Dogs for Adoption in DeKalb, IL: 20 Dogs Looking for a Home
180 dogs and puppies are waiting for homes at 6 rescues and shelters within 25 miles of DeKalb. Here are the 20 nearest, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Of the dogs up for adoption within 25 miles of DeKalb, 111 puppies, 48 young dogs, 17 adults and 3 seniors. The breeds you'll see most are American Staffordshire Terrier, Hound and Black Labrador Retriever, along with plenty of one-of-a-kind mixes.
Not in DeKalb? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Nedi
Sweet Nedi is a shy little girl. She does like people but it takes her awhile to warm up. She will need someone who is patient and realizes that she won't immediately gravitate to them. She is great with other dogs and would probably benefit from a confident dog to show her that things are okay. We are unsure how she would be around cats but she does not seem to interested in them at adoption events. She is great with kids though. She is crate trained, still working on potty training, walking nicely on a leash, and her basic commands and will need someone to continue working with her. She is fixed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Read more about Nedi
Her adoption fee is $600
To adopt Nedi, fill out an application at www.kakf.org/forms
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
2. Dempsey
Dempsey is a very sweet, outgoing little girl. She loves to play and run around with the other dogs in her foster home. She is great with other dogs and she also loves to play with kids. We are not sure how she would be around cats but she didn't seem too preoccupied with them at our adoption events. She is crated trained but still working on potty training, walking on a leash, and other basic commands. She will need a high energy family to keep up with her and continue to work on her training. She is fixed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Her adoption fee is $600
To adopt Dempsey, fill out an application at www.kakf.org/forms
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
3. Odie
Odie is a very sweet soul. This poor dog has a very sad story. Odie was adopted at 2 years old from animal control. He was returned at 4...they claimed he was having accidents in the house so they locked him outside and then he just barked all the time. This boy will need a patient, understanding family who can help him continue to learn to trust again. He has shown us that he is skittish of loud noises and hands. He is not aggressive at all and doesn't seem to have a mean bone in his body. He lives in a foster home with little kids and other dogs and is great with all of them and hasn't shown any interest in cats when he has seen them either. He is only about 25lbs and we think he is a terrier mix of some sort. He is fixed, up to date on vaccines, and chipped. He is crate trained but needs work on housebreaking and basic commands. He does bark a lot (we think it is from anxiety and being alone) so he probably won't be best in an apartment at this time.
Read more about Odie
His adoption fee is $400
To adopt Odie, fill out an application at www.kakf.org/forms
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
4. Yuma
Meet Yuma! This playful little puppy came in with her 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little Yuma, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
5. Yosemite
Meet Yosemite! This playful little puppy came in with her 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little Yosemite, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
6. Yalta
Meet Yalta! This playful little puppy came in with her 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little Yalta, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
7. York
Meet York! This playful little puppy came in with his 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little York, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
8. Yellowstone
Meet Yellowstone! This playful little puppy came in with his 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little Yellowstone, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
9. Yemen
Meet Yemen! This playful little puppy came in with his 7 siblings. If you are interested in adopting cute little Yemen, apply today at projecthopearf.org!
10. Xander
Meet Xander!
✨
This sweet little Goldendoodle arrived with his four siblings and is pure puppy perfection!
He’s currently on the mend from a mild case of mange, but with a little TLC, his coat is bouncing back—and his playful, affectionate spirit hasn't missed a beat.
Xander is cuddly, joyful, and ready to find a cozy lap to call his own.
Born 8/21/26
Ready to bring this adorable boy home? Apply today at projecthopearf.org!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
11. Xena
Meet Xena!
✨
This sweet little Goldendoodle arrived with her four siblings and is a little sweetheart!
She’s currently on the mend from a mild case of mange, but with a little TLC, her coat is bouncing back—and her playful, affectionate spirit hasn't missed a beat.
Xena is cuddly, joyful, and ready to find a family to call her own.
Born 8/21/26
Ready to bring this adorable girl home? Apply today at projecthopearf.org!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
12. X-Ray
Meet X-Ray!
✨
This sweet little Goldendoodle arrived with his four siblings and is pure puppy perfection!
He’s currently on the mend from a mild case of mange, but with a little TLC, his coat is bouncing back—and his playful, affectionate spirit hasn't missed a beat.
X-Ray is cuddly, joyful, and ready to find a cozy lap to call his own.
Born 8/21/26
Ready to bring this adorable boy home? Apply today at projecthopearf.org!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
13. Xavier
Meet Xavier!
This sweet little Goldendoodle arrived with his four siblings and is absolutely adorable!
He’s currently on the mend from a mild case of mange, but with a little TLC, his coat is bouncing back—and his playful, affectionate spirit hasn't missed a beat.
Xavier is cuddly, sweet, and ready to find a cozy lap to call his own.
Born 8/21/26
Ready to bring this adorable boy home? Apply today at projecthopearf.org!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
14. Xylo
Meet Xylo!
✨
This sweet little Goldendoodle arrived with his four siblings and is pure puppy perfection!
He’s currently on the mend from a mild case of mange, but with a little TLC, his coat is bouncing back—and his playful, affectionate spirit hasn't missed a beat.
Xylo is cuddly, joyful, and ready to find a cozy lap to call his own.
Born 8/21/26
Ready to bring this adorable boy home? Apply today at projecthopearf.org!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
15. Scooter
MEET SCOOTER!
At 10 years young, this sweet Chihuahua/Terrier mix is pint-sized, adorable, and looking for a soft place to land.
Scooter has spent a decade being a good boy, and now he’s looking for a cozy, loving home where he can spend his golden years living in complete comfort. Whether it's curling up on a warm lap, taking gentle sunbaths, or being your faithful little companion, Scooter is ready to give you all his love.
Profile:
Age: 10 years old (Senior Sweetheart!)
Breed: Chihuahua / Terrier mix
Size: Pint-sized perfection
Read more about Scooter
Please note: We do not DNA test our rescue dogs! Breed designations are our best educated guesses based on physical traits, appearance, and parent history where available.
Let’s give this sweet senior the peaceful forever home he deserves!
Apply to adopt Scooter today at projecthopearf.org!
16. Viper
Meet Viper! He is a cute and sweet Chihuhua/hound mix puppy. Very loving tiny guy!
Please Note: We do not run DNA tests on our rescue pups! Breed mixes are our best guess based on their physical features, size, and any available info on their parents.
Viper won't be ready to go home until October 24th!
If you are interested in adopting Viper, please apply at projecthopearf.org today!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
17. Volvo
Meet Volvo! He is a cute and sweet Chihuhua/hound mix puppy. Very loving tiny guy!
Please Note: We do not run DNA tests on our rescue pups! Breed mixes are our best guess based on their physical features, size, and any available info on their parents.
Volvo won't be ready to go home until October 24th!
If you are interested in adopting Volvo, please apply at projecthopearf.org today!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
18. Volt
Meet Volt! He is a cute and sweet Chihuhua/hound mix puppy. Very loving tiny guy!
Please Note: We do not run DNA tests on our rescue pups! Breed mixes are our best guess based on their physical features, size, and any available info on their parents.
Volt won't be ready to go home until October 24th!
If you are interested in adopting Volt, please apply at projecthopearf.org today!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
19. Vanity
Meet Vanity! She is a cute and sweet Chihuhua/hound mix puppy. She loves cuddles!
Please Note: We do not run DNA tests on our rescue pups! Breed mixes are our best guess based on their physical features, size, and any available info on their parents.
Vanity won't be ready to go home until October 24th!
If you are interested in adopting Vanity, please apply at projecthopearf.org today!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
20. Vespa
Meet Vespa! She is a cute and sweet Chihuhua/hound mix puppy. She loves cuddling with people!
Please Note: We do not run DNA tests on our rescue pups! Breed mixes are our best guess based on their physical features, size, and any available info on their parents.
Vespa won't be ready to go home until October 24th!
If you are interested in adopting Vespa, please apply at projecthopearf.org today!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
Rescues and shelters near DeKalb
The rescues with the most dogs listed within 25 miles of DeKalb.
- Animal House Shelter, Inc.Huntley, IL · 111 dogs · 23 mi from DeKalb
How to adopt from Animal House Shelter, Inc.
Animal House Shelter tries to keep the environment for the animals in our care, as healthy, stress free and comfortable as possible during their stay with us. Therefore, Walk-Through viewing of the dogs is NOT allowed at the shelter, due to the stress it creates. During your visit to the shelter, an adoption counselor will assist you through the adoption process and introduce you to as many dogs as you would like to meet, in order to make the best possible match for you, your family and your new pet. The cats are housed in a large ‘free roam’ cat room. They are able to socialize all day with each other, staff, volunteers and potential adopter. Like people, animals have distinct personalities that make them unique. At Animal House we are proud to say that these animals are treated like our own. We care enough to be certain they go to the right loving, forever home. 1. All adoption donations MUST be in cash, money order, traveler’s check , cashier’s check or by VISA, DISCOVER or MASTERCARD credit card only. NO PERSONAL CHECKS PLEASE. 2. You must be at least 21 years old to adopt. 3. All members of the household must be present, including any other dogs you may currently own, in order to do a final adoption (cats do not have to come to the shelter. We will cat test here because we know how stressful it is on the cats to be transported). 4. Dogs and cats that you currently own must be current on vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to visiting the shelter or any adoption.
- Project Hope AnimalGilberts, IL · 40 dogs · 23 mi from DeKalb
How to adopt from Project Hope Animal
COMPLETE AN APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, HOME VISIT, MEET & GREET, FINALIZE ADOPTION
- Aurora Animal Care and ControlAurora, IL · 13 dogs · 23 mi from DeKalb
- Hoof Woof Meow Animal RescueElgin, IL · 11 dogs · 24 mi from DeKalb
How to adopt from Hoof Woof Meow Animal Rescue
We require an application be completed, references are checked, a home visit is completed and the animal meets all members of the family including any cats or dogs. Once everything is checked out and the animals receive all the required medical attention the adoption can be completed. Prices: Dogs under 2-$325, 2-6 $285 and 6 & over $165. Kittens $125 and cats $95
- Kat & Kritters FoundationHinckley, il · 4 dogs · 10 mi from DeKalb
How to adopt from Kat & Kritters Foundation
home check, vet check, apartment landlord check, contract and adoption fee,
- Kane County Animal ControlGeneva, IL · 1 dog · 21 mi from DeKalb
Adopting a dog in DeKalb
Most rescues ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. Many are foster-based, so you'll often meet your dog in a volunteer's home rather than a shelter.
Senior dogs are often the calmest companions and the slowest to find homes. If you'd like a settled, affectionate dog, ask the rescues about their older residents.
Puppies go quickly, so if you've fallen for one, contact the rescue soon. Ask how big they're expected to grow, and plan for plenty of house-training and training in the first few months.
Questions about adopting a dog in DeKalb
How many dogs are up for adoption in DeKalb?
As of November 4, 2026, 180 dogs and puppies are listed for adoption within 25 miles of DeKalb, Illinois, by 6 rescues and shelters. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a dog in DeKalb?
The rescues with the most dogs near DeKalb right now are Animal House Shelter, Inc. (Huntley, IL), Project Hope Animal (Gilberts, IL) and Aurora Animal Care and Control (Aurora, IL). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
Are there puppies for adoption in DeKalb?
Yes. 111 puppys are up for adoption within 25 miles of DeKalb.
How do I adopt a dog in DeKalb?
Pick a dog and contact the rescue or shelter looking after them. Most ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.