Chicagoans preparing to take home a new member of their fur-mily during NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago's "Clear the Shelters" event this year will also want to prepare for adoption day.
Although adoption fees are waived for the event, which will be held on Aug. 18, shelters will still have some requirements for individuals or families adopting.
Here's what you'll need to know and bring:
- Those looking to adopt must be at least 18 years or older and provide valid identification. Their ID should reflect their current home address.
- Renters must provide their landlord's name and contact information, along with a copy of their lease. This helps ensure that adopters are allowed to have pets in their building.
- Those who have pets already should provide proof of vaccinations for their other animals.
- Shelters suggest all members of the family that will be adopting a new cat, dog, or even a bird during "Clear the Shelters" be present on the day of adoption. This is not only fun, but makes sure everyone interacts with and agrees to take home a new member of the family.
Some participating shelters - including A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter, A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife, Hinsdale Humane Society, and Humane Society of Northwest Indiana - all have online applications available, so adopters can get the paperwork out of the way before the event. Most other shelters will have applications available online on the day of "Clear the Shelters."
