Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when I find a stray dog or cat?
If you found a stray dog or cat, the proper protocol is to first contact your local animal control or non-emergency police department to see if anyone has reported the pet as missing, as well as to guide you through your village's process. There are a list of numbers below to reference.
If you are still in need of help and the local authorities are not able to help you, you may complete one of our forms below and we will do our best to assist you.
How do I relinquish my animal to you?
NAWS is a No-Kill Humane Society which means we limit our admission based on available space and resources. Due to the overwhelming amount of relinquishment requests, we are unable to take in every relinquishment. You can fill out a relinquishment application below. If we do not reach out to you, please contact other shelters or rescues as we do not have the time or resources to reply to every application. There are a list of numbers to other rescues below.
If you adopted your pet from NAWS - we will always take them back, and contractually require them to be returned to us. Adopters are not permitted to re-home our pets without coordination with NAWS. Please see below.
To relinquish a NAWS alumni cat email Catadoptions@nawsus.org
To relinquish a NAWS alumni dog please email Victoria@nawsus.org
Do you offer TNR?
NAWS offers limited TNR spaces on surgery days. To check availablity call us at 708-478-5102 and follow the prompts to speak to medical. We offer feral traps to rent. Please visit us or call us for information.
If you have a feral colony of cats and would like help to TNR them, please contact Triple R Pets at 708-738-1438.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be 13 or older to volunteer without an adult, children under 13 are welcome to volunteer as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
You must be 18 or older to volunteer with our dogs.
To learn more about our volunteer programs please visit the link below.
You must be 18 or older to volunteer with our dogs.
To learn more about our volunteer programs please visit the link below.
Our amazon wishlist is below. In addition to items on our wishlist, we accept towels, sheets, pillows, blankets, pillow cases, medication, syringes, gently used dog toys, dog treats, cat treats, etc.
If there is something specific you were looking to donate please email Becca@nawsus.org
If there is something specific you were looking to donate please email Becca@nawsus.org
What donations do you accept?
Do You Have a Resale Shop?
Yes! We have a resale shop called ReTails Resale Shop located on Front street in Mokena. Our resale shop accepts donations such as clothing, shoes, home goods, toys, and more! Check out the link below for more information on our resale shop.
Do you offer low cost veterinary services?
We have a clinic on site that offers lower cost veterinary services. Our clinic is by appointment only, please see the below link to learn more about our animal clinic.
Resource List to Animal Controls and Other Shelters
Will County Animal Control
815-462-5633 22452 Cherry Hill Road, Joliet, IL 60433 Open weekdays 8:30-4:30 If not open, contact local police.
815-462-5633 22452 Cherry Hill Road, Joliet, IL 60433 Open weekdays 8:30-4:30 If not open, contact local police.
Cook County Animal Control
708-974-6140 10220 S 76th Ave #251 Bridgeview, IL 60455 Open weekdays 8am-4pm If not open, contact local police.
708-974-6140 10220 S 76th Ave #251 Bridgeview, IL 60455 Open weekdays 8am-4pm If not open, contact local police.
Dupage County Animal Control
630-407-2800 2255 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 Check website for hours. If not open, contact local police.
630-407-2800 2255 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 Check website for hours. If not open, contact local police.
TLC Animal Shelter
708-301-1594 13016 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491
708-301-1594 13016 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491
Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue
815-730-6811 309 W Republic Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
815-730-6811 309 W Republic Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
South Suburban Humane Society
708-755-7387 21800 Central Ave, Matteson, IL 60433
708-755-7387 21800 Central Ave, Matteson, IL 60433
PAWS Tinley Park
815-464-7298 8301 W 191st St, Tinley Park, IL 60487
815-464-7298 8301 W 191st St, Tinley Park, IL 60487
Its A Pittie Rescue (Pits Only)
708-792-3311 501 c A, Peotone, IL 60468
708-792-3311 501 c A, Peotone, IL 60468
Humane Indiana Shelter
219-922-3811 421 45th St, Munster, IN 46321
219-922-3811 421 45th St, Munster, IN 46321
All Herding Breed (Only herding breeds)
2229 Maple Road, Joliet, IL 60432 No number listed, visit website.
2229 Maple Road, Joliet, IL 60432 No number listed, visit website.
Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue
779-206-2132 2303 Oak Leaf St, Joliet, IL 60432
779-206-2132 2303 Oak Leaf St, Joliet, IL 60432
HalfWay Home Animal Rescue
15790 Lagrange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462 No number listed, visit website
15790 Lagrange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462 No number listed, visit website