What does the application process entail?
The application process begins with completing an application on our website. Once reviewed, someone will be in contact to conduct a phone interview. During that time, the application team is calling HOA/Landlord, municipality, references, & Veterinarian if applicable.
Pending approval, a Virtual Home Visit will be scheduled to make sure it is a safe place for a dog and to answer any questions you may have about adding another dog to your family.
All of the above steps are then reviewed by the Chi-Town Pitties, Inc. Board for final approval.
Once your application is approved by the Board, we will move forward with scheduling adoption interactions with potential dogs that are a good fit for you and your family.

What are the application requirements?
  • Must be at least 23 years of age
  • Be able to show proof of age with either state ID or Driver's License
  • If you currently rent, must provide the landlord's phone number/contact information and be prepared to show proof of lease
  • If you have an HOA, must be able to provide HOA contact information and be prepared to show proof of bylaws
  • Will allow a home visit/check either in person/virtually as part of the application process
  • Must live within 50 miles of Wheaton, IL.
  •  Be an Illinois resident, we do not adopt out of state
  • We do not adopt females to a home with an existing female. Cornell University conducted a study on dog aggression and found that problems between housemate dogs are far more common with same-sex pairs. This is especially true for female pairs. Read Article  We have a policy in place that restricts adoptions of female/female bully breeds. This particular policy often receives criticism, likely from individuals who have not personally experienced the challenges that can arise from having two females fighting in their home. While we could (and do) provide studies supporting the potential difficulties associated with this situation, we believe that our firsthand knowledge and experience should be enough to justify this rule. We understand that some may be dissatisfied with this policy, but we do not anticipate it changing. It is important to note that this rule does not benefit us as rescuers and actually limits the number of suitable homes that we could potentially place our dogs in. If gender concerns were rarely an issue, there would be no reason for us to deny a great home based solely on this criterion. However, for the safety and well-being of your dog, your home, and our dog, we cannot allow female/female adoptions.
  • All resident pets must be up to date with a rabies vaccination and be spayed/neutered
  • By completing this application you are consenting to a public background check
  • We reserve the right to deny any application at our discretion

After meeting a dog that is a good fit for you and your family, you can move forward with "Foster to Adopt." This is approximately two weeks, with the Two-Week Shut Down into place, helping the dog acclimate to your home, and to ensure the dog is the best fit possible. If after this period the dog is a good fit, you can move forward with finalizing the adoption.

What is the Two-Week Shut-Down?
The Two-Week Shut Down is a game-changing introduction protocol that we use for all dogs, whether it is a dog going into a Foster Home or a Foster to Adopt Home.
This allows the dog to decompress, destress, and become used to sights, sounds and smells of its new surroundings. It is not just for the new dog, it is also for any residents, canine and human.
To read more about the Two Week Shut Down, click here.

What are the adoption fees?
  • $450 for dogs under 1 year old, the adopter attending a training course with one of our approved trainers is mandatory at the adopters expense within 3 months of adoption
  • $450 for dogs 1-year-old and older
  • $400 for dogs 8 years old and older