Adoption Requirements

1) EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD MUST MEET THE ANIMAL. IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO ADOPT A DOG and already have one, WE REQUIRE A DOG MEETING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ANIMALS GET ALONG. You must provide proof that your current dog is up to date on rabies prior to the meeting.  

2) IF YOU RENT, WE NEED A RENTERS AGREEMENT TO SHOW THAT YOU are allowed a pet. YOU MUST SHOW IF YOU HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS SUCH AS HOW MANY ANIMALS YOU CAN OWN, SIZE LIMITATIONS, OR BREED RESTRICTIONS, IF YOU OWN YOUR HOME PLEASE BRING PROOF I.E. TAX STATEMENT. 

3) We require that every adopter must purchase a Martingale collar. You may bring your own or purchase one here (RANGING FROM $10-$15). Shelter animals are the most common animals to get loose, a martingale collar ensures that your new baby gets home safely! 

AFTER A STAFF member APPROVES YOUR MEETING AND THESE 3 THINGS ARE DONE, WE PROVIDE ADOPTERS WITH THE ADOPTION APPLICATION AND SCHEDULE YOUR GOING HOME APPOINTMENT! We schedule going home appointment within 48 hours. 

POTENTIAL ADOPTERS: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MEETINGS CAN TAKE UP TO 45 MINUTES SO PLEASE ARRIVE ACCORDINGLY. KENNEL HOURS ARE POSTED ON THE “CONTACT & HOURS” PAGE. tHANKS!

DOG ADOPTION FEES

Ark Stowaways: Animals that have been aboard the Ark longer than usual. Stowaways have a special, reduced adoption fee. The reduced fees are cases-by-case for each animal and. All of our adoptable cats and dogs, along with their adoption fees, can be viewed below.

Although Noah’s Ark is first come, first serve, we reserve the right to place the animal in the best home, not necessarily the first home.

Effective Immediately: All applicants are required to have an approved application on file PRIOR to meeting with an animal.

attention: we were not able to receive any applications (adoption, volunteer or foster) from March 4th - March 6th at 1pm. If you sent any applications during that time, you will need to resubmit the application. we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To adopt an animal, a meeting and application must be approved. Submitting an online application does not guarantee adoption of an animal. Please have requirements met, as listed above, and come meet the animal you are interested in.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION.

Mobile users: To view information on the animal, please click on the photo of the animal and then click on the dot in the bottom right corner

Adoption fees have changes. Please visit the “Adoption Info” tab for a complete list of fees and requirements.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION.

Mobile users: To view information on the animal, please click on the photo of the animal and then click on the dot in the bottom right corner

Adoption fees have changes. Please visit the “Adoption Info” tab for a complete list of fees and requirements.

The sanctuary was founded and incorporated by a small group of residents from Rockford, IL on April 30, 1978. Their primary concern was humane care and population control. There have been over 30,000 animals that have been aboard the ark.

Each year over one thousand animals come to Noah's Ark in need of a warm bed, good meal, and most importantly a forever home. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work hard to ensure each animal receives the best care possible during his/her stay.

We receive no government funding and rely on the support and kindness from our community, private donations, bequests, fund raising events, grants, and volunteer help to complete our mission.

Noah's ark does not euthanize animals to make space to house others. We are a no kill shelter and work to preserve life whenever possible.

Our vision is to secure a safe environment for all companion animals. We envision a world where all people and their pets live healthy, happy, and long lives together.

EVERY DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN A SHELTER ANIMAL'S LIFE. 

WE RECEIVE NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING. THE KIND HEARTED DONATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY KEEP US RUNNING.

Noah's Ark is always in need of donations, being a non-profit organization. Please check back as this list is updated to reflect current needs

• Baby Gates

• Playpens

• Pack ‘n Plays

• Tall kitchen garbage bags

• FREEZE FRIED/ DEHYDRATED DOG TREATS

• Post-it notes

• no top litter boxes

• Friskies Canned Wet Food

• Tape white-out pen corrector

• Scales (kitchen, baby or for Large Dogs

• Animal Traps

• Ziplock bags all sizes

• Puppy/kitten formula

• kitten chow

• Newpapers (standard size)

• BLEACH

• Laundry detergent h.e.

• fabuloso floor cleaner

• puppy pads

• Rescue disinfecting wipes

• Clorox disinfecting wipes

• towels (Washcloths and bath towels only)

• CAT TOYS

• DOG TOYS

• PUPPY WIPES

• Giftcards from Amazon, Farm & Fleet, MENARDS

• Postage Stamps

• paper towels

• kleenex

• copy paper

• bootie covers

• isolation gowns

• Nebulizers

• Normal & Large Push brooms

SPECIAL REQUESTS 

• Portable, collapsible nylon playpen with screens and a top

• Industrial steamer for cleaning kennels

• MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation | Deluxe Ferret Nation Cage & Ferret Playpen (Available at amazon)

• (2) 10.1” Amazon Fire Tablet with Case

Noah's ark is also associated with amazon smile. please select the ark as your smile recipient. if you need help with amazon smile please contact us at the ark 815-962-2767

if you live too far from noah's ark or you are unable to bring in donations for any reason, for your convenience we accept donations through amazon. we are always in need of supplies to run our organization and amazon has made donating simple and quick.

DONATIONS CAN ALSO BE MADE IN-PERSON OR BY MAIL. CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO Noah's ARK ANIMAL SANCTUARY INC. PLEASE MAIL TO: 111 N 1ST ST Rockford, IL 61107

We receive no government funding, we strictly rely on donations from our community. Thank you for your support.

vehicle donation

We accept vehicle donations as a means of support! Click on "VEHICLE DONATION" above to donate a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, and more!

KENNEL SPONSORSHIP

ANYONE CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A SHELTER ANIMAL'S LIFE. IT'S An EASY $25/ MONTH. BY SPONSORING A KENNEL, YOU ARE HELPING FEED AND CARE FOR THAT ANIMAL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR ONE OF THE ANIMALS ABOARD THE ARK, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE.

Become an Ark Keeper

Signing up for memberships at Noah's Ark allows you to help more animals! Members receive quarterly newsletters, a mug and surprise gifts! Members donate monthly. There is a form below for your convenience, All memberships must be by credit card and will be withdrawn monthly. PLease fill out the form below. Thank you for your generosity! 

wE HAVE MULTIPLE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SUPPORT OUR SHELTER ANIMALS AND PETS IN THE COMMUNITY. eACH EVENT IS A GREAT SPONSORSHIP AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION.

pLEASE CLICK ON the links BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. cONTACT Brooke POnd, Assistant Shelter Manager, AT 815-962-2767 OR NOAH@NOAHSARKANIMALS.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Fore! the Love of Animals

Our first independent golf play day will be held on June 29, 2024. There are sponsorship levels ranging from $100 to $5000 and include marketing opportunities.

Event is held on 6/29/24. Sponsorships must be purchased by 5/31/24.

Holiday Card Campaign 2024

please consider being our corporate match for our holiday card campaign 2024! Sponsor will be featured and thanked in the card, on all social media platforms and website. Contact us asap if interested. thank you!

Project Pretty Pittie

Back for the first time since 2019, Project Pretty Pittie is the only dog runway show in rockford. There will be sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to $2000 and will include advertising. More info coming soon!

Event Date coming soon. Sponsorship must be purchased by 9/15/2024.

Holiday Adoption Bundle 2024

This holiday season, adopters will be offered holiday bundles that include some necessities for thier new friend at a reduced fee. Companies can sponsor holiday bundles for adopters! Contact us asap if interested. Thank you!

Rockford Art Scene Spring & Fall

Twice a year we participate in Art Scene and sell paintings created by our animals.. There are two sponsorship opportunities for this event at $400 each.

Event Dates coming soon. Spring Sponsorship must be purchased by 3/15/23.

#Givingtuesday 2024

please consider being our corporate match for #GivingTuesday 2024! Sponsor will be featured and thanked on all social media platforms and website. Contact us asap if interested. thank you!

Where Hearts Meet 5K & Pancake Breakfast

New this year, our 5k run/ walk and pancake breakfast take place in August 2024. All 5k runners will be able to enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Tickets for just breakfast will be available too. More info coming soon!

Event is held on 8/24/24. Sponsorship must be purchased by July 15, 2024.

Bark & Wine Gala 2025

OUr biggest fundraiser of the year! sponsorship levels range from $750 - $3000 and include attendance at the event and marketing opportunities.

More information coming soon.

2024 Calendar of Fundraising Events

• Bark & Wine Gala: April 6th, 2024

• Fore! The love of Animals: June 29th, 2024

• Where hearts Meet 5k & Pancake Breakfast: August 24, 2024

• Fall Art Scene: October 4th - October 5th, 2024

• Project Pretty Pittie: TBD

Thank you to our Fore! The Love of Animals Sponsors!

TO sponsor this event, please click here.

Thank you to everyone who attended Bark & Wine 2024! It was our most successful year yet and we are so grateful for everyone’s support. OUr 16th Annual Bark & wine will be Saturday, April 12, 2025!

2024 Good Stewart Award

At our 2023 Bark and Wine, we started our first-ever ‘Good Stewart’ Award. This award pays homage to our founders, Charles and Jan Stewart, and is awarded to a volunteer that has been a true superhero for our animals of Noah’s Ark. We are excited to announce our 2024 Good Stewart Award recipients are Brian & Kristen Gosselin! They have been fostering kittens for nearly six years and just reached 250 kittens! Out of all of those they have only "foster failed" 3 of them. They now have 6 cats and they can’t imagine life without them. Along with fostering, They have worked with Noah's Ark Animal Clinic to TNR many strays Cats and feral colonies to help keep the stray population at a supportable level. they love working with the cats and kittens to give them a chance at a good life. Brian & Kristen, thank you for all you do for animals. We appreciate you so much!

Past Good Stewart Award Winners: Denise LEake ‘23

Thank you to our Bark and Wine 2024 sponsors!

NOAH'S ARK runs on volunteers!  Most of our staff began that way. ♥

We are always looking for dedicated volunteers that can commit to a set number of hours per month.  There is a lot of"behind the scenes" work to be done to keep our sanctuary running smoothly. This could range from cleaning cages to unfolding newspapers TO BOTTLE FEEDING INFANT ANIMALS. our volunteers are appreciated by the staff, ADOPTERS, and especially the animals here.

There is a lot of work to be done here everyday.  Please be prepared to do some physical work.  You must be at least 16 to volunteer alone.  Children 9 and older who want to volunteer can be accompanied by their volunteer parents, but must be supervised by them at all times.

Not everyone can do the hard work, we understand that.  There are a lot of other opportunities as well.  Please consider one of our new programs if you're unable to volunteer for a full 3 hour shift at the sanctuary

foster: Fostering for noah's ark allows us to save more animals. fostering entails housing and socializing a cat or kitten until they are ready for adoption.  if you have an office or business that can house an adult cat, you can foster! if you have a spare room in your home for a mom and her kittens, you can foster! if you have the time and dedication to save orphaned kittens and bottle feed them, you can foster! please come in to the ark for more information on fostering.

Dog Walking Brigade: We want more dog walkers!  Come in and work 4 - 3hr volunteer shifts and take the required dog walking class. then you can sign the dog walking waiver and come in whenever the kennels are open.  We hope it will be often! You have to be at least 16 to do this job, UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE CAN WALK DOGS WITH A PARENT PRESENT. 

Events & Fundraisers: We need volunteers to help us do more fundraising.  You would be walking around selling raffle tickets or collecting donations, showing off animals, standing behind a table answering questions, and helping us to set up and tear down our booth.  If you have an outgoing personality, this one is for you! PURCHASING A NOAH'S ARK TSHIRT IS A REQUIREMENT.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer form by clicking the button below.

At Noah's Ark, we welcome all walks of life to join our employment and volunteer teams. We proudly welcome individuals of any race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political view. Animals provide a sense of support and healing so we are happy to provide that for anyone that walks through our door.

Neither of these forms are adoption applications! please visit the “adoption info” tab to see our adoption process. thanks!

We are forever grateful for the generosity that pours out of our community and we love to give back. Please click on each image below to learn more about the program. For veterinary programs, please visit noahsarkvethospital.org.

How this will help our community

We are proud to offer three community programs. These are the Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and outdoor cats, the Low-Income vaccine clinics for winnebago County residents that need assistance with veterinary care and the low-cost spay/ neuter program for family cats. Please click the link below to learn more about each program. Please call 815-489-9800 to schedule appointments.

Noah’s ark is community driven and community supported.

OVERPOPULATION IS one of THE MAIN CAUSEs OF DEATH OF DOMESTICATED CATS AND DOGS. WE ENCOURAGE ALL PEOPLE TO DO THEIr part and have their animals altered in an effort to better their health and reduce the stray population.  

Before you surrender a pet

we understand that sometimes it's just not possible to keep a pet, but before making that decision please consider all your options. When a pet is surrendered to a shelter the transition is difficult for them. Shelters are a high stress environment even for the most well-adjusted animal.

before you make your final Decision Please do the following:

• Consult a trainer or behaviorist for help with behavior problems, call us if you need assistance finding someone

• Talk to your veterinarian to rule out possible medical issues your pet may be experiencing, biting can be from pain

• look for an alternative place to live that accepts pets

• talk with friends and family for a possible new home for your pet

• re-home your pet yourself. this transition is much easier than a shelter and you will know where your pet is going.

Please also consider the don'ts

• don't drop your pet off in the woods or countryside. It is likely they will starve or risk injury

• don't abandon your animal in a house or apartment thinking they will find a new home. this doesn't happen

• don't give your pet to a stranger. pets that end up in the wrong hands are often abused or may be sold to a research laboratory

if you have exhausted all other avenues, consider surrendering your animal to noah's ark.

Necessary documents to surrender:

• valid photo id

• Any pertinent records on the animal, i.e. medical records, registration papers, bill of sale, etc.

• Owners signature must be provided for noah's ark to accept an animal

• we do require a sURRENDER FEE OF $5 to help offset the costs for caring for your pet.

We do not take aggressive animals. we are a limited intake facility so please call ahead and check availability and make appointment for surrender.

Please follow us on social media and share our posts to spread the word about Noah's Ark across the entire world! Click the icons below to be redirected to our social media accounts.