Resources for Pet Owners in Need

If you are facing an emergency (e.g., financial, health, natural disaster, etc.) and find yourself in a position of being unable to care for your pet, there are many charities and organizations that have been created to help pet owners keep their pets. Please contact the organizations below if they fit your current situation.

Emergency Short Term Pet Care

Blessed Bonds Program 

A.D.O.P.T. Naperville

 The Blessed Bonds Program offers temporary assistance to those who want to keep their animal companions but are having difficulties that prevent them from meeting their pets’ daily needs. Assistance Provided  Problem-solving counseling and education.  Foster care, for up to two months, when space is available.  Food and other pet care essentials.  Information & referral services for other organizations, such as pet food banks, lowcost spay/neuter and vaccine clinics, and other temporary foster programs Pets should be up to date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to entering the program with supporting vet records. If you need help getting your pet up-to-date or spayed/neutered, please indicate this when submitting your application; their on-site spay/neuter clinic is typically able to help. You can complete an application on their web site. 

 Website: https://adoptpetshelter.org/clinic/crisis-assistance

Telephone: 630-355-2299

Crisis Foster Care

PAWS Chicago

PAWS Chicago’s loving foster families are ready to help you care for your pets during an unexpected crisis. Whether you’re recovering from an illness, or experiencing financial hardship, PAWS offers temporary foster homes for cats or dogs. Complete a form on their website. They will make every effort to find a qualified, temporary foster family in the area to care for and protect your pet.

Website: https://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/crisis-support/crisis-foster-care/

Telephone: 773-521-7729

S.A.F.E.

Anti-Cruelty Society - Chicago

The Anti-Cruelty Society has established the SAFE program which provides 30 days of free care to approved applicants, this invaluable service keeps pets safe while their owners seek out new housing. The Anti-Cruelty Society will provide daily food, water, socialization, exercise, and basic preventive medical care for pets in the program. Pets admitted into the program will also receive vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and a microchip, free of charge, if needed. Confidentiality is of utmost importance. Animals who are admitted into the program are either housed on-site or are placed in one of our licensed foster homes. Owners whose pets remain on-site are encouraged to visit weekly. Pets who are housed in foster care are not available for visitation. The SAFE Program is for one-time use. Applicants who have utilized the service in the past will not be eligible to enroll again. SAFE clients are required to communicate their housing status weekly. Pets who are entering the program must be in good health and behaviorally sound. Program space is limited. Clients are served on a firstcome, first-serve basis. 

Website: https://www.anticruelty.org/safe

Telephone: 312-287-6289

Safe Pets Program

Naperville Humane Society - Naperville

The Safe Pets program assists families in crisis, such as domestic violence or homelessness, by offering space in their shelter to care for the family cats or dogs on a temporary basis. Through our Safe Pets program, pets are granted a temporary safe haven and families can begin putting the pieces of their lives back together. They are limited on the number of Safe Pets they can help at one time. Call if you need Safe Pet assistance.

Website: https://www.naperhumane.org/resources

Telephone: 630-420-8989 x1005

Pet Food Pantries

Bruno’s Pro-Bone-O Pet Pantry - Hanover Park

Bruno’s is often referred to as a food bank, but a very different food bank, as Bruno’s is only for pets. Pet owners facing financial hardship can turn to Bruno’s Pantry to help feed their best buddies until they are in a position once again to be able to care for their pets. They strive to support military veterans, especially those suffering PTSD with service animals, the disabled, the working poor and the elderly in parts of Kane, DuPage and Cook counties. In addition to food, when available, they also provide, dog and cat treats, flea and tick collars, doggie diapers, toys for the holidays, sweaters and other protective gear, leashes, collars, grooming products, waste pick up bags, and kitty litter. Directions to register for pet food and pet supplies are found on their web site.

Website: http://www.brunospantry.com

Telephone: 630-926-3610

DuPage Senior Citizens Council - Lombard

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council provides veterinary care and pet food assistance for DuPage and Kane County seniors who sometimes find it difficult to take care of themselves and their pet. They have volunteers who can stop by senior’s homes to deliver pet food so they don’t have to worry about how they can get pet food for their pets. Contact the Council for more information.

Website: https://www.dupageseniorcouncil.org

Telephone: 630-620-0804

Humanitarian Services Project - Carol Stream

Groceries are delivered directly to the elderly in DuPage and Kane counties to alleviate the suffering and hardships that poverty brings. Seniors are referred by DuPage County Senior Services, Catholic Charities, area townships, and other social service agencies to identify low-income seniors who are struggling and would benefit from support. Once a senior is enrolled into the project, they are in the program for the rest of their life unless they move into assisted living or out of our service area. Requirements are that each senior lives in HSP's service area and has an income at, or below, 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The waiting list for the program can be quite lengthy. Case workers can assist seniors in filling out and submitting the form at the end of this paragraph. A senior without a case worker may submit an application on their web site.

Website: https://hsp.agency

Telephone: 630-221-8340

Kendall County Community Food Pantry - Yorkville

Kendall, DeKalb, or LaSalle County residents can register for pet food and then choose from various free dog and cat food and kitty litter. Pet food clients are served once per month, on the 1st or 2nd Thursday, from 2 to 6 PM. Pet food is donated, and not all brands are available each month. Directions to register for the pet food is found on their web site.

Website: https://kccfoodpantry.org/pet-care

Telephone: 630-553-0473

Wet Nose Food Pantry - Lemont

Pet food assistance is available once a month. Food pick up is available by appointment only (and after the application has been completed) and will be in downtown Lemont. Contact them for more information and to get an application.

Website: https://wetnosepetfoodpantry.webstarts.com/

Telephone: 708-480-2548

Other Chicago Area Pet Food Pantries:

• Care for Real Pet Pantry: Chicago North Side 773-769-6182
• C.A.R.E. Pet Food Pantry: Skokie 847-705-2653
• Evanston Animal Shelter Pet Food Assistance: 847-866-5082
• Friendship Pet Food Pantry: Chicago Lincoln Square 773-907-6388. Must be a Chicago resident.
• Irving Park Community Food Pantry Pet Food Corner: 773-283-6296. Must live in ZIP codes 60641 or 60618.
• Red Door Animal Shelter Café Program: Chicago Northwest Side 773-764-2242. Must show proof of low-income or fixed-income status.

DuPage County People Food Pantries:

• Some people food pantries in DuPage County will occasionally have pet food, depending on what is donated at the time. Call the pantry ahead of time to check availability.
• Glen Ellyn Food Pantry: 630-469-8668. For qualified residents in Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Carol Stream, Wheaton, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Bloomingdale or Addison.
• Downers Grove Area FISH: 630-964-7776. For qualified residents in Lisle, Downers Grove or Westmont.
• People’s Resource Center: 630-682-5402. All residents of DuPage County are eligible to become a People’s Resource Center client.
• West Suburban Community Pantry: 630-512-9921. For residents of DuPage County, Romeoville, and Bolingbrook who meet the federal income guidelines.
• Loaves and Fishes in Naperville: Call 630-355-3663. Eligibility is based on the IL Emergency Food Program income guidelines. They serve all of Naperville, Aurora, DuPage County, and parts of Will County.