60526
224-535-9076
2200 Riverwoods Rd
Riverwoods, IL 60015
847-9450-0235
1997 N. Clybourn Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60614
773-935-7297
139 E. Vienna St, Anna,
Anna, IL 62906
618-833-3647
Peoples Animal Welfare Society of Tinley Park (PAWS of Tinley Park)
8301 W. 191st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60487
815-464-7298
Peoria County Animal Protection Services
2600 NE Perry Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
309-672-2440
https://www.peoriacounty.gov/1210/Animal-Protection-Services-PCAPS
1698 W. 10th St.
Metropolis, Illinois 62960
618-524-8939
Quad City Animal Welfare Center
724 West Second Avenue
Milan, Illinois 61264
309-787-6830
1705 N. 36th St
Quincy, IL 62305
217-223-8786
372 Townline Road
Mundelein, IL 60060
847-566-6799
Ricky's Rascals Animal Rescue NFP
101 N State St
Marengo, IL 60152
815-596-1500
PO BOX 7052
Romeoville, IL 60446
877-813-7300
P.O. Box 4074
Aurora, IL 60507
630-897-7454
4035 E 600 North Road
McLean, IL 61754
309-660-6790
Sangamon County Animal Control Center
2100 Shale Street
Springfield, IL 62703
217-535-3065
PO Box 3286
Carbondale, IL 62902
31664 N Fairfield Rd.
Grayslake, IL 60030
847-740-7788
PO Box 86
Hurst, IL 62949
630-465-5798
21800 Central Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
708-755-7387
6228 Country Club Rd.
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618-687-2079
St. Sophia's Forgotten Felines
112 E. Chicago Ave
Westmont, IL 60559
847-773-7639
2250 Barber Greene Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-758-2457
St. Charles, IL
857-477-2391
P.O. Box 59067
Chicago, IL 60659
773-728-6336
Vermilion County Department of Animal Regulation and Shelter
14775 Catlin Tilton Rd
Tilton, IL 61833
217-431-2660
Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Inc.
23907 W Industrial Drive N
Plainfield, IL 60585
815-254-3110
3309 Robbins Road #109
Springfield, IL 62704
Winnebago County Animal Services
4517 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
815-319-4100
1824 W. Hovey Ave.
Normal, IL 61761
309-808-4477
331- 223-9474
5915 Lincoln Avenue
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
847-728-5434
P.O. Box 712
Decatur, IL 62525
815-317-6343
A directory of participating shelters along with contact information is available below. Search by county, view the map, or scroll through the list to find a shelter near you. Once you find a shelter, visit their site to view all the animals they have for adoption or plan to visit the shelter in person.
And don’t forget to mention Comptroller Mendoza sent you!
When choosing a pet, consider your lifestyle and the traits of the animal you are considering if known. Will you be able to provide plenty of exercise for a high energy pet, or do you want a couch potato to snuggle with and watch TV? Do you have a fenced-in backyard? Ask shelter staff if the pet is good with children and other animals if applicable. If you have another pet, check with shelter staff about bringing your current pet in to see if it gets along with the animal you are thinking about adopting.
For starters, be prepared with a leash and collar, food, crate, a few toys, a bed, etc. Pet-proof your home which can include tying up any loose electrical cords and others dangerous things your little friend can gnaw on. Make sure household chemicals, poisonous plants and breakables are well out of reach and set up baby gates if necessary.
Ask the shelter what type of food the animal has been eating, and if you’re switching to another brand, ease your pet into their new meal by giving them half of their old food and half new food for a few days.
When you get home with the animal, take them potty right away and let them explore the outside while on a leash. Taking them for a short walk is also a good idea.
Once inside and for the next few days, make sure to maintain a calm atmosphere so your pet feels safe and comfortable.
If you have other pets, consider keeping them away from your new friend the first day or two. Your new pet is already having to adjust to an unfamiliar home and adding another animal into the mix right away can sometimes be too much.
And most of all...be patient. It may take time for your new pet to acclimate to your family and home. They may have accidents at first or be shy. Let them settle in and get used to their new home; be consistent with commands, potty time and feeding times.
Comptroller’s Critters Dog Care Tips:
Meals:
Grooming:
Brush frequently to reduce shedding. Warm weather requires daily checks for fleas and ticks. Bathe the dog a few times a year, thoroughly rinsing soap out from its coat to prevent dirt from sticking to soap residue.
Exercise:
Daily exercise stimulates mental and physical well-being. Breed type, age and health status will determine the proper amount of exercise for your dog. Walks in different environments are great to keep your pet (and you!) healthy and mentally stimulated.
Consider Training Classes:
Dog training classes are beneficial for both you and your dog. Not only can you and your dog learn new skills to help behavior, training can reduce anxiety while your pet adjusts to new surroundings. It can strengthen the bond between you and your new friend and may include more than “sit” and “stay.” You may find your dog has a knack for agility, obedience or tracking and choose to enter competitions together. This is a great way to bond and meet new people.
Comptroller’s Critters Cat Care Tips:
Meals:
Grooming:
Brush frequently to keep your cat’s coat clean, reduce shedding and decrease the occurrence of hairballs.
Sleeping:
Cats typically sleep about 16 hours a day and like to perch in high places. Cat beds, cat trees, baskets and pillows can give your new cat a safe, secure spot to call their own.
Exercise:
Cats enjoy toys that jump and/or dance around, providing a life-like appearance. Their predator instincts make this play time an enjoyable exercise. Aim for at least 15-30 minutes of cuddle and playtime with your kitty twice a day.
LICENSES & VACCINATIONS (For both dogs and cats):
Check with local governing authorities and abide by licensing and rabies regulations. Make sure to ask the shelter if the animal has been spayed or neutered, and what kind of vaccinations they received. The animal should have subsequent annual visits to a veterinarian to receive exams and shots. Vets can also provide advice for settling your pet into their new home.
Seeking Shelters
Our goal is to have as many shelters around the state listed as possible so that homeless pets from all across Illinois have a chance to find a new family.
If you are a shelter looking to become part of the Comptroller’s Critters family, please email us at critters@illinoiscomptroller.gov. We will need the name of your shelter, contact information, website link and your logo.
Stories about finding our
Forever Home
One of our favorite success stories comes from a Comptroller’s Critters event at the Illinois State Fair in 2021. A Springfield rescue group brought some dogs out for adoption. The food vendor next to the IOC tent took an interest and ended up adopting one of the dogs. That dog is now their business’ official mascot and travels the country with his new family.
I attended a Comptroller’s Critters event at a PAWS Chicago facility. Among a litter of puppies was the sweetest little doggy I’ve ever seen. Three years and 80 pounds later, Thunder has become a best friend to my two children. I can’t picture my family without him. -Nicole Derrig (Chicago)
Contact us to learn more or enroll your shelter in Comptroller’s Critters
