Paw-Some Pets Project

Phone Number

An initiative of Cook County and South Suburban Humane Society

Cook County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) has partnered with South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) to launch the Paw-Some Pets Project, which provides fee waived dog and cat adoptions as well as free large dog spay and neuter services. This initiative is available to all Cook County residents.

Dog and cat adoption fees ranging from $25 to $200 are waived for all County residents. Free spay and neuter services are available to dogs that are 44 pounds and higher. Those services range from $75 to $180.

Free Pet Adoptions
Animal adoptions are provided at no cost to Cook County residents.

All standard adoption policies and procedures apply.

All dog and cat adoptions include:

Spay/Neuter
Microchip
Rabies (if applicable)
Heartworm test (dogs only 6 months and older)
FIV/FeLV test (cats only 6 months and older)
Core vaccines
UTD Heartworn prevention/flea prevention/deworming
ID Tag (dogs only)
Adopter is responsible for dog collar and leash and cat carrier. Available for purchase at shelter.

Free adoption services for Cook County residents are on a first-come, first-served basis and are provided at the following location and times. No appointment is necessary and prospective adopters must present photo ID.

Matteson Adoption Center
21800 Central Avenue
Matteson, IL 60443

Hours of operation for adoptions:
- Monday noon – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday – Friday noon - 7 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday noon – 5 p.m.

Large Dog Spay and Neuter Services
Large dog (over 44 pounds fully grown) spay/neuter services are provided at no cost to Cook County residents.

Large dog spay/neuter surgery support packages include:

Any non-elective surgery that is required with spay and neuter
Absorbable sutures
1-year rabies vaccine
Microchip and registration
Nail trim
Take-home pain medications
E-collar

A refundable $50 fee to hold surgical appointments will be assessed to the customer and refunded upon completion of spay/neuter services. This fee is not covered by this agreement and is the responsibility of the customer.

Fee waived large dog spay and neuter services for Cook County residents are on a first-come, first-served basis and provided at the following location and times. Appointments are required.

Matteson Adoption Center
Spay/Neuter Clinic
21800 Central Avenue
Matteson, IL 60443

Hours of operation for these services:
- Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Spay/neuter check-in: 7 a.m.
- Dog pick-up: 3 p.m.
- Cat pick-up: 4:15 p.m.

Contact for appointments:

Phone: 708-755-1110
Text: 708-613-0088
Email: clinicinfo@southsuburbanhumane.org
Web: www.southsuburbanhumane.org/low-cost-spayneuter-clinic

Funding for the Paw-Some Pets Project is part of the Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program which provided $7.4 million to assist with costs associated with the planning and construction of the new SSHS facility which opened in 2022. ARC and SSHS agreed to use $268,440 of the funds for this program. The program will run until October 31, 2026 unless the funds are expended earlier. Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program was funded by small fees charged for rabies tags provided by Cook County.