Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC)

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) is the city’s open‑admission municipal shelter.
This means they take in every animal brought to them — lost, stray, abandoned, confiscated, or surrendered —
regardless of space, health, or behavior. Because of this, CACC faces constant overcrowding, and outcomes can
vary depending on capacity and the dog’s needs.

This page explains how CACC works, what to expect, and how to navigate the system in a way that protects both
you and the dogs.

What CACC Is — and What It Isn’t

CACC is not a no‑kill shelter. It is not a rescue. It is not a sanctuary.
It is the city’s intake facility, responsible for:

• Stray dogs
• Lost dogs
• Confiscated dogs
• Bite‑quarantine dogs
• Owner‑surrendered dogs
• Dogs in police custody
• Dogs with nowhere else to go

Because they must take every animal, space is always limited. Dogs who are stressed, shut down, or struggling
behaviorally may not do well in this environment.

Understanding this helps you make informed decisions about adoption, volunteering, fostering, or surrender.

Adopting From CACC

Adopting from CACC saves lives. Many dogs there are wonderful, loving, and simply overwhelmed by the shelter
environment. When you adopt from CACC, you’re giving a dog a chance they may not otherwise get.

What to Expect When Adopting

• Dogs may be stressed, scared, or shut down
• Behavior in the shelter does not always reflect behavior in a home
• Some dogs have unknown histories
• Many dogs need decompression time, structure, and patience

If you’re willing to give a dog time to adjust, CACC is one of the most impactful places to adopt from.

How to Visit CACC

Location: 2741 S. Western Ave., Chicago

Phone: 312‑747‑1406

Website: Search “CACC Adoptable Dogs”

Hours

CACC’s hours can change, so always check before visiting.
Typically, adoption viewing hours include afternoons and weekends.

Tips for Meeting Dogs at CACC

The shelter environment is loud, chaotic, and overwhelming. Dogs may bark, pace, or hide — this is normal.
When meeting a dog:

• Ask to take them outside if possible
• Give them time to decompress
• Don’t judge them based on kennel behavior
• Look for small signs of connection (eye contact, softening, curiosity)
• Ask volunteers or staff what they’ve observed

Volunteers often know the dogs best — they walk them, spend time with them, and can tell you who might be a good match.

After You Adopt: Support and Training

Many CACC dogs need structure, routine, and patience as they adjust to home life.
Professional training can make a huge difference.

Copilot Dog Training (Chicago)

Offers discounted training for CACC adopters, which can be especially helpful for new owners
or anyone navigating behavior challenges.

General Tips for New Adopters

• Expect a decompression period (3 days to 3 weeks)
• Keep routines predictable
• Use positive reinforcement
• Avoid overwhelming the dog with new people or places
• Give them a safe, quiet space to retreat

CACC dogs often blossom once they feel safe.

Volunteering at CACC

Volunteers are essential. They walk dogs, provide enrichment, help with socialization, and advocate for dogs who
need visibility. If you want to make a direct impact, volunteering at CACC is one of the most meaningful ways to help.

Volunteer Roles

• Dog walking
• Enrichment and training
• Photography and bios
• Transport
• Adoption support
• Laundry, dishes, and kennel support

You don’t need experience — just commitment and compassion.

Fostering Through Partner Rescues

CACC does not run its own foster program, but many rescue partners pull dogs from CACC and place
them into foster homes. Fostering saves lives by opening kennel space and giving dogs a chance to decompress.

If you want to foster, contact a CACC partner rescue such as:

• One Tail at a Time
• ALIVE Rescue
• Chicago Canine Rescue
• PAWS Chicago
• South Suburban Humane Society

Fostering is one of the most powerful ways to help.

If You Lost Your Dog

CACC is the first place to check. Lost dogs are often picked up by Animal Control and brought directly to the shelter.

Steps to Take

• Search the “Found Dogs” section on the CACC website
• Visit the shelter in person
• Bring proof of ownership (photos, vet records, microchip info)
• Check daily — new dogs arrive constantly

Microchipping and keeping tags updated dramatically increases reunions.

If You Found a Dog

You can bring the dog to CACC so the owner has a chance to reclaim them.
Before doing so, you can also:

• Check for a microchip at any vet clinic
• Post on local lost‑and‑found groups
• Notify neighborhood pages or apps like Nextdoor

But ultimately, CACC is the official holding facility for lost dogs in Chicago.

If You Are Considering Surrendering Your Dog

CACC should be a last resort.
Because it is open‑admission and often overcrowded, dogs who struggle in the shelter environment may not have good outcomes.

Before surrendering, explore:

• Training support
• Behavior help
• Food and supply assistance
• Vet‑care resources
• Housing guidance
• Rehoming safely through friends, family, or rescues

If surrender is unavoidable, call ahead to understand the process and what to expect.

Why CACC Matters

CACC is the safety net for Chicago’s animals. It is not perfect — no open‑admission municipal shelter is —
but it is essential. Every volunteer, adopter, foster, and advocate helps lighten the load and improve outcomes
for the dogs who pass through its doors.

If you want to make a difference, CACC is one of the most impactful places to start.

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