Wilmette Pet Center Helps Homeless Pets Find Families

The Wilmette Pet Center has been pairing loving families with homeless pets since 2007 in a partnership with Adopt-a-Pet, a Chicagoland agency.

When owner David Cozzolino took over the Wilmette Pet Center in 2007, he wanted the pet store to switch to all adoption, a process that took a couple of years to determine the best way to do so. In 2009, the store went to 100 percent adoption.

The store partners with Adopt-a-Pet, which pulls animals out of kill shelters in the Chicagoland area and puts them in foster homes, taking on 100 percent of the expenses (including often much-needed veterinary care) along the way. The Wilmette Pet Center donates space, employee's time and supplies to the charity, helping loving pets find their forever homes along the way.

"We're very proud. It works out very well — we take care of them, and they are safe and healthy," Cozzolino said. 

The animals available at the Wilmette Pet Center are traditionally smaller dogs and cats, all of whom are healthy and have a good disposition. The dogs are taken out by employees four times per day, and volunteers come into to socialize the animals. 

Those wanting to adopt a pet can visit available animals at the Wilmette Pet Center (including both cats and dogs) or see what other animals Adopt-a-Pet has available on their website here. Once a pet is selected, those wishing to adopt a pet can apply online. An Adopt-a-Pet screener than checks out applications. If the application is approved, a pet counselor will meet the family in the store (all members of the family must attend). The whole process takes two to three days, with the money from the adoption fee going to taking care of veterinary fees.

"It averages about two weeks in and out," Cozzolino said of how long an animal is typically in the Wilmette Pet Center. 

"I love this store, [this partnership] makes me want to shop here," said Pam Nudelman of Northbrook. "I like to encourage this adoption thing and prices ... do match competitors."

The Wilmette Pet Center will be hosting a fundraiser for Adopt-a-Pet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 13, featuring a petting zoo from 12-4, dog washing and a carnival. 

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