All of our adoptable dogs are located in private foster homes. Dogs are available for viewing by appointment only after an adoption application is submitted and approved.
To adopt from Young at Heart Pet Rescue, you must:
- Be 21 years of age.
- Have landlord’s permission to have a pet (we will check!)
- Have taken good care of any current or previous pets and have taken them in regularly for check-ups (we’ll speak with your vet!)
- Have an ID with current address.
- Have an adoption application approved by a Young at Heart staff member.
- If you are out of state, you must have had pets prior to adopting from Young at Heart and have a veterinary reference. Some breeds of dogs will be restricted to in-state adoptions only.
Because we strive to make both our adoptable pets AND our adopting families as happy as possible, you may not always be able to adopt the pet you have fallen in love with online. Though it is easy to fall in love with a picture, in real life, you may not be a good match for each other. But don’t worry! We will help you find a dog or cat that matches what you are looking for so that you and your new furry companion can have a happily ever after!
Adoption fee for dogs: $165
Your companion will already be spayed or neutered, tested negative for Heartworm, given all veterinarian recommended vaccines including a 1 year Rabies Vaccine, a 24PetWatch microchip, a senior wellness chemistry panel, and 30 days of free ShelterCare pet insurance. Many of our adoptable companions also receive dental procedure, and any other procedure necessary to get your canine companion ready for adoption! Any known medical or behavioral conditions are listed.
All of our adoptable companions come with a 14-day Money Back Guarantee.
To be considered for one of our adoptable companions, please fill out an adoption application and fax it to 847.890.6404.
Our favorite part of rescuing senior dogs and cats are the wonderful people and families who adopt them! These senior pets have recently found loving families! Enjoy!
Don’t see what you’re looking for here? Check out these other seniors in need of homes!
Hi there! I’m Bella, a very cute and bubbly 10 year old poodle who LOVES people! I am super fun and cuddly, and love nothing more than to be in your lap or your arms. I am a new addition to Young at Heart, and I am so much fun. I love to play and tease you and run around in happy circles. I am crate-trained, and appear to be housebroken. I am good with small dogs, but am a very faithful watchdog when I see dogs I don’t know, and can have a bit of a Napoleon complex sometimes. I would love a home where I can be the princess! I’d be an excellent companion for a senior who wants a dog that loves lap time, or someone who works from home – I really love the company of my people! I was just groomed, I’m healthy and ready for my new home! Will you be the love of my life?
Hi there! I’m Bernice, and I am a fantastically fun little girl! I am an 8 year old basset mix who is as fun and as friendly as they come. You can’t help but smile when you’re around me, as my happy-go-lucky spirit is contagious. I am good with other dogs, respectful of cats, great with kids (though I may bowl over the shorter ones), and housebroken. I could use a little work on a leash, as my low center of gravity makes me a great puller, but other than that, I’m perfect! I’m a super smart girl, and I know what I want out of life – I want to be with you! So sometimes I’ll take my favorite dog bed or mat and drag it gently to where I want to lay down, and often, that’s right next to you! I take treats very gently, and love to be snuggled. I would be great for any family. I am ready for my next adventure. Is that with you?
Hi there! I’m Biscuit, and if you’re looking for sweet and fun, then I’m your girl! I am an 8-10 year old female pomeranian/chihuahua mix. I like other dogs my size and am a spunky little girl. I love my friends, and enjoy meeting new people and being snuggled. I am crate-trained and most likely housebroken, though I am being boarded until a foster home open up, so it’s a little hard for the rescue to tell 100%. I really like walks and car rides, and just like being with you. I’m healthy and ready to meet my new family!!
Hi, I’m Callie - a 9 year old Lab mix that is still very spunky and full of life! I’m house trained and very well behaved. I LOVE everyone – my foster mom thinks my tail is going to wag right off some day (she calls me Calli-wag) - but I’m just so happy I can’t help it. Here’s my top list of things I love: People, my food, other dogs (cats may be OK too), tennis balls, treats, laying next to YOU, soft squeaky toys, drinking water, treats, walks, belly rubs, laying on my soft doggie bed, did I already say treats? Well you get the idea… I’m a very good girl who cannot wait to have an active family that will love me forever! Please come to see me soon - I just CAN’T wait to meet you!!!
Thanks to my friend Chevet’ Linton for sponsoring me!
Hi there! I’m Daisy, and I am ready to be your best friend! If you’re looking for an easy addition to your family, I’m your gal! Housebroken, good with dogs and cats, friendly and trustworthy in the house, I am the perfect package! I am about 8 years old and am a dream for your first dog or your 10th dog! I love to be loved on, to go for car rides, to go for walks, and playtime! I have no problem sharing the love with other dogs or cats either – they’re my buddies! Want to meet me? Fill out an application! I’m waiting!!
On Hold for Medical Treatment
Hi! I’m Howie, the cutest little 10 year old Pomeranian you’ll ever meet! My elderly mom couldn’t take care of me any more, so I ended up at the pound. I was really scared and almost didn’t end up leaving the pound (if you know what I mean!), but luckily YAH came along and saved me. I am super friendly with everyone, but seem to prefer women. Kids are ok, but since I’m so tiny, I’d do better in a home with older kids that aren’t running around so they wouldn’t accidentally step on me! Dogs and cats are ok by me, too. I am house trained about 90%, and use piddle pads for the other 10% and am not a picky eater at all – but I do need soft food, since I just had most of my teeth pulled out and I’m feeling alot better. I REALLY like short walks and mostly just being with you, so if you’re someone that works at home – or is only gone a few hours a day – that would be the “bees-knees”!
A big smooch to my sponsors! Brett Gentile & Nancy Witzigreuter
Hi there! I’m Lady Bug, and I am a very good girl. I’m a 9 year old collie/lab mix, and I lost my home when my family was forced to move into public housing…. and though they tried to sneak me in, I got evicted. At the pound, I was so upset, I tried to chew my way out of the kennels. When Young at Heart took me in, I was so happy, but I didn’t understand I was safe and tried to chew my way out of their kennels, too! So boy was I happy when I arrived at my foster home! I found the fluffiest bed and took the world’s longest dog nap. I was exhausted! I have proved to be a very good dog since day one. I’m completely trustworthy and housebroken, I’m good with other dogs as long as I’m introduced to them slowly, and am totally fine with cats. I’m not really a toy sort of girl, but I love bones! I also love my fluffy canine foster sister because she plays my favorite game, “Chewy Face”. We make a lot of fun growling noises while we play and pretend to chomp each others’ faces, but we have so much fun! Outside I’ll run around with my foster siblings, and I like to go for walks and car rides. I’m good with gentle kids, too. I’m such a loving girl, enjoying head rubs and belly rubs and any sort of attention you’d like to give me. I have some mild food allergies, which caused me to itch the hair off my back end, but it’s slowly growing back, and now that I’m on a grain-free diet, I’m not itchy at all anymore. The rescue knows now why my family tried so hard to sneak me into their new home, but I’m safe now, and will soon have a loving home again! Want to meet me? Fill out an application!
Howdy! I’m Nacho, and I am one lucky little fella! I was surrendered to animal control as part of a hoarding case with 24 other chihuahuas! I watched all the other chihuahuas go to other rescues and shelters, but I was 8-10 years old, so I kept getting passed over. The day Young at Heart came to the animal control I was at, the shelter manager couldn’t promise me much more time. So, despite not having any room left at the “inn”, Young at Heart rescued me that day. I am a healthy guy, and have just been neutered and had my teeth cleaned. I’m crate-trained and appear to be housebroken, though I am a kennel until a foster home opens up, so it’s a little hard for the rescue to tell yet. I am VERY food motivated, and could probably learn just about anything in exchange for a treat! I’m learning how to walk on a leash very well, and now that it’s cold, the rescue is trying to convince me that a jacket will help keep me warm. As you can see from the one photo, I’m not quite sure about jackets yet — I think they are just following me! I’m a very sweet little guy, and would do well with other dogs close to my size. If you’d like to meet me, please fill out an application!! I would love to spend the rest of my life getting the attention that I missed out on the first half of my life!
*Nellie is not yet ready for adoption, but adoption applications will be considered as we rehab her. Nellie’s family must be local to the Palatine Area (within short driving distance), as Nellie will need multiple visits with her potential family before going home.*
Hi there! I’m Nellie, and perhaps you’ve been following my story on Facebook and you know all about me. Perhaps you just stopped by, and you don’t know my story — let me tell you, in a nutshell. My owner of many years fell ill, and one of my neighbors took me to the pound. I found myself in a loud and scary environment that I would not last long in. The volunteers at the pound took a video of me and it began to circulate. So many people were crying because of how scared I was, but Young at Heart sent a volunteer to the pound to go rescue me. Everyone thought I was scared just because of being at the pound, but it turns out, I’m pretty much scared in general. I had completely shut down emotionally, and was, to put it mildly, a broken dog. The vet thinks I have lived a very sheltered life, perhaps never leaving my former house, or a small yard. I have had to learn how to trust, how to walk on a leash inside, and then how to walk on a leash outside. I may be housebroken, but so far, I’m still learning that the outside of my new world is not a scary one. I’m very sweet, and the longer I am in my foster home, the more I am coming out of my shell. I am beginning to play and bounce and be a happy-go-lucky dog inside again. My foster parents have the utmost patience, and because of it, I am slowly blossoming. I am a healthy girl, and will be spayed shortly. Though the neighbor said I was probably 11 years old, my vet thinks I’m only 7 or 8 years old. I have mild arthritis in my hind end, but at this point in time, I do not require medication for it. The rescue is looking for a very special home for me, one that understands that I may shut down once more in a new environment. The transition to a new home will be a slow one, and only the perfect home for my needs will be accepted. My new home cannot have kids, needs to have one or less stairs going from the house to the yard, and my new mom or dad must be able to lift 50 lbs for those times when I just shut down out of fear. I know it sounds like a lot, but if you could see how far I’ve come, you would understand why. It will take a very special person or couple to help me transition from my foster home to my new home and to support me emotionally in any way I need.
ON HOLD FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT:
Hi there! I’m Noel, and if I could ask for one thing for the holidays, it would be for a home that will love me forever. See, I was found as a stray – I had nasty ear infections, a skin infection, and my former “family” had let me go so long with “dry eye” that my eyes are now permanently scarred, leaving me with little vision. I didn’t have much of a chance at the pound, so Young at Heart stepped in and saved me, and I am forever grateful! I love to show it by loving everyone I meet as much as my little heart can! I’m feeling much better now, after antibiotics and ear meds, and most importantly, eye drops for my eyes! I’ll have to stay on the drops for life, but I’m very good about them -after all, they make me feel better! My little butt just wiggles non-stop, and my lack of sight does not slow me down one bit! I’m about 8 years old, I love walks, car rides, and snuggle time, and I’m perfectly housebroken and good with other dogs. I am very, very sweet and the rescue keeps telling me that somewhere out there is a family who knows how to care for such a good dog like me. I believe them. After all, it’s the season of miracles, and I’ve already experienced the miracle of having my life saved when it was almost too late! Now I get a second chance at a happily ever after!
Thank you to my friend, Anne Copeland, for sponsoring me!
Let me introduce myself. My name is Rhett. I am a Manchester Terrier/Min Pin mix around 7 or 8 years of age, and I’ve been waiting for that special someone to come along and be my “furever” home since I was rescued. My foster family says I am a “hoot” to just be around and watch. To be honest, I think I am free entertainment for them. Let me tell you about some of my favorite things to do. I love running in the backyard from side to side, keeping on the lookout for squirrels and intruders. I kind of have a crush on a cute Boston Terrier that lives behind us. We like to gallivant along the fence line together. She can really tire me out. On warmer days when I get hot from running, I will go jump in my pool. Yes, I love dipping in my pool to cool off and I also use it as a large drinking bowl. I also love my walks. There’s no other way to put it – I don’t like them, or tolerate them – I LOVE them! I get so excited to go for a walk, I actually jump straight up and down, and I can really jump! I also do love to sit on your lap, as snuggling under the blankets with you while I nap is an all-time favorite pastime for me. I am very well potty trained and crate trained. We do have a cat here at my foster home. Although I do not seem to pay much attention to her, I have to admit that I have been caught a few times eating her food. They keep moving it on me, but it is pretty tasty. I’ve lived with two dogs in my foster home, and we all get along just fine. One thing you will notice about me is that my tail never stops wagging. I am just a happy guy looking for a forever home. I would also like to tell you I have the warmest brown eyes you will ever see. So, how do I sound so far???? Do you want to meet up with me???? I truly am a great guy.
Hi there! Are you wondering whose the best wiggly butt in the midwest? That would be me! I’m Ronna (pronounced Roan-a), and I am such an adorable little girl. My favorite thing in the whole world is snuggling, so I hope you are interested in having a love bug join your family. I’m a beautiful beagle, and a quiet one, too! So far, my mom has only heard my AROO twice! I get along great with all dogs, and I’m even good friends with my foster mom’s kitty. Got kids? Love ‘em! I’m learning how to walk on a leash, but I’m very respectful about it and don’t pull at all. My last family didn’t really walk me ever, but I’m getting it! My foster mom has also been housebreaking me, and I’m a smart girl! I’ve got it down pretty well, but I will need a loving family with a little patience to help me adjust to a new routine in my new home. I love to be held like a baby, though I am a bit big for it, but if you let me curl up in your lap, I’m as happy as a dog can be! I love to be outside and enjoy all the sniffs and smells, but I also love curling up with you inside, leaning into you, and just looking up at you adoringly with my big brown eyes. I’m such a good girl, I’d love a family of my own. Please pick me!
Hi, I’m Sunny! And it is always a sunny day when I am around. I act much younger than my 11 years. I am happy, smiling, cheerful, and get along well with everyone. I was dumped in an open-admission shelter with my 15 year old brother Prince last winter. We were languishing away until Young at Heart saved us! We went to a foster home where we got along with all the other dogs, and enjoyed the yard and all the good outdoors smells. Then we were adopted to a family, but after 6 months we came back to Young at Heart. Why did we come back? Well, here is where I have to be honest. Did my description above make me sound perfect? I’m not. Like all of us, I have my flaws. My weakness is that I will mark interesting smells in a new house until I feel settled. So you will have to keep me in a belly band. That’s easy- it will come with me, and you put it on me when I am in the house ( easy- just attach a Velcro strip), and take it off when I go outside. That way if I try to mark, it stays in the band, and I don’t like the feel of it so I learn not to mark. Even though my adopted family was told this, they did not use the belly band so I did not learn to not mark. But I’m already being a good boy in my foster home since my belly band has been on since I came back! I love hugs and belly rubs and will “wooo woo woo” with happiness when I see you. Come on, winter is coming and you know you will need some sunshine. I’ll bring it with me! My brother Prince is a Sanctuary resident now, but I’m looking for a home of my own! Just call Young at Heart and ask to meet me. Woo woo woo, woofs, and hugs from me, Sunny!
Thank you to my friend for sponsoring me! Jaime Buehrle
Hi there, I’m Yoda, and I am a very lucky 14-year-old Poodle. I was found as a stray in the suburbs and brought to an open access shelter in Chicago. Even I have to admit that I was in pretty bad shape. I was severely matted and my teeth were badly infected. I needed help, and fast! So I went to the shelter clinic, where they pulled all of my rotten teeth and they neutered me, too. They were also able to figure out that my vision is pretty limited, but that doesn’t stop me! Once I was rescued and moved to a foster home, everyone could see that I navigate my foster home like a champ, and can go up and down the deck stairs to the backyard without any problems. And even though I don’t have any teeth, I LOVE to eat (soft food, of course!) and I get very excited when I smell food. I’m pretty cute! I get along with my canine and feline foster siblings. I’m a peace-loving guy, so they don’t bother me a bit. I love to sleep with my human foster parents, as I am quite the cuddlebug and love to get hugs. I come when you call my name and make some noise for me to follow. I know where the love is! My senior wellness check-up revealed some fluid in my lungs near my heart. I was put on Enalapril to help reduce the fluid, and one week later, the fluid was gone! The medicine is doing the job! I’ll need to stay on the meds to stay healthy, but they are inexpensive and keep me feeling spry. My foster mom is giving me natural supplements/vitamins to maintain my health, too. I am quite the funny guy and I bring my foster family so much joy! I’m waiting to cuddle up with my forever family! Is that you?
Thanks to my friend Brett Gentile for sponsoring me!
Your donation saves the life of
a homeless senior pet!
“Oscar” had a very happily ever after thanks to our supporters who believe that senior pets deserve a second chance! Please support our mission today! Your donation is tax-deductible. Young at Heart Pet Rescue is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charity. Tax ID 20-2476194
Hooray! We reached our Challenge Grant Goal! Thanks to all of our generous donors for meeting the Challenge! Our two Angel Donors MATCHED your $7500 in donations with a $7500 additional donation. Thank you from all of our homeless senior pets!
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