Chicagoland Resources for Low-Cost Pet Care

Taking good care of your beloved furry family members costs money, and many pet owners face financial difficulties at some point. While falling on hard times is one of the top reasons people surrender their pets, financial hardship doesn’t always mean having to say goodbye to your loved ones. There are lots of resources out there for pet owners going through a financial crisis, from low-cost medical services to pet food pantries to temporary foster care. A.R.F. has compiled some DuPage County and Chicago-area low-cost pet care resources below because we want to help you keep your family together!

Low-Cost Pet Medical Services

• A.D.O.P.T. Naperville Spay/Neuter Services: Call (630) 355-2299
• Anderson Humane: Call (847) 697-2880
  • Low-cost vet care
• Animal Care League Spay/Neuter Services: Call (708) 848-8155
• Anti-Cruelty Society: Call (312) 644-8338 ext.347. Some low-income services are temporarily suspended until further notice, but keep checking the page for updates. 
• DuPage County Animal Services: Call (630) 407-2800. A Spay and Neuter Voucher is offered to DuPage County residents with SNAP, LINK, and/or Social Security Disability Insurance.
• Fox Valley Animal Welfare League: Call (630) 800-2254. Low-cost clinic services are offered for Illinois residents that receive Social Security, unemployment, or state aid.
• Paws Chicago Spay/Neuter Services: Call (773) 521-7729
• Spay Illinois: Call (630) 961-8000
  • Low-cost vaccinations are available for any IL resident, and they offer additional discounts for low-income families.
• Find another low-cost spay/neuter provider outside of the DuPage County/Chicago area.

Pet Food Pantries

DuPage County Pet Food Pantries

• Animal Care League Pets & People Support Program: Call (708) 848-8155. Fill out this application form to request a pet supply care package.
• Bruno’s Pro-Bone-O Pet Pantry: Call (630) 926-3610. Fill out an application form when you arrive at the Hanover Township Food Pantry.
• DuPage Senior Citizens Council Pet Care and Food Assistance: Call (630) 620-0804. Pet food deliveries and veterinary visits for pets of seniors.
• Wet Nose Pet Food Pantry: Call (708) 480-2538. Downloadable applications are available at the bottom of this page.

There are also some human food pantries in the DuPage area that will occasionally have pet food, depending on what is donated at the time. Call the pantry ahead of time to check availability.

• Glen Ellyn Food Pantry: Call (630) 469-6988. For qualified residents in Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Carol Stream, Wheaton, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Bloomingdale or Addison. 
• Downers Grove Area FISH: Call (630) 964-7776. For qualified residents in Lisle, Downers Grove or Westmont. 
• People’s Resource Center: Call (630) 682-5402. All residents of DuPage County are eligible to become a People’s Resource Center client.
• West Suburban Community Pantry: Call (630) 512-9921. For residents of DuPage County, Romeoville, and Bolingbrook who meet the federal income guidelines.
• Loaves and Fishes in Naperville: Call (630) 355-3663. Eligibility is based on the IL Emergency Food Program income guidelines.

Chicago Area Pet Food Pantries

• Care for Real Pet Pantry: Call (773) 769-6182 to find out if you are eligible for support.
• C.A.R.E. Pet Food Pantry: Fill out this application form to find out if you are eligible for support in the Skokie area.
• Friendship Pet Food Pantry. Call (773) 907-6388 to find out if you are eligible for support in Chicago.
• Irving Park Community Food Pantry Pet Food Corner: Call (773) 283-6296 to find out if you are eligible for support.
• Red Door Animal Shelter Café Program: Call (773) 764-2242. Clients must show proof of low-income or fixed-income status.

Temporary Pet Boarding for Families in Crisis

• A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter Blessed Bonds Program: Call (630) 355-2299. Temporary foster care for Chicagoland families or individuals in crisis.
• Naperville Area Humane Society: Call (630) 420-8989 x1005. Safe Pet Program for families in crisis.
• PAWS Chicago COVID-19 Crisis Foster Care: Call (773) 475-4242. For those in the Chicago area who are experiencing crisis and having difficulties caring for their pets. Click the link and scroll down to fill out the form in detail.

Grants for Pet Medical Care

• Pet Assistance, Inc.: Grants for emergency vet care.
• Banfield Foundation: Provides access to a national and state network of nonprofits for medical care assistance.
• The Mosby Foundation: Financial aid for emergency vet care for dogs.

Want to Help Others in Need?

Donate to A.R.F. so we can help owners keep pets in their homes, or consider donating to any of the organizations above to help provide low-cost pet care assistance for others. The Goods Program is like a food bank but for pet food, and A.R.F. is a recipient of their pet food and supply program.

More Resources

• When you adopt with A.R.F., you get 30 free days of pet insurance through Trupanion.
• Chicagoland Rescue Intervention & Support Program for Chicago residents.
• Saving Money on Pet Expenses from MoneyGeek.
• Waggle.org: Crowdfunding dedicated to pet medical expenses.

The items and businesses listed above are provided for information only, and their inclusion doesn’t indicate A.R.F.-Animal Rescue Foundation’s endorsement of their services.