We're Here to Help!
Anti-Cruelty is here for you throughout your entire adoption journey. From meeting your new companion, to providing post-adoption support, Anti-Cruelty has a variety of resources available to you to help set you and your new pet up for success. Our adoption team will be checking in with you several days after your adoption to see how things are going. In the meantime, explore the resources below for additional information about available services and partnerships for our adopters.
If you need immediate assistance, call 312-644-8338 or email us at adoption@anticruelty.org.
Pet Care Library
Bringing home a new pet is an exciting time for both the adopter and the animal. To ensure you have all the information you need to help your pet acclimate, we have developed special guides in our Pet Care Library to help you through the transition period, including our 3-3-3 handout. This guide will help you and your new pet work through their acclimation period, providing specific tips on how to navigate transitions at the 3 day, 3 week, and 3 month marks.
For additional tips and advice about a variety of topics, including pet care, nutrition, health, behavior, training, and more, visit our full Pet Care Library here.
Behavior Support
Behavior Helpline: Anti-Cruelty's free Behavior Helpline offers support and instruction to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their cats and dogs free of charge. Email behavior@anticruelty.org or call 312-645-8253 for assistance.
GoodPup
GoodPup offers extensive virtual training services for dogs of all ages, breeds, and behaviors. Experienced trainers and veterinary experts provide adopters with private, 1-1 training sessions, as well as unlimited 24/7 chat to develop personalized training plans for your new dog. As an adopter from Anti-Cruelty, you will qualify for a free 7-day GoodPup trial, as well as a lifetime discount. Sign up for your free trial here.
Our Clinic
At Anti-Cruelty, our goal is to send every adopter home with a happy and healthy companion. To help ensure this, our skilled veterinary staff provides a complete and thorough veterinary exam to every pet prior to them becoming available for adoption. This includes vaccinations against rabies and other diseases, a heartworm test for dogs, and a feline leukemia test for cats.
Please note: Anti-Cruelty is not a private veterinary clinic and does not provide ongoing or emergency care. If you are unable to schedule a wellness exam with one of our suggested partners and have an urgent medical need within 15 days of adoption, please contact our Welcome Team between the hours of 9 a.m.–6 p.m. at 312-644-8338.
Private Veterinarians
We encourage our new adopters to schedule a visit for their new pet with their permanent, long-term veterinarian within the first few weeks of bringing a new family member home. Due to the high demand for veterinary appointments at private practices throughout Chicagoland, it is important to call to book an appointment as soon after adoption as possible to ensure a timely follow-up.
VCA Hospitals
We partner with VCA Hospitals to provide special services to pet owners who have adopted from Anti-Cruelty, including a complimentary health exam within 14 days of your adoption date as well as complimentary 14 day follow up care (up to $500).
To find a VCA near you, visit vcahospitals.com.
Veterinary Ambassadors
Our partnered Veterinary Ambassadors partners provide an initial wellness examination for our adopters’ new pets for only $20. This benefit is for one visit within 90 days of adopting from Anti-Cruelty. Adopters also receive a 5% discount on any needed diagnostic tests, vaccinations, or procedures recommended during the wellness exam.
View the list of Veterinary Ambassadors here.
24PetWatch Microchip
24PetWatch provides pets adopted from any of our locations with a microchip that is registered to the adopter for the lifetime of the pet.
In the event you have changed your address, phone number, or email address since adoption, reach out to 24PetWatch directly to update your contact information by calling 1-866-597-2424.
Adopter Facebook Group
We know that bringing home an adopted pet is something to be celebrated – which is why we’ve created a special private group for our adopters! We encourage adopters to connect with other animal lovers and adoption advocates who have adopted from Anti-Cruelty through this social media platform. Be on the lookout for an invitation to the group via email.