Animal Care League

What Animal Care League does

Animal Care League (ACL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit no-kill animal welfare organization founded in 1973 and headquartered in Oak Park, Illinois. It serves as the designated municipal stray-holding shelter for nine western-Chicagoland villages — Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest, Melrose Park, Elmwood Park, Riverside, North Riverside, Northlake, and River Grove — through coordinated intake arrangements with each village's police department. ACL operates a portfolio of programs centered on pet adoption, foster placement, lost-and-found reunification (including via the Petco Love Lost integration), behavioral training, and veterinary services. In 2024, the organization recorded 1,436 animal intakes, 1,042 adoptions, 744 foster placements, 245 lost pets returned to owners, 745 Pets & People Support Program orders, and 13,533 volunteer hours.

ACL's service portfolio is built around a low-cost veterinary clinic at 1011 Garfield Street (cat spay/neuter $150, dog spay/neuter $450 with free/reduced pricing for qualifying zip codes, microchip $20, vaccinations $15-$20) co-located with its adoption center at 1009 Garfield Street. Adjacent programs include dog obedience training ($200 for a four-week course), a Superstar Pup Academy behavioral training initiative launched in 2025, the Pets & People Support Program pet food pantry (operating since 2020 and funded in part by The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation), the Real Life Room interaction space, Project: Bring Me Home advocacy, a foster network, youth education (Future Vets for grades 4-8, Junior Volunteers ages 15-17), and the 2nd Chance Shop thrift store at 808 Harrison Street. Adoption fees ($50-$400 by species, age, and size) bundle spay/neuter, microchip, vaccines, food sample, free initial exam at VCA Animal Hospitals, and a $250 post-adoption medical safety net.

Revenue is generated across nine streams: individual donations and GivingTuesday (nearly $110K in the most recent campaign), monthly Champion Club giving ($33-$208/month tiers), planned giving through the 4 Paws Society and the ACL Endowment Fund administered by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, adoption fees, clinic services, training courses, corporate partnerships ($4K-$10K tiers with VIP event benefits), grants, and special-event fundraising including the Spring Luncheon, Mutt Strut, Back Yard Bark-B-Q, Holiday Bazaar (40th year), Clear the Shelters, and Photos with Santa. ACL is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by President Diane Menza and led operationally by Executive Director Renee Harlor, with Medical Director Dr. Kat, Director of Operations Alayna, and functional managers across foster, behavior, adoptions, communications, community resources, and the thrift shop.

Name

Animal Care League

Legal name

Animal Care League

Website

https://animalcareleague.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Animal Care League is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter founded in 1973 in Oak Park, IL, serving as designated stray-holding facility for nine western-Chicagoland villages via adoption, foster, low-cost clinic, training, and pet food pantry programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Veterinary Services (54194)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption services
• Low-cost veterinary clinic
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Pet foster care

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Monetary Gifts: Individual donors contribute one-time and recurring gifts. The organization runs annual GivingTuesday campaigns (raising nearly $110,000) and accepts general monetary donations. Federal Tax ID: 23-7367847.
2. Monthly Giving (Champion Club): Monthly recurring donors at tiered levels ($33/month Playful Pup, $67/month Cool Cat, $100/month Cat's Meow, $208/month Top Dog) receive benefits including name on website, donor tiles, private tours, and car magnets.
3. Planned Giving & Endowment: The ACL Endowment Fund, administered by Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, accepts bequests, gifts of securities, retirement assets, charitable trusts, gift annuities, life insurance, IRAs, and personal property. The 4 Paws Society requires a planned gift of $10,000+.
4. Thrift Shop (2nd Chance Shop): The 2nd Chance Shop at 808 Harrison Street, Oak Park sells gently used items plus new clothing, gifts, and pet supplies. Proceeds support animal medical care.
5. Adoption Fees: Fees range from $50-$400 depending on animal type, age, and size. Includes spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, food sample, free exam, and $250 safety net for qualifying post-adoption medical care.
6. Clinic Services Revenue: Low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services generate revenue. Dog spay/neuter $450 (free/reduced for qualifying zip codes or financial need); cat spay/neuter $150; vaccinations $15-$20 each; microchip $20.
7. Training Courses: Month-long dog training courses at the shelter taught by training staff, priced at $200 for basic obedience courses.
8. Corporate Partnerships: Tiered business partnership packages: Medical Emergency Partner $10,000, Canine Enrichment Partnership $6,000, Pets & People Partnership $8,000, Community Resource Partnership $4,000 — each with VIP event tickets, email advertising, and tours.
9. Grants: Funded by community grants in addition to individual gifts. The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation supports Superstar Pup Academy and behavior/enrichment programming.
10. Special Events Revenue: Revenue-generating events including Holiday Bazaar raffle tickets (50/50 raffle, grand raffle, standard raffle), Spring Luncheon ticket sales, and Mutt Strut sponsorship packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Animal Care League is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter that provides pet adoption services for dogs, cats, and small animals, a low-cost veterinary clinic offering spay/neuter and vaccinations, foster care placement, dog obedience training, behavioral rehabilitation (Superstar Pup Academy), a pet food pantry (Pets & People Support Program), and youth education classes. The organization serves nine Chicagoland villages from its Oak Park, Illinois headquarters and operates a thrift shop (2nd Chance Shop) whose proceeds fund animal medical care.

Product overview

Animal Care League is a nonprofit animal shelter organization (501(c)(3)) offering a portfolio of animal welfare services centered around pet adoption, low-cost veterinary care, and community support. The core offerings include pet adoption services for dogs, cats, and small animals; a low-cost veterinary clinic providing spay/neuter and vaccination services; dog training courses; and foster care programs. Additional services include the Real Life Room (interaction space with shelter dogs), Superstar Pup Academy (behavioral training for shelter dogs), Project: Bring Me Home (advocacy program), the 2nd Chance Shop thrift store, youth education programs, and the Pets & People Support Program (pet food pantry). Fundraising programs include the Champion Club monthly giving program and 4 Paws Society planned giving. The organization serves nine villages in the Chicago metropolitan area from its Oak Park, Illinois location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pets & People Support Program: Pet food pantry that provides care packages of food and supplies to pet owners in need, operating since 2020
• Superstar Pup Academy
• Champion Program
• 4 Paws Society
• Superstar Pup Academy

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Animal adoption services placing dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and other small animals in forever homes. Includes adoption questionnaire, meet-and-greet process, and post-adoption support including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, food sample, free VCA exam, and $250 post-adoption medical safety net. Available to individuals 18+ who are residents of the service area.
• Low-Cost Veterinary Clinic Affordable spay/neuter and vaccination services open to all community members. Services include cat spay/neuter ($150), dog spay/neuter ($450 standard, free/reduced for qualifying zip codes 60644, 60804, 60160 or proof of financial need), microchipping ($20), rabies vaccine ($20), distemper vaccine ($20), bordetella vaccine ($15), combo test ($30), and heartworm test ($20). Operates as a cashless clinic.
• Dog Training Courses Month-long, four-week obedience training courses taught by professional training staff at the shelter. Includes Puppy Basic Obedience (6 months-2 years, $200) and Adult Dog Basic Obedience (2+ years, $200), teaching obedience basics and essential commands to dog owners in the community.
• Real Life Room A living room-style space at the shelter where visitors can spend quality time with shelter dogs. Appointments available from $10, featuring high-speed internet, TV, desk, and books. Helps reduce shelter dog stress and improves adoptability through one-on-one human interaction.
• Superstar Pup Academy Training program launched in 2025 providing consistent one-on-one training to shelter dogs to address individual behavioral challenges that lead to stress buildup and reduce adoptability. Funded by The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare.
• Foster Care Program Temporary foster care program for shelter animals across dogs, cats, and small mammals. ACL provides all supplies and guidance at no cost; fosters can care for animals from weekend stays to long-term placements. Separate applications and onboarding tracks for each species.
• 2nd Chance Shop (Thrift Shop) Secondhand retail thrift store at 808 Harrison Street, Oak Park, selling gently used home goods, books, records, jewelry, china, electronics, and holiday items, alongside new clothing, gifts, and pet supplies. Open Wednesday-Sunday 11:30am-6:30pm. Proceeds support animal medical care at the shelter.
• Pets & People Support Program Pet food pantry operating since 2020 providing care packages of food and supplies to pet owners in need in Oak Park and surrounding communities. One request per month per household with distribution within two weeks. 745 orders filled in 2024. Supported by Kriser's Natural Pet and Hill's Pet Nutrition.
• Youth Education Programs Humane education programs for youth including Future Vets class (Grades 4-8), Junior Volunteering (ages 15-17), and Kids Club (6-week program). Activities and educational programs are held at the shelter and introduce youth to animal care through hands-on veterinary-themed activities.
• Champion Club Monthly Giving Monthly recurring donation program with four tiers: Playful Pup Supporter ($33/month), Cool Cat Supporter ($67/month), Cat's Meow Supporter ($100/month), and Top Dog Supporter ($208/month). Auto-deducted monthly payments with benefits scaling by tier, including website recognition, donor tiles, private tours for up to 8 guests, First to Know email, and ACL car magnets.
• 4 Paws Society (Planned Giving) Planned giving society for donors who commit a planned gift of $10,000 or more. Includes the ACL Endowment Fund administered by Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Accepts bequests, gifts of securities, retirement assets, charitable trusts, gift annuities, life insurance, IRAs, and personal property. The organization commits to shelter the pets of 4 Paws Society members who predecease their animals.
• Business Partnership Programs Tiered corporate sponsorship program for local businesses: Medical Emergency Partner ($10,000), Canine Enrichment Partnership ($6,000), Pets & People Partnership ($8,000), and Community Resource Partnership ($4,000). Each tier includes VIP event tickets, email advertising via the In the Know Monthly Email, behind-the-scenes tours, and speaking opportunities.
• Project: Bring Me Home Shelter pet advocacy program pairing businesses, clubs, student groups, influencers, or individuals with a shelter pet for one month. Advocates use their networks to help spread adoption awareness and get shelter pets into adoptive homes.
• Lost & Found Pet Reunification Lost and found pet reunification service integrated with the Petco Love Lost online platform. Stray animals at ACL are automatically posted to lost.petcolove.org to maximize the chance of reunification with owners. Lost pet reports can also be submitted directly to ACL. 245 pets were returned to owners in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,436 animal intakes and 1,042 adoptions in 2024
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Kriser's Natural PetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKriser's Natural Pet partners with the Pets & People Support Program (PPSP), donating thousands of pounds of pet food to keep the pet food pantry stocked. Kriser's also sponsors ACL events including Mutt Strut 2025. The partnership directly enables the food pantry program that prevents pet surrenders.
• Oak Park-River Forest Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers the ACL Endowment Fund, which was established to ensure the future of Animal Care League. The principal is invested and only income is used for operating expenses, with the goal of building a fund large enough to support ACL operations in perpetuity using only interest and dividends.
• VCA Animal HospitalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVCA provides free initial veterinary exams for all ACL adopters as part of the adoption package. Additionally, full-time ACL employees receive discounted veterinary services for their own pets through the VCA Partnership benefit, supporting employee retention.
• Hill's Pet NutritionsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerHill's Pet Nutrition is acknowledged as a partner on the ACL Resources page, likely providing pet food support for shelter animals and/or the Pets & People Support Program. The partnership is noted alongside a logo.
• Petco Love LostcoreTechnology or IntegrationACL automatically posts all stray animals to Petco Love Lost (lost.petcolove.org), a lost pet reunification platform. This integration ensures lost pets are visible across a broad network, increasing the likelihood of reunion with owners.
• Mutt Strut 2025 Sponsors (Forest Security, Kriser's, John Dwyer, Margaritas, Snip City)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMutt Strut 2025 was the first in-person event since 2019. Sponsors included Forest Security, Kriser's, John Dwyer, Margaritas, and Snip City. Special thanks to Brigid Baier and VS Print Services. The event was a major community engagement and fundraising opportunity.
• Mend WellnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMend Wellness donates spa basket prizes (including 1-hour massage, $25 Amazon gift card, $25 value) for the Holiday Bazaar raffle, supporting ACL's largest annual fundraising event.
• Village Police Departments (9 Villages)coreOthersACL serves as the designated animal shelter for 9 villages: Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest, Melrose Park, Elmwood Park, Riverside, North Riverside, Northlake, and River Grove. Each village's police department handles stray animal calls and coordinates intake with ACL. Holding periods vary by village (3-7 days depending on ID status).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National animal welfare nonprofit operating shelter, adoption, veterinary, and advocacy programs. Comparable as an established broad incumbent in the animal welfare nonprofit sector, with overlapping mission and donor pools.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization running sanctuary operations, adoption partnerships, and community programs. Comparable as a leading no-kill advocacy nonprofit with overlapping programs (adoption, foster, training) to ACL.
• PetSmart Charities: A national nonprofit funder of pet adoptions and welfare programs, partnering with thousands of shelters. Comparable as a donor/funder in the animal welfare ecosystem that supports shelter operations similar to ACL's.
• Humane Society of the United States: The largest U.S. animal welfare organization, operating nationwide advocacy, rescue, and shelter programs. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the animal welfare nonprofit space, though operating at vastly greater scale than ACL.

Direct peers

• PAWS Chicago: A leading no-kill shelter in the Chicago metro area offering adoptions, low-cost veterinary services, and community programs. Directly comparable as a large-scale no-kill animal welfare nonprofit serving the same Chicagoland donor and adopter base as ACL.
• Almost Home Foundation: A no-kill animal rescue operating in the Chicago suburbs, relying on foster networks and donor support. Directly comparable as a Chicagoland no-kill rescue with a foster-heavy operating model similar to ACL's 744-animal foster throughput.
• Tree House Humane Society: Chicago-focused animal welfare organization offering cat adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter, and behavior programs. Comparable as a Chicagoland shelter/rescue operating adoption, clinic, and community education programs similar to ACL's portfolio.
• Orphans of the Storm: Deerfield, IL-based animal shelter offering adoptions, veterinary care, and education programs. Directly comparable as a long-standing suburban Chicago no-kill shelter with a similar multi-program, donation-funded model.
• Anti-Cruelty Society: Chicago-based animal shelter offering adoptions, low-cost veterinary care, training, and humane education. Directly comparable as a multi-program animal welfare nonprofit operating in the same metropolitan market as ACL.

Emerging players

• Greater Good Charities: A national nonprofit supporting animal welfare, hunger, and humanitarian programs through corporate partnerships and donor funding. Comparable as an animal welfare nonprofit leveraging diverse giving and partner channels similar to ACL's Champion Club and corporate partnership tiers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/animalcarel
• Facebookfacebook.com/animalcareleague
• Instagraminstagram.com/animalcareleague
• TikToktiktok.com/@animalcareleague_1973

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Animal Care League