Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I find a stray dog or cat?
If you find a stray dog or cat, the proper protocol is to first contact your local animal control or non-emergency number at your local police department to see if anyone has reported the pet as missing. They will also guide you through your village's stray pet 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 cat or dog 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 always 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 return a cat adopted from NAWS e-mail Catadoptions@nawsus.org
To return a dog adopted from NAWS e-mail Victoria@nawsus.org
Do you offer TNR Surgeries (Trap Neuter Release)?
NAWS offers limited TNR spaces on surgery days. To check availability 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 are looking to donate please e-mail Becca@nawsus.org
If there is something specific you are looking to donate please e-mail 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.
Additional Local Resources
Will County Animal Control815-462-5633
22452 Cherry Hill Road,
Joliet, IL 60433
Open weekdays 8:30-4:30
If not open, contact local police.
Cook County Animal Control708-974-6140
10220 S 76th Ave #251
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Open weekdays 8am-4pm
If not open, contact local police.
Dupage County Animal Control630-407-2800
2255 Manchester Rd,
Wheaton, IL 60187
Check website for hours.
If not open, contact local police.
TLC Animal Shelter708-301-1594
13016 W 151st St,
Homer Glen, IL 60491
Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue815-730-6811
309 W Republic Ave,
Joliet, IL 60435
South Suburban Humane Society708-755-7387
21800 Central Ave,
Matteson, IL 60433
PAWS Tinley Park815-464-7298
8301 W 191st St,
Tinley Park, IL 60487
Its A Pittie Rescue (Pitbull Rescue)708-792-3311
501 c A, Peotone, IL
60468
Humane Indiana Shelter219-922-3811
421 45th St,
Munster, IN 46321
All Herding Breed2229 Maple Road,
Joliet, IL 60432
www.allherdingbreeddogrescue.com
Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue779-206-2132
2303 Oak Leaf St,
Joliet, IL 60432
Half-Way Home Animal Rescue15790 Lagrange Road,
Orland Park, IL 60462
www.hwhanimalrescue.com