Heartland Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

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Verified Wheeling Shelter Guide

Heartland Animal Shelter Visitor Guide: Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Surrender Help, Video & Map

Heartland Animal Shelter is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter in Wheeling, Illinois. Use this guide for the official address, phone number, adoption hours, dog and cat adoption steps, fees, lost pet resources, surrender rules, volunteer options, video guidance and map directions.

Adoptable Dogs Adoptable Cats Watch Video Guide
Official address 586 Palwaukee Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090
Phone 847-296-6400
Open hours shown by shelter Thu–Fri 4–7 PM; Sat–Sun 12–6 PM

Quick Answer: What should you know about Heartland Animal Shelter?

Heartland Animal Shelter is located at 586 Palwaukee Drive in Wheeling, Illinois. The shelter lists its phone number as 847-296-6400, with prompts for dog and cat questions. Open adoption hours are Thursday and Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM.

Best first step: check adoptable dogs or cats online, then visit during open hours. Heartland says you do not need an appointment during open hours, but filling out an application before arrival can save time.

Choose what you need today

Most visitors search “Heartland Animal Shelter” because they have one clear task. Use the cards below to move directly to the right section.

Adopt a pet Applications, open hours, pickup rules and what to bring. Adoption fees Puppy, dog, kitten, cat and senior pet fees. Lost pet help Flyers, local reporting, shelters, vets and lost-pet tools. Surrender a pet Appointment rule, limited capacity and suggested donation. Report a concern Emergency vs non-emergency animal concern routing. Watch video Helpful visual guide for adoption intent. Volunteer or foster Onsite, foster, transport, TNR and outreach roles. Map and parking Directions to 586 Palwaukee Drive.

Verified Heartland Animal Shelter facts

Official nameHeartland Animal Shelter
Location586 Palwaukee Drive, Wheeling, Illinois 60090
Phone847-296-6400
Dog phone promptPress 7 for dogs
Cat phone promptPress 5 for cats
Official siteheartlandanimalshelter.org
Before you drive: Heartland says it is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The contact page also notes it will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Always confirm directly during holidays, events or weather disruptions.

Video Guide: Heartland Animal Shelter adoption preview

This video is included for users who want a visual adoption guide before visiting. An official Heartland-hosted video was not the best available match in search results, so this page uses a Heartland-focused adoption segment from WGN News. Use it for context, then use Heartland’s official pages for current animals, fees and rules.

How to use this video: watch it to understand adoption intent and the shelter environment, then review the official “How to Adopt” page, application links and current open hours before you visit.
If you are adoptingWrite down your realistic home setup, pet experience, schedule, budget, landlord rules and whether you want a puppy, adult dog, kitten, adult cat or senior pet.
If you are helpingUse the video to understand why shelters need adopters, donors, fosters, walkers, cleaners, transporters, event help and consistent volunteers.

Heartland Animal Shelter adoption process: step-by-step

Heartland encourages visitors to meet adoptable pets in person, even if they first see a pet online. The shelter says animals cannot be held, so move quickly but realistically if you are serious about adopting a specific dog or cat.

Check the official dog or cat page.
Start with Heartland’s official adoptable dog and adoptable cat pages. Third-party listings can help, but the official site should guide your next step.
Visit during open hours.
Heartland’s open adoption hours are Thursday and Friday 4–7 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12–6 PM. Monday through Wednesday are listed as closed.
Meet the pet in person.
The shelter recommends visiting so you can better understand the pet’s personality before you apply.
Complete the dog or cat application online.
After you decide on a pet, complete the correct online application. Use accurate contact information and answer household questions honestly.
Plan at least 45 minutes for final paperwork.
Heartland asks adopters to allow a minimum of 45 minutes to finalize paperwork and review instructions for the new family member.
Bring ID and the right pickup supplies.
Bring a driver’s license or government-issued ID. For dogs, bring a carrier and/or leash, buckle collar and harness. For cats, bring a carrier.
Important adoption note: Heartland states animals are not considered adopted until paperwork is processed, fees are paid, the animal is released and the spay/neuter is complete.
How to Adopt View Dogs View Cats

Heartland Animal Shelter adoption fees 2026

The official Heartland “How to Adopt” page says fees are subject to change per shelter management. Use the table below for planning, then confirm the current fee before completing the adoption.

Pet type Official listed fee What to ask before adoption
Puppies / juveniles up to 6 months $450 Ask about expected adult size, vaccine timing, socialization needs and spay/neuter completion.
Small dogs under 35 pounds, over 6 months to 8 years $375 Ask about house training, separation anxiety, barking, leash behavior and home fit.
Medium / large dogs over 35 pounds, over 6 months to 8 years $300 Ask about energy level, leash manners, children, other dogs, cats and daily exercise needs.
Senior dogs over 8 years $175; free for seniors over 65 Ask about mobility, medication, dental care, stairs, food and long-term vet planning.
Kittens up to 6 months $200; pair for $350 Heartland strongly recommends kittens under 6 months be adopted in pairs, with limited exceptions.
Cats over 6 months to 8 years $150; pair for $250 Ask about litter habits, hiding, social comfort, play style and whether the cat has lived with other pets.
Senior cats over 8 years $125; pair for $200; free for seniors over 65 Ask about diet, dental care, medication, grooming needs and realistic adjustment time.
What fees cover: Heartland says adoption fees cover vaccinations for the pet’s age, deworming, heartworm testing for dogs over 6 months, FeLV testing for cats, FIV testing for cats and kittens 6 months and older, microchipping and spay/neuter.

Before you visit Heartland Animal Shelter: adoption checklist

Bring IDHeartland asks adopters to bring a driver’s license or government-issued ID when finalizing adoption.
Prepare pickup suppliesFor dogs, bring safe leash gear, collar and harness. For cats, bring a carrier so the cat does not leave loose.
Apply earlyHeartland says filling out an application before arrival can save time.
Plan enough timeAllow at least 45 minutes for final adoption paperwork and instructions.
Bring paymentHeartland says payment is made when you pick up your pet and accepts cash, checks or credit cards.
Ask first-week questionsAsk about food, crate setup, litter, decompression, training, introductions and medical records.

Lost pet near Wheeling or Heartland Animal Shelter: what to do first

Heartland’s lost pet resource page recommends placing food, water, bedding or clothing where the pet went missing, posting flyers, going door-to-door, and contacting local police, animal control, vets and shelters. Use several routes at the same time.

Put scent items near the last-seen area.
Place food, water, a pet bed or an article of your clothing where the pet went missing, if it is safe and allowed.
Make flyers quickly.
Use a clear photo, pet name, color, size, last-seen location and your phone number. Take flyers door-to-door nearby.
Call local police, animal control, vets and shelters.
Give the same description everywhere and ask how often to recheck.
Use lost-pet tools.
Heartland links to Petco Love Lost, Lost Pets USA, Lost Dogs of Illinois and Lost Cats of Illinois.
Do not chase a scared dog.
Heartland’s page shares guidance that scared dogs can go into survival mode. Luring calmly is often safer than chasing.
Check microchip details.
Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup and contact the chip registry to update your phone and email.
Heartland Lost Pet Resources AAHA Microchip Lookup

Surrendering a dog or cat to Heartland Animal Shelter

Surrender is not a walk-in drop-off. Heartland’s official surrender page asks owners to explore other options first and says you must have an appointment to surrender a pet. Heartland also says it has limited capacity and cannot guarantee it can accept pets that were not adopted from Heartland.

Important surrender requirements: you must be the actual owner of the pet, you must have an appointment, and the suggested surrender donation is $150 for a dog and $100 for a cat.
If adopted from HeartlandHeartland says it must be given first right of refusal and you need prior authorization from shelter management to surrender the pet back.
If not adopted from HeartlandHeartland says it has limited capacity and cannot guarantee it can accept the pet.
Before applyingGather vaccine records, spay/neuter status, behavior history, bite history, medication, diet and reason for surrender.
Try alternatives firstAsk about food pantries, low-cost clinics, training help, family placement, foster help and other no-kill shelters.
Official Surrender Page

Animal control, cruelty reports, bites and urgent animal concerns

Heartland Animal Shelter is a private nonprofit shelter, not an emergency dispatcher. For adoption, surrender, foster, volunteer and general shelter questions, use Heartland’s contact options. For active cruelty, dangerous animals, bites or immediate public safety risk, use emergency or municipal reporting channels.

Immediate dangerCall 911 for life-threatening situations, active attacks or cruelty in progress.
Pet poisoningCall ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. A fee may apply.
Non-emergency animal concernContact the correct local municipal animal control or police non-emergency route for Wheeling-area concerns.
Do not over-assume Heartland handles animal control: unless Heartland or the municipality confirms a specific enforcement process, do not treat the shelter as animal control, police or an emergency responder.

Volunteer, foster, donate or support Heartland Animal Shelter

Heartland’s volunteer page says volunteers help the shelter save cats and dogs and lists both onsite and offsite roles. Some roles require a regular schedule, training or animal-handling experience.

Onsite volunteer rolesAdoption liaison, cat or kitten room attendant, clean and feed team, dog walker, reception, medical volunteer and project support.
Offsite rolesFoster parent, fundraising volunteer, grant writer, designer, outreach volunteer, reseller, street team, transporter, TNR assistant and more.
Foster careFostering can help pets that need support due to health, age or temperament while waiting for adoption.
Donate or sponsorHeartland accepts donations and lists donor programs, wish list options and other ways to help on its official site.
Volunteer Info Foster Info

Call scripts for Heartland Animal Shelter

Use a simple script so staff or volunteers can route your question quickly.

Adoption script: “Hi, I’m interested in adopting [pet name/type]. I saw the pet on the official Heartland website. I’d like to confirm availability, application steps and whether I should visit during open hours first.”

Lost pet script: “Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/intersection]. The pet is [description] and may have [collar/microchip]. Can I send photos and ask if a matching pet has been reported?”

Surrender script: “Hi, I need help with possible surrender or alternatives. My pet is [age/species], has [medical/behavior notes], and the reason is [brief reason]. Are appointments available, and what should I try first?”

Heartland Animal Shelter map and visit planning

Heartland Animal Shelter is located at 586 Palwaukee Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090. Call first if your visit is not a normal adoption visit, especially for surrender questions, foster questions, donation drop-offs, lost-pet help or special events.

Arrival tip: if you are adopting, bring ID, payment, dog gear or a cat carrier, and enough time to complete paperwork. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent according to Heartland’s contact page.

Official Heartland Animal Shelter links

Official homepageHeartland Animal Shelter
Contact and hoursContact page
How to adoptAdoption process and fees
Adoptable dogsDog listings
Adoptable catsCat listings
Lost pet resourcesLost pets page
Surrender your petSurrender page
VolunteerVolunteer page

Common mistakes that slow people down

Trying to hold a petHeartland says it is not able to hold animals, so confirm availability and act promptly.
Arriving on closed daysMonday, Tuesday and Wednesday are listed as closed. Visit during Thursday–Sunday open hours.
Forgetting IDBring a driver’s license or government-issued ID for adoption paperwork.
No carrier or leash setupCats need a carrier, and dogs need safe pickup gear.
Assuming surrender is guaranteedHeartland is not open intake and has limited capacity.
Using old screenshotsFees, hours, animals and events can change. Recheck official pages before visiting.

Heartland Animal Shelter FAQs

The listed phone number is 847-296-6400. Heartland says to press 7 for dogs and 5 for cats.

Heartland Animal Shelter is located at 586 Palwaukee Drive, Wheeling, Illinois 60090.

Heartland lists open hours as Thursday and Friday 4 PM to 7 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 6 PM. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are listed as closed.

Heartland says you do not need an appointment during open hours. For surrender, foster, special questions or non-routine visits, contact the shelter first.

Heartland’s adoption page says it is not able to hold animals. Meet the pet, apply promptly and follow the official process.

Listed dog fees include $450 for puppies/juveniles up to 6 months, $375 for small dogs under 35 pounds over 6 months to 8 years, $300 for medium/large dogs over 35 pounds over 6 months to 8 years, and $175 for senior dogs over 8 years.

Listed cat fees include $200 for kittens up to 6 months, $150 for cats over 6 months to 8 years, and $125 for senior cats over 8 years. Pair discounts are listed on the official fee page.

Heartland says fees cover age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, heartworm testing for dogs over 6 months, FeLV/FIV testing for cats when applicable, microchipping and spay/neuter.

Place scent items near the last-seen area, post flyers, go door-to-door, contact local police, animal control, vets and shelters, and use lost-pet tools such as Petco Love Lost, Lost Dogs of Illinois and Lost Cats of Illinois.

You must contact Heartland and complete the appropriate surrender process. Heartland says you must be the actual owner, must have an appointment, and capacity is limited.

No. Heartland’s surrender page says it is not an open intake shelter and has limited capacity at any given time.

Yes. Heartland lists many volunteer roles, including adoption support, dog walking, cleaning, feeding, foster care, fundraising, transport, outreach and TNR assistance.

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent directory guide. The official Heartland Animal Shelter website is heartlandanimalshelter.org.

Emergency routing and independent-site disclaimer

Life-threatening or in-progress cruelty: call 911. Pet poisoning: call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435; a fee may apply. Crisis for the handler or owner: call or text 988. For urgent wildlife or emergency animal help, use a qualified emergency veterinarian, municipal authority or Animal Help Now where appropriate.

Animal-Shelter.org is an independent animal shelter and animal control directory. We are not Heartland Animal Shelter, not animal control, not an emergency dispatcher, not a humane society, not an SPCA, not a veterinarian, not a wildlife rehabilitator, not a microchip registry, not a pet poison hotline, not police and not an attorney. Always confirm current hours, fees, policies, animal availability and emergency instructions with the official organization.

Final summary

For Heartland Animal Shelter in Wheeling, start with the official dog or cat adoption pages, call 847-296-6400 for direct contact, confirm open hours before visiting, and bring ID plus safe pickup supplies if you plan to adopt. For surrender, do not walk in without an appointment because Heartland says capacity is limited.

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Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper

Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

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Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

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Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

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Pet reclaim document checklist

If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.

Owner surrender preparation helper

Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

Adoption and first-month budget planner

This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.

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Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.

Independent shelter-help tool. Not affiliated with any animal shelter, humane society, rescue, animal control agency, city, county, state agency, veterinarian, or microchip company. Always confirm current rules, hours, fees, and requirements directly with the official organization.