Information

We take great pride in finding good homes for our stray and abandoned companion pet friends. The information contained within our site will hopefully help you make the right pet selection - after all, a pet can be your companion for what could be up to 20 years

Due to the Requirement of having a home check performed - We Do Not Adopt Out of state. For Indiana and Wisconsin Residents, please email with zip code and we will advise if we have a volunteer available in your area.

Half Way Home Animal Rescue DOES NOT have a shelter, and all animals are awaiting their forever homes in loving FOSTER CARE. By having pets in foster care, we are able to get a jump start on training, learn their unique personalities and ensure they are a perfect match for you!

Half-Way Home Animal Rescue DOES NOT perform “on-site”, “on-the-fly”, nor “on-the-whim” adoptions. Our adoption process of written application, vet-reference, and home visit (home visits are only for Dog adoptions-within a specific radius of zip 60462 - Applications that are over 1 hour one way from 60462 please ask if a home check is viable) yields a higher percentage of successful adoptions, and most importantly, of quality homes for the pets that we place. Additionally, with our support network and quality process, many adopters contact us for a second or third pet.

Process For Adoption

ALL ADOPTERS MUST BE OVER 21 Years of Age
All potential parents must fill out a written adoption application (above)
No animal will be sent home with a potential 'parent' the same day as the request for adoption unless approved.
All potential parents must have a reference/veterinarian check (if applicable)
All potential adoption parents must have a home inspection (DOG adoptions only)
- Also acceptable would-be photos of yard and loving space
We will allow out of state adoptions for Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa. Provided adopter comes in person to our location (we do not ship pets)
For those with a current pet or past pet - those pets must be or have been regularly up to date on shots, heart worm preventative, a negative fecal and are currently spayed/neutered will be allowed a home visit and be eligible for adoption.
- DOG ADOPTIONS ONLY Require Home Checks) Home visits are to verify that your home is the best environment for the pet.
- Home Checks will only be performed on homes WITHIN a particular mileage radius or time rate of Orland Hills, IL (60462).
- If you are beyond 30 min (one-way) of zip code 60462 (and we have the time) there will be an additional fee added to the adoption fee, to cover the gas/transportation cost of the home check
  - We reserve the right to refuse adoptions/applications to those who are outside our radius.
    - Reasons, including but not limited to time, available volunteers, gas prices, etc.
If you are approved for an adoption - Cash or PayPal is the only payment accepted.
All adoptions will receive a confirmation email with detailed amount
All adoption appointments - you are required to have 2 copies of your application brought with you (if you submitted the application via email)
We do not adopt to persons for breeding or who are considering breeding.
Follow-up checks could be performed on animal adoptions.

What is included in your adoption

Bringing any animal into your home and family is a financial commitment for the lifetime of the animal. The initial adoption fee that we charge is just the beginning, but it is reasonable to ask for what services are included in the adoption donation, and what additional expenses will be required.

Pre-Adoption Expenses (Mandatory):
You will be expected to provide these items prior to adoption (at your own cost)

Pet Supplies (food, dog bowls, collar, leash, bed, etc.)
Veterinarian search and care

All Canines - Must be adopted / taken home with a leash and collar (and or harness (at the adopters expense)
All Felines - Must be adopted / taken home in a Cat Carrier (at the adopter's expense)

Basic Adoption Expenses, covered by the HWHAR Adoption Fee:

Spaying or Neutering

If pets are not sterilized and microchipped at time of adoption, adopter is required by law (225 ILCS 605/3.3) to have sterilizing and microchipping procedures performed within 14 days after a licensed veterinarian certifies the dog/cat is healthy enough for these procedures. If pet is not healthy enough, this must be noted in your medical chart with that clinic.

See ADOPTION CONTRACT FOR ALL SPECIFICS regarding spaying/neutering pets

Microchipping - All pets (if not already chipped) will be sent home with a Microchip for a vet to insert.

It is the adopter's responsibility to have this inserted and registered at their own expense.

De-Worming (if required/necessary) prior to adoption.
Distemper vaccine.
Rabies (Vaccine will be paid for if pet is 5 months of age or older at time of adoption)

Note: Tags are to be purchased at adopter's expense.

Heartworm check (dogs) and heart worm preventative medication (up to date) at time of adoption.
Felv/FIV Feline Leukemia check (cats) prior to adoption.
Flea/tick prevention (up to date) at time of adoption.

Once a time is scheduled for the formal adoption the HWHAR volunteer and adopting family will complete paperwork (adoption contract and medical records transfer only while the pet has been in our care), answer any questions and go over what the current pet is eating as well as assist you with purchasing any other items the pet may need (if necessary).

This process can last anywhere from 20 min to 1 hour - depending on the adopter and the pet needs. We then will ask for the cash-adoption fee to help cover our expenses associated with placing the pet you are adopting. (This fee is not negotiable and adopter is advised prior to the home-inspection and before the formal adoption is arranged).

PET FOOD

Please note when adopting any pet from HWHAR: You are REQUIRED to Keep them on the food that our group has been feeding them for at least a week. Then if you are wanting to switch them to a different food, slowly introduce it into their system and wean them off the old food - This will insure minimum amount of digestive disruption to their system.

We ask that people consider their food choice for their pet - the first ingredient should be a meat or fish (Chicken, Beef, Lamb or Fish).

If the first ingredient says 'bone' or 'bi-product' --> Do not buy it. Please reconsider your choice.
Example: (ex:) "Chicken Bi-Product". Bi-Product is a combination of items and can include cartilage, or misc. animal parts.

ex.) "Chicken Meal" - "Meal" Means Freeze dried - This is acceptable as a first ingredient.
The first ingredients of a pet food means that this is the most abundant food in the product.

You should not feed your pet any food where there is sugar, corn syrup, sucrose or fructose on the ingredient list. (It is like you are feeding them junk-food).

By feeding your pet a 'Nutritionally Sound' food - This can lengthen their life span and be better for their over-all health. Speak with us or your vet if you have any questions regarding your pets health and food choice. Choose your food wisely - It will set them up for nutritional success