The decision to add a pet to your family is a big one. We believe pets are a lifetime commitment and look for adopters that share that belief.

The first step in adopting a pet from PPAH is to complete and submit an application.  The next step is to arrange to meet the pet that you are interested in adopting.  To do so, please EMAIL us at to arrange a meet-and-greet with the pet and a volunteer at whichever adoption center the pet is located.  If the pet is in a foster home, a meet-and-greet can set up only after an application is approved.

After receiving an application, the adoption counselor completes a screening process.  If an applicant is approved, an appointment is made to complete the adoption paperwork and take the pet home.  The adoption appointment usually takes place at one of our pet store adoption centers.

Processing time can take up to a week. As we are a 100% volunteer-operated organization, and each member of PPAH maintains a full-time job as well a family, your patience is greatly appreciated. We sincerely try to do our best to not only process applications in a timely manner, but also to keep applicants up-to-date as to where they are in the process.

Online Application Form

The following guidelines are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both our rescue pets and our adoptive families.  Adopters must:

• Primary applicant and caregiver must be at least 21 years old.
• Reside in Chicago or the immediate surrounding areas.  We are a very small rescue group and we reserve the right to decide if you are not close enough to our central location to work with and keep in touch.
• Demonstrate the ability and commitment to provide proper care, exercise and vetting for the lifetime of the pet.
• Understand that we do not adopt single kittens into homes with no other pets, namely cats.  This policy is in the best interest of the cats in our care and is shared by many rescue groups nationwide. To learn more about this policy, please see attached document.
• Show proof of home ownership or landlord approval.

PPAH reserves the right to approve or decline any adoption applications that do not meet the organization’s adoption criteria, as determined in its sole discretion.

We consider PPAH to be like a match making service.  In our foster-based rescue, almost all of our adoptable pets have lived with one of our volunteer foster families.  These families take the time to get to know the pets that we are looking to place.  We use the information provided by the foster family and match that with the needs and wants of the applicant. This method allows for PPAH to help you avoid choosing the wrong pet and instead adopt a pet that is a great match for your specific household.

All of our cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, micro-chipped with an Avid I.D., de-wormed, de-flead, up to date on shots and treated for ear mites. They also receive any additional necessary medical care.  Cats are tested for FIV/Leukemia. Dogs are Heartworm tested.

Absolutely!  If for any reason at all, you can no longer care for a pet adopted from PPAH, you can absolutely return him or her to us.  In fact, it is a requirement of the adoption agreement.

Certainly!  We are wholeheartedly dedicated to helping surrendered pets find their forever homes. Like many non-profit organizations, volunteers are an integral part of our establishment and we rely heavily on their support and hard work.  In fact, everything our rescue achieves is accomplished through the generous efforts of our volunteers.

We are an all-volunteer organization with little overhead.  Virtually all of the money donated to PPAH goes directly to vetting, food, and supplies for the pets in our care.  A very small percentage is used for maintaining a website and producing our limited promotional material.

Certainly! We are wholeheartedly dedicated to helping surrendered pets find their forever homes. Like many non-profit organizations, volunteers are an integral part of our establishment and we rely heavily on their support and hard work. In fact, everything our rescue achieves is accomplished through the generous efforts of our volunteers.

Definitely! We are always in need of foster homes due to the overwhelming number of homeless cats (and sometimes dogs). The main goal of a foster home is to provide a caring, loving, and secure environment for homeless cat(s) or dog(s) until the pet is matched and adopted into a qualifying home, or until there is room at one of our adoption centers.

Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy, healthy pets just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelter pets ended up there because of a human problem like a move or a divorce, not because the animal did anything wrong.

When you adopt a pet, the cost of spay/neuter, first vaccinations and sometimes microchipping is usually included in the adoption price, which means you’ve scored a major deal—a fuzzy deal who will thank you with kisses or purrs for years to come.

No one needs to see another selfie—unless it’s a selfie of you with the adorable cat you just adopted, like the hero you are! Adopt a pet, post the pictures and let the love (likes) roll in.

Many of the pets from shelters and rescues are already house trained, which means you’re not only saving a pet’s life, you may be saving your rug.

Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups. And when you adopt, you can also feel proud about helping an animal in need.

And get a new best friend in the bargain. Seriously, what could be better than that?