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Pet Help in the Chicago Area

← All help in Illinois

In Chicago and need help now? For an emergency, go to a 24-hour hospital below and tell them if cost is a barrier. To lower costs, start with the spay/neuter programs and low-cost clinics. For a bill you can’t cover, get a free funding plan.

Want what’s closest to you? Search by ZIP code or your location.

Emergencies and 24-hour hospitals

  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) Buffalo Grove 24 hours
    43 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 · 847-754-3996
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.
  • MedVet Chicago 24 hours
    3305 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 · 773.281.7110
    Pet ER open 24/7/365, with urgent care and specialty services.
  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) Lincoln Park 24 hours
    755 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60610 · 312-757-5444
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.
  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) South Loop 24 hours
    1114 South Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60607 · 872-710-5226
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.
  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) Naperville 24 hours
    3204 Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564 · 630-503-7415
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.
  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) Oak Brook 24 hours
    1735 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523 · 331-808-2720
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.
  • VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) Schaumburg 24 hours
    1287 East Higgins Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173 · 847-430-4938
    24/7 emergency veterinary hospital providing emergency and urgent care, exotic pet care, end-of-life care, surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, diagnostics and hospitalization.

Spay, neuter and vouchers

Low-cost clinics and vaccines

  • Cook County Animal and Rabies Control - Free Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinics
    10220 South 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455 · 708-974-6140
    Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Partners in Prevention clinics offer free 1-year rabies vaccines and free microchips with no registration fee for Cook County dogs and cats, held with local animal organizations at locations around the county; select locations offer additional free vaccines. The department also handles bite investigations, rabies tags, lost and found pets and services for unincorporated areas.
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society Care Clinic and Spay/Neuter Clinic
    Chicago / Chicagoland · (312) 644-8338
    Appointment-only, low-priced primary care (vaccines, tests, preventives, minor services) and reduced-price spay/neuter for Chicagoland pets; no emergencies and no income test stated.
  • Tree House Humane Society Community Pop-Up Clinics
    Chicago neighborhoods
    Community pop-up clinics offering free rabies and distemper vaccines and free microchipping for cats and dogs, plus pet food and pet care help. Mobile spay/neuter clinics began in November 2024 with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Tree House Humane Society Veterinary Wellness Center
    7225 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645 · 872-302-4671
    Wellness clinic (not a full-service practice) that provides affordable spay and neuter surgery, vaccinations and testing for dogs and cats, plus a specially priced Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) package for community cats. Tiered pricing includes an accessible tier for people receiving SNAP, SSDI, WIC or a Medical Card.
  • Lake County Animal Care and Control Low-Cost Pet Clinics and Spay/Neuter Assistance
    18736 West Peterson Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 · 847-377-4700
    Low-cost rabies and distemper vaccinations, Lake County rabies registration and microchips for dogs and cats, offered on a limited basis at the Libertyville facility, with a senior discount on rabies registration. The program also provides spay and neuter assistance to qualified low-income Lake County residents.
  • South Suburban Humane Society Low-Cost Vet Clinic
    21800 Central Avenue · 708-320-0977
    Appointment-based outpatient clinic offering wellness exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, testing, general surgeries such as mass removals and minor orthopedics, free microchipping with registration, low-cost heartworm treatment, and end-of-life services for dogs and cats. Not equipped for emergencies or long-term hospitalization.
  • A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter Community Clinic
    425 Industrial Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 · 630-355-2299 ext. 201
    Community clinic offering affordable wellness exams, vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for any pet owner in the Chicago suburbs, as well as shelters and rescues. Spay/neuter includes a pre-surgical exam, with optional basic vaccines and blood tests. Special spay/neuter pricing is available for veterans and people receiving disability, Social Security or Link benefits. Saturday vaccine clinics are held on posted dates.
  • Paws for a Cause Vet Care (formerly Spay Illinois)
    1620 Bond St. · (630) 961-8000
    Nonprofit offering affordable dog and cat care (spay/neuter, wellness, vaccines, heartworm treatment, dental, surgery, end-of-life) with 0% APR payment plans; no income test stated.
  • Animal Care League - Chatka Ruggiero Low Cost Clinic
    1011 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 · 708-848-8155
    Low-cost clinic offering spay and neuter surgery, microchips, vaccinations (rabies, distemper, Bordetella) and FIV/FeLV and heartworm testing. Open to all members of the community.

Help paying a vet bill

  • Trio Animal Foundation
    Chicago 501(c)(3) that pays the medical bills of some of the sickest and abused pets left at open-access shelters, pairs recovering dogs with therapy dogs for emotional rehabilitation, and helps shelters, rescues and individuals by paying medical bills for homeless pets. It also promotes adoption and spay/neuter.
  • A.D.O.P.T. Two Hands, One Heart (Veterans with Senior Dogs)
    425 Industrial Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 · 331-226-4023
    Program run by the A.D.O.P.T. Community Clinic with Lizzy's Fund that helps U.S. veterans pay for approved veterinary services for their senior dogs at the A.D.O.P.T. Community Clinic in Naperville.

Veterinary hospitals and clinics

Pet food

  • The Anti-Cruelty Society Pet Food Pantry
    519 E. 103rd St. · (312) 644-8338
    Free dog food, cat food and a limited selection of supplies, while supplies last; all are welcome. Held at the Pet Resource Center, 519 E. 103rd St.
  • Evanston Animal Shelter Community Pet Pantry
    Evanston, Wilmette, Skokie, Rogers Park and Lincolnwood ZIP codes listed on the pantry page · 847-866-5082
    Pet pantry for Evanston-area residents who need help feeding their pets. Items vary and are available as supplies last: dry and wet cat and dog food, treats, cat litter, toys, and supplies such as crates, scratchers, pee pads, collars and leashes.
  • Hinsdale Humane Society Pet Food Pantries
    21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521 · 630-323-5630
    Pet food assistance offered by Hinsdale Humane Society at area food pantries and at its own monthly pet food pantry, to help pets stay in their homes.
  • Animal Care League Pets & People Support Program (Pet Food Pantry)
    Oak Park, Illinois and surrounding communities
    Pet food pantry operating since 2020 that provides care packages of pet food and supplies to pet owners who are struggling, to keep pets with their people and out of the shelter. Supplies are typically distributed within two weeks of a request.

Keeping your pet, end-of-life care and pet loss

  • Aurora Animal Care and Control
    600 S. River Street, Aurora, IL 60507 · 630-256-4770
    City of Aurora animal shelter and animal control offering pet adoptions, lost and found pet reunification, pet licensing for Aurora dogs and cats, response to sick and injured wildlife, and investigation of animal complaints within the city. The website lists affordable care resources and guidance on self-rehoming and surrendering a pet.
  • Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC)
    2741 S. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 · 312.747.1406
    City of Chicago animal shelter with walk-in adoptions. To adopt the same day, arrive by 5:30pm.
  • Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia - Chicago
    Greater Chicago area; an extended travel fee may apply based on location · 847-260-8066
    Veterinary end-of-life care in the greater Chicago area, exclusively in-home euthanasia and hospice (comfort care and pain management), plus telehospice consultations about a pet's quality of life. Some doctors are experienced with certain exotic species. Care Coordinators answer questions 24/7, and same-day appointments are accommodated when possible.
  • One Tail at a Time
    2144 N Wood St., Chicago, IL 60614
    Chicago rescue with a Bucktown dog adoption center and an everyday dog and cat adoption center inside the PetSmart on South Canal Street. Its Adopter Support program offers Dutch's Fund veterinary grants and Stella's Fund training grants to One Tail adopters facing financial hardship. The website also lists low-cost spay/neuter clinics in the Chicago area.
  • PAWS Chicago Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center
    1997 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 · 773-935-7297
    PAWS Chicago's cage-free adoption center in Lincoln Park, with Kitty City rooms for cats and kittens and Dog Town spaces with a rooftop play area for dogs and puppies. PAWS also runs the Kocourek Medical Center and Lurie Clinic at 3516 W. 26th Street, a training center, and an Englewood Outreach Program for pet owners in Englewood and Back of the Yards (773-217-9113).
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society - Shelter, Adoption and Animal Admissions
    157 West Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654 · 312-644-8338
    Private, independent nonprofit open-admission shelter in River North that accepts animals regardless of behavior or medical history and runs adoption, foster and pet owner support programs. The Admissions team helps owners explore options for keeping pets at home and accepts surrendered pets as space allows; it can also help with sick or injured stray cats found in Chicago. Healthy, manageable pets go into the adoption program with no time limit on their stay.
  • Tree House Humane Society - Cat Shelter and Adoption
    7225 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645 · 773-262-4000
    Cat shelter in West Ridge that places nearly 1,000 cats a year. Cats live in cage-free colonies and receive care from the in-house shelter clinic, including neutering, microchipping, vaccinations and treatment of known health issues; the shelter focuses on kittens, nursing mothers and sick or injured strays.
  • West Suburban Humane Society
    1901 W. Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 · 630-960-9600
    Downers Grove humane society that matches adopters with dogs and cats suited to their family and lifestyle, and publishes a Resource Center with trainer and vet advice and a consolidated list of resources for pet owners in need.
  • Evanston Animal Shelter
    2310 Oakton St., Evanston, IL 60202 · 847-866-5082
    Evanston's only open-admission, no-kill shelter for dogs and cats, operated by the nonprofit Evanston Animal Shelter Association. It offers adoption, fostering and a Community Pet Pantry, and handles more than 500 animals a year.
  • Kane County Animal Control
    4060 Keslinger Road, Geneva, IL 60134 · 630-232-3555
    County animal control and shelter that enforces rabies vaccination and Kane County rabies tags for dogs and cats, handles bite cases, contains stray dogs and investigates nuisance and neglect or abuse complaints in unincorporated Kane County and contracted towns. It offers pet adoptions, lost and found listings, and rehoming guidance with resources for medical care, housing and behavior.
  • Hinsdale Humane Society
    21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521 · 630-323-5630
    Animal shelter and pet rescue resource center saving lives since 1947, with dogs and cats for adoption and a Help for Your Pet program aimed at keeping pets in their homes.
  • Will County Animal Protection Services
    22452 S. Cherry Hill Rd., Joliet, IL 60433 · 815-462-5633
    County animal protection program whose officers respond to animal bites and to animal complaints in unincorporated Will County areas not served by other local programs. It keeps a 24-hour answering service with emergency pick-up of confined strays, injured animals and stray biters, and offers adoptions by appointment. The facility is administrative offices only and cannot accept owner turn-ins or drop-offs; the page lists Will County Humane Society, Joliet Township Animal Protection Services and Animal Welfare League as local shelters.
  • Lake County Animal Care and Control
    18736 West Peterson Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 · 847-377-4700
    Lake County Health Department program that enforces animal laws, keeps a lost and found pet database, provides interim shelter for stray and unwanted animals and transfers them to adoption centers, rescues injured and sick strays, investigates bites and cruelty, and submits specimens for rabies testing. Owners who can no longer care for a cat or dog can submit a Pet Relinquishment Request; acceptance depends on space with rescue partners.
  • Wright-Way Rescue
    5915 Lincoln Avenue, Morton Grove, IL 60053 · 847-728-5434
    Rescue that brings homeless dogs and cats from underserved rural areas to adoption, with an adoption center in Morton Grove, a satellite adoption center at Lambs Farm in Libertyville, a veterinary clinic in Morton Grove offering exam-with-vaccine appointments, foster programs, Seniors for Seniors, and help for owners surrendering a pet.
  • A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter
    420 Industrial Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 · 630-355-2299
    Naperville shelter founded in 1989 that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes dogs, cats and small animals, and has placed more than 30,000 pets. It offers adoption, owner surrender services, training programs and a community veterinary clinic.
  • Animal Care League Adoption Center
    1009 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60304 · 708-848-8155
    Oak Park animal shelter offering adoption of dogs, cats and small pets, fostering, dog training, a lost pet reclaim line and a Pet Resource Center with housing, behavior, medical and food assistance information.
  • Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter
    2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015 · 847-945-0235
    Animal shelter in Riverwoods (Deerfield) with dogs and cats for adoption, plus a Pet Showcase adoption location at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. The shelter also holds community events such as free dog food giveaways for local families.
  • Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia - West Chicago
    West Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods; a location-based fee may apply · 630-449-3454
    In-home end-of-life care for dogs and cats in West Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods, including in-home euthanasia, hospice comfort care and pain management, and telehospice consultations; some exotic pets can be seen. Care Coordinators answer questions 24/7, and same-day appointments are accommodated when possible.
  • DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS)
    2255 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 · 630-407-2800
    The only public animal shelter in DuPage County. DCAS cares for lost, homeless, hurt, sick and abandoned animals, offers adoption of dogs, cats, rabbits and small animals, helps families find lost pets, registers pets, investigates bites and (in unincorporated DuPage County) abuse, neglect and dangerous dogs. It offers low-cost microchipping for DuPage County residents and runs a Cat Spay and Neuter Program that helps with spay/neuter costs for cats owned by DuPage residents receiving SNAP or Social Security Disability benefits.

Paying for a bigger bill

Ask any hospital about payment plans, CareCredit or Scratchpay, and apply to more than one assistance program. Ways to pay a vet bill in Illinois lists the programs that are open now, and a free funding plan puts them together for your pet, with a free fundraiser page if you want one.

Every listing was checked on the provider’s own website. Know a place we’re missing? Tell us.

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