Illinois Code § 3.3

§ 3.3.

Adoption of dogs and cats. (a) An animal shelter or animal control facility shall not adopt out any dog or adopt out or return to field any cat unless it has been sterilized and microchipped. However, an animal shelter or animal control facility may adopt out a dog or cat that has not been sterilized and microchipped if the adopting owner has executed a written agreement to have sterilizing and microchipping procedures performed within 14 days after a licensed veterinarian certifies the dog or cat is healthy enough for sterilizing and microchipping procedures and a licensed veterinarian has certified that the dog or cat is too sick or injured to be sterilized or it would be detrimental to the health of the dog or cat to be sterilized or microchipped at the time of the adoption. (b) An animal shelter or animal control facility may adopt out any dog or cat that is not free of disease, injury, or abnormality if the disease, injury, or abnormality is disclosed in writing to the adopter, and the animal shelter or animal control facility allows the adopter to return the animal to the animal shelter or animal control facility. (c) The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section do not apply to adoptions subject to Section 11 of the Animal Control Act. (d) An animal shelter or animal control facility may waive the adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat: (1) presents to the animal shelter or animal control facility a current and valid Illinois driver's license with the word "veteran" printed on its face, a current and valid Illinois Identification Card with the word "veteran" printed on its face, or an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015 and a valid Illinois driver's license or valid Illinois Identification Card; and (2) complies with the adoption policies of the animal shelter or animal control facility. (e) An animal shelter or animal control facility may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that animal shelter or animal control facility pursuant to this Section to one dog or cat each in a 2-year period. (Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 103-434, eff. 1-1-24; 103-678, eff. 1-1-25.)