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! We’re Biscuit & Macy, and if you’re looking for sweet and fun, then we are your girls! Biscuit is an 8-10 year old female pomeranian/chihuahua mix. I like other dogs my size, especially my best buddy Macy, and am a spunky little girl. Macy is an adorable and funny 12+ year old pomeranian, and Hi there! We love love love people, and I love my pal, Biscuit . We are very sweet and gentle, housebroken, and good with other dogs. Macy loves belly rubs and being held, and she is so funny because when she pees, she balances on her front two legs! Her back feet never touch the ground! Both dogs are very good on a leash, and like car rides, but most of all, they just love being loved. Biscuit is a healthy senior, and Macy is healthy for her age, though her failing eyesight has her very bonded to Biscuit. We are hoping to find a home together, that will love us both in our golden years! We are a great little duo, snuggly and loveable. Will you give two girls a whole lotta love together? Then come meet us!
Hi there! We’re Fred & Ethel, an adorably low-key pair of 11-year-old basset hounds. Our guardian ended up in a nursing home, and we found ourselves at the pound. With the help of our friends at Guardian Angel Basset Rescue, we got a ride to Young at Heart, where we are enjoying our foster home and a second chance at a happily ever after! We are the most hilarious duo – and when we say we’re low-key, we’re about as low-key as you can get! We are the epitome of “couch potatoes”, without the ability to get on the couch! We are super sweet, easy-going, trustworthy in the house, and very easy to walk on a leash. We mosey more than walk! We’re both healthy for our age and despite Fred needing a bit of a diet, we’re both very low-maintenance. We’re both good with other dogs and cats, housebroken, and good with gentle children. We know that there is a loving family out there just waiting for us so that we can snuggle up together in our golden years! Is that you?
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, and found myself at the pound.At the pound, I was so upset; I stopped eating, and was miserable. On the day that the pound was going to give up on me, Young at Heart took me in. I was so 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 most other dogs, and am totally fine with cats. I love my canine foster brother because he loves to run and romp and wrestle, just like I do! Outside I’ll run around, do a little squirrel patrol, and I like to go for walks and car rides. I do bark, and like to be a good watchdog while you’re gone, so I am better suited for a house than an apartment or condo. 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’m a healthy girl and only have some mild food allergies, so a grain-free dog food is all that I need. I’m such a great dog that the rescue understands why my family tried so hard to sneak me into their new home. I’m safe now, and will soon have a loving home again! Want to meet me? Fill out an application!
Sponsored by my friend, Susie Hall.
Hi there! I’m Maddie, and I am the sweetest little lab mix on earth!! I’m a very easy dog, with a great personality! I love everyone I meet, and enjoy the company of other dogs. I even don’t seem to mind those silly felines!! I love making new friends and going for walks and car rides. I am trustworthy in the house and playful, too. My petite little frame gives you everything you love about labs in a neat little 40 pound package! How fun is that?! I am healthy and ready to meet my forever family. Are you my new family?
Howdy! I’m Penny, and if you’re looking for a true companion, I’m your girl! I’m a very sweet and loyal 8-year-old lab mix who loves to be by your side to adore you better. I can’t wait to find that special someone who loves to go for walks and car rides, enjoys snuggling with me and letting me lay my head in your lap, and really knows what a faithful friend is. Though I am 8-years-old, I still have some good energy that makes me a fun dog and allows me to go for nice long walks, playtime at the beach, and allows me to chase those squirrels in the yard! I’m quiet in the house and enjoy the company of other dogs, but I am not a fan of those pesky felines! I really like kids, too. I am so sweet and loving, I know that my forever home is out there just waiting to meet their match. Guess what? That’s me!
Hi, I’m Ramona! I am just a happy-go-lucky, goofy girl who is soooo happy to be out of the pound and in a foster home with toys! At least I think they are toys. But foster mom thinks that the catalogs and toilet paper rolls are not toys so I am learning. You see, I did not have a happy childhood and I did not know a house, but I do , now! And now I am having the happiest childhood. The vets all think that I am at least 5 years old but I think you are only as old as you feel and I feel like I’m 1! I am clumsy and will always have some of that awkward teenager aspect, but I make up for it with so much love! I am great with other dogs, ignore cats, and love children. I get so excited when I hear children playing outside! But because I am clumsy I could knock over a small child so I should probably go to a home with older children. Since my old owners did not take care of me, I was heartworm positive when I came into rescue. I have been through treatment and am healthy, but will need to be on heartworm prevention pills year round for the rest of my life. They also did not have my tail docked or my ears cropped so I do not look like your typical Rottweiler- plus I am on the small side ( 61 lbs of muscle). But I am happy about that because I love to wag my tail! Did I mention I am happy? Please call Young at Heart and ask to meet me! We can have a great, happy life together! Love, Ramona
Shhh…I’m whispering….. hi, this is Reba and I am very quiet so far in my foster home. I am a sweet yellow lab mix about 8 years old or so. My ears came from the mix part of my background as they are not lab ears! But they’re cute and very expressive. My nickname is Mellow Yellow because I am super low key and very well-behaved. I stand at the back door to go out and lightly tap on it to come back in (so as not to actually scratch which could be damaging; you see, I have excellent manners). I don’t get on the furniture or into anything, even then the humans leave. Yes, I am completely trustworthy in the house. I like to be near where you are so I will wait patiently (and quietly, of course) outside the door while you take a shower and then follow you around the house. I like to play with stuffed toys and will catch them if thrown to me. I also catch treats really well. I like treats and I like food. I will watch you eat but won’t actually beg because that would be rude and I was taught to be gracious. I really enjoy being outside in this nice weather so it would ideal if I could have a yard of my own to hang out in. I’m very gentle on leash and calm in the car. I like other dogs just fine and even those little noisy, hyper ones don’t rile me at all. I would love to have a forever home. I’m so easy, you only need to love me a little and I will love you back a lot, in my calm way. I made it out of the shelter due to my Good Behavior and I’m sure I can make my way into your heart with it too!
* On hold for medical treatment*
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 12 years. I am happy, smiling, cheerful, and get along well with everyone. I was dumped in an open-admission shelter where I was languishing away until Young at Heart saved me! I went to a foster home where I get along with all the other dogs, and enjoy the yard and all the good outdoors smells. I used to be a city dog so I am used to cars and streets, and walk very well on leash. I do not tug or pull. I’m really easy to walk !I’ve been to adoption events where I am kind to everyone, ignore cats, and like children. But I am a bit shy and a bit insecure until I settle in. Because I am insecure, I will mark interesting smells in a new house until I feel settled. So you will have to keep me in a belly band in the beginning. 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. I quickly learned the rules in my foster home and almost never wear the band now. I love hugs and belly rubs and will “wooo woo woo” with happiness when I see you. Come on, you know you want to get in shape for summer and I will happily walk with you anywhere! Please 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
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
Young at Heart Pet Rescue Is One of 500 Finalists for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program!!
We are the ONLY animal organization in Illinois that has a chance to win!
Help us win a new vehicle to make an even bigger difference for senior pets!
We’re proud to announce we’ve been selected as a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program. Now we need your support!
Tell your friends and vote for Young at Heart Pet Rescue at www.100carsforgood.com on JUNE 16, 2012. ONLY ONE DAY TO VOTE!!
Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program will be awarding 100 vehicles to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days based on votes from the public. A total of 500 nonprofits were selected from more than 4,000 applications nationwide. We are hoping to win a new Toyota Sienna minivan to help transport more senior pets to safety, get them to the vet, foster homes, and events, and to expand the capabilities of our pet food pantry program!
You can go to www.100carsforgood.com right now and set a reminder to vote so you don’t forget! Go to www.100carsforgood.com , click on “finalists”, find Young at Heart Pet Rescue, then click Remind Me!
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