Animal shelters in Knox County, IL

We list 2 animal shelters and rescues in Knox County, Illinois. Listings come from public map data and may be incomplete, so please call ahead to confirm hours and adoption days.

We have not identified a rescue organization in Knox County in our sources yet. Many rescues are foster-based and adopt through Petfinder or adoption events without a public address, so it is worth searching nearby towns as well.

Call the shelter before you bring an animal in. Many shelters and most rescues take owner surrenders by appointment only, some charge a surrender fee, and some keep a waiting list. Ask whether they offer a rehoming program or pet food and vet assistance first; many surrenders can be avoided with short-term help. The municipal animal control shelter is usually required to accept animals from residents of its city or county.

Start on the shelter's or rescue's own website: most post their adoptable animals there and on Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet. Visit or call to meet an animal, then fill in an adoption application. Expect to show a photo ID, and if you rent, proof that your landlord allows pets. The adoption fee usually covers spay or neuter surgery, first vaccinations and a microchip. Fees vary by organization and by animal, so ask the shelter directly.