Frequently Asked Questions about the Society
What services does The Anti-Cruelty Society provide?
Are you “no kill”?
Yes, like “no-kill” shelters, The Anti-Cruelty Society does not euthanize based on space or time; we do euthanize when an animal is too sick or aggressive to be rehabilitated. We are an open-admission shelter (meaning we don’t turn any animal away, no matter what their condition). For more information and definitions of “no kill”, limited admission, and open admission, read here.
Are you supported by tax dollars?
No, we are a private, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization and rely on the generous support from caring individuals, our events, and caring foundations and corporations.
Are you part of a national organization?
No, we are a private, non-profit organization based in Chicago since 1899. We do not receive operating funding from any parent organization.
How many animals do you help in an average year?
How can you work/volunteer there? It’s so sad.
Visit our facility and you’ll find that it’s an inviting, bright, and clean place. Thanks to hardworking staff and volunteers, pets in our facility receive quality care, social interaction, and exercise. We see the work we do as both rewarding and inspiring because we have a positive impact on the lives of many animals and on the people we reach. While we do see sad cases of cruelty or neglect, we also experience the joy and satisfaction that comes when we rescue the animal and find a loving, new home.
I want to volunteer at The Anti-Cruelty Society. How can I get involved?
Volunteering at The Anti-Cruelty Society means more than just spending time with a cat or dog—
it's about making a difference in our community, preparing animals to meet their forever families, facilitating life-long bonds, and networking with other animal-loving people along the way.
Whether you have several hours a week or just a handful of hours every month, the animals need you! For details, read here.
Do you have age restrictions on working or volunteering at The Anti-Cruelty Society?
Employees and regular volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. We do offer a teen service learning opportunity, visit our website for details, read here.
How do you determine when an animal’s “time is up?”
We do not impose artificial time limits on animals. As long as the animal remains healthy and behaviorally sound, he/she will stay in our adoption program. Staff and volunteers socialize and exercise animals to help keep them healthy while they are in our care. If an animal begins to show signs of stress in the shelter, we may transfer him/her to another facility or rescue groups or provide a temporary respite in a foster home.
What are rescues and why to you send some pets to them?
Rescues are organizations that find home for specific breeds or animals with special needs such as medical or behavioral issues. They are often run solely by volunteers and fosters, meaning they have no permanent facility. Many have waiting lists for their particular breed. We screen all of our rescue partners to ensure the best animal welfare. We use rescues and other partners to help us place as many animals as possible into permanent homes.
Can I enroll my dog in the School of Dog Training even though I didn’t adopt from you?
Absolutely, we welcome dogs from any source! Dogs must be vaccinated, healthy, and adult dogs must be spayed/neutered. And anyone can use our free Behavior Hotline and our affordable spay/neuter clinic.
- Adoptions
- Affordable Spay and Neuter
- Charity Veterinary Clinic
- Free Behavior Hotline
- Humane Education
- Humane Investigations
- Owner Requested Euthanasia
- Pet Loss Support
- S.A.F.E. Program (Short Term Accommodations for Emergencies)
- School of Dog Training
- Volunteer Opportunities
Are you “no kill”?
Yes, like “no-kill” shelters, The Anti-Cruelty Society does not euthanize based on space or time; we do euthanize when an animal is too sick or aggressive to be rehabilitated. We are an open-admission shelter (meaning we don’t turn any animal away, no matter what their condition). For more information and definitions of “no kill”, limited admission, and open admission, read here.
Are you supported by tax dollars?
No, we are a private, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization and rely on the generous support from caring individuals, our events, and caring foundations and corporations.
Are you part of a national organization?
No, we are a private, non-profit organization based in Chicago since 1899. We do not receive operating funding from any parent organization.
How many animals do you help in an average year?
- Our veterinarians spay/neuter over 12,000 pets each year.
- We adopt over 5,000 dogs and cats each year.
- Our Humane Investigators respond to over 2,600 complaints concerning animal abuse or neglect.
- Our Behavior Hotline helps over 2,000 pet owners each year.
How can you work/volunteer there? It’s so sad.
Visit our facility and you’ll find that it’s an inviting, bright, and clean place. Thanks to hardworking staff and volunteers, pets in our facility receive quality care, social interaction, and exercise. We see the work we do as both rewarding and inspiring because we have a positive impact on the lives of many animals and on the people we reach. While we do see sad cases of cruelty or neglect, we also experience the joy and satisfaction that comes when we rescue the animal and find a loving, new home.
I want to volunteer at The Anti-Cruelty Society. How can I get involved?
Volunteering at The Anti-Cruelty Society means more than just spending time with a cat or dog—
it's about making a difference in our community, preparing animals to meet their forever families, facilitating life-long bonds, and networking with other animal-loving people along the way.
Whether you have several hours a week or just a handful of hours every month, the animals need you! For details, read here.
Do you have age restrictions on working or volunteering at The Anti-Cruelty Society?
Employees and regular volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. We do offer a teen service learning opportunity, visit our website for details, read here.
How do you determine when an animal’s “time is up?”
We do not impose artificial time limits on animals. As long as the animal remains healthy and behaviorally sound, he/she will stay in our adoption program. Staff and volunteers socialize and exercise animals to help keep them healthy while they are in our care. If an animal begins to show signs of stress in the shelter, we may transfer him/her to another facility or rescue groups or provide a temporary respite in a foster home.
What are rescues and why to you send some pets to them?
Rescues are organizations that find home for specific breeds or animals with special needs such as medical or behavioral issues. They are often run solely by volunteers and fosters, meaning they have no permanent facility. Many have waiting lists for their particular breed. We screen all of our rescue partners to ensure the best animal welfare. We use rescues and other partners to help us place as many animals as possible into permanent homes.
Can I enroll my dog in the School of Dog Training even though I didn’t adopt from you?
Absolutely, we welcome dogs from any source! Dogs must be vaccinated, healthy, and adult dogs must be spayed/neutered. And anyone can use our free Behavior Hotline and our affordable spay/neuter clinic.
