ADOPTION INFO
Meet and greets are set up after we have an adoption application on file
THE PROCESS
Submit application
Preliminary screening
References
Approval/
denial
Meet and greet/animal transfer
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IF you are a good fit, we will contact you for a preliminary call (usually within 7 days)
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Vet reference
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Personal reference
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Fully vetted animals can be adopted right away
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Animals still needing medical care will be "foster to adopt"
PRICING
Puppy/dog
Puppy
$500
(under 6mo.)
Young adult dog
$400
(6 mo. - 1 yr.)
Adult dog
$350
(1yr+)
Senior dog
$200
(7yr. - 10yr.)
Super senior
name your price
(10yr.+)
Kitten/cat
20% off adoption total with adoption of second cat
Kitten
$250
(under 6mo.)
Young adult cat
$225
(6 mo. - 1 yr.)
Adult cat
$200
(1yr+)
Senior cat
$150
(8yr. - 13yr.)
Super senior
name your price
(13yr.+)
LOCATION
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Generally located within the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs
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Sometimes, for specific animals (that are fully vetted) we make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Adopters need to be willing to drive animals back to Chicago if it doesn’t work out
GENERAL ADOPTER REQUIREMENTS
ANIMAL LOVER(S)
We want to be confident that the animals that we are adopting out are going to good homes. It’s painful to say, but unfortunately we’ve been in situations where people are seemingly wonderful, but after dealing with them for one week, it becomes very clear that they do not value animals the way that we do. We expect that you, and your family, consider your adoptive animal a family member.
RESPECTFUL TO THE SAYv TEAM
We are a volunteer-run organization and everyone on the team does the absolute best that they can possibly do. Sometimes that means you will need to be patient, send us friendly reminders, etc. We have the ability (and will) deny an adoption if we are treated with disrespect in any capacity.
FAMILY ON BOARD
Your whole family should be on board with getting a new family member/family members. Children should be taught to respect animals and handle them with care.
RESPONSIVE
You have to correspond with the SAYv team in a timely manner.
PAY ON TIME
Adoption fees and related fees must be paid within 24 hours of request. We cannot accommodate delaying payments - it harms the animals that are currently in our care.
A CLEAN HOME
We expect all adopters to maintain clean and safe living conditions for themselves and the animals in their care. Excessive debris on the floors and counters, unsanitary conditions or anything similar may disqualify you as an adopter. We reserve the right to request a home visit at any point until the adoption is finalized.
MEDICAL PROTOCOLS
We expect adopters to adhere to our medical protocols without exception. We work with some wonderful vet partners and we operate based on their recommendations. This includes going to appointments on time, at locations that we approve (until adoption is finalized). There are no exceptions. You will receive details about our protocols when your application is approved. Example - animals are spayed after eight weeks of age, we will not argue about this with adopters.
EXPECTED CARE COSTS
We hope that every adopter understands the potential costs that come with having a new fur family member. Everyone can fall on hard times, which we completely understand, but going into adopting an animal, please keep in mind that animals can be quite costly and surprise expenses do happen.
TRAINING
We require all PUPPY adopters to pay for training classes with their adoptive fur family member. We do not allow any negative reinforcement training practices, including choke collars. We strongly recommend that adopters enroll in positive reinforcement training for adult dogs.
RETURN TO US
If for any reason you decide to return your adoptive animal, you need to contact the SAYv team immediately. You cannot give them away to another person, leave at a shelter, etc. without notifying us. If you want to surrender back to us, you will need to hold onto your previously adopted pet until we find placement. In any event, we must be notified.
CURRENT ANIMALS
Any animals in your current care must have up-to-date vaccines (unless there is a medical reason, with proof, as to why they are not). No one in the home can ever have previously been convicted of a violent crime or animal cruelty.
We have additional qualifications that will be assessed during your preliminary call. Our goal is to place animals with the best possible family and minimize the chance of return. Thank you!
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS
After your application is approved and a chat is created with the SAYv team:
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Remember to be RESPECTFUL to the team (see above) or we will revoke the adoption approval
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Sometimes it will take 72 hours+ for the SAYv team to respond, if you do not get a response, kindly send a reminder
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Review documentation sent on the "foster resources" link that you received during your approval process
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After medical care is completed it can take several weeks for us to process adoptions, please be patient and kind