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Kittens and cats in Carterville, Illinois

Looking for a kitten or cat in Carterville, Illinois? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

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Adopt a cat in Carterville, Illinois

These adorable cats are available for adoption in Carterville, Illinois. To learn more about each adoptable cat, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
Photo of Little Boy

Little Boy

American Shorthair

Male, Kitten
Carterville, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Little Boy was born to an outside stray 09/2025 and needs a loving home. He is very friendly, been indoors and litterbox trained, and good around other cats.He is neutered, rabies vaccinated, and ear tipped. I want him to have a good home, so he is free. His vet records are pictured and will be given to you with your adoption. He is currently living outside, so he probably has fleas. He sticks around everyday and loves to rub up on my legs. He is playful and a good cat.
Photo of Dude

Dude

American Shorthair

Female, Kitten
Carterville, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Dude was born 03/2025 and needs a loving home. Dude is very friendly, spent time indoors and is litterbox trained, good around other cats, and very loving. He is spayed and rabies vaccinated. I want him to have a good home, so he is free. I will supply his records with your adoption.Dude is currently living outside, so he probably has fleas. He sticks around everyday and is very comfortable being held and has a soft constant purr. He is also a biscuit maker.
Special Needs
Photo of Hound Dog and Lucifur

Hound Dog and Lucifur

Domestic Mediumhair

Male, Adult
Carterville, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Not good with cats, Needs special attention, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
More commonly referred to as: Hound Diggity, Hound Doglet, Hound Didgeridoo, Hound Diglet, Round HogHound Dog has no health issues, but he bullies other cats in the house (except his brother).Most commonly referred to as: Wusufee - he has a history of UTI, so must always be on Urinary Tract Health prevention (nonprescription) food. Relationships with cats: BONDED PAIR! Cannot be separated from each other. Hound Dog is a bully to other cats except for Lucifur. He would do best in a home with no other cats but them. They're sweet boys.Relationships with dogs: Both do very well with dogs that have a history of being good around cats.HD Likes: Being held like a baby, playing fetch with his toys, playing with his brother, mounted scratch posts/pads.Lucifur Likes: Belly rubs, quiet and calm environments, chasing his brother, mounted scratch posts/pads.Both are good with front claws trimmed.DOB: 3.5.23 (littermates)They come fully equipped with toys, beds, food, litter boxes, cat towers, etc.
Photo of Lucky

Lucky

Domestic Shorthair

Male, 4 mos
Herrin, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Lucky’s story starts with being left behind. 💙 Lucky and his littermates were put outside and abandoned when their previous owner moved away. Neighbors at the apartment complex kept an eye on them and tried to find help, but before a rescue could step in, Lucky suffered a serious injury to his leg. His finder and guardian angel rushed him to the veterinarian, where we learned that euthanasia was being considered because of the expected cost of treatment. Thistle Cat stepped in. Lucky’s leg was severely swollen, and X-rays revealed a small round object near what appeared to be a puncture wound. During exploratory surgery, the object was removed. It was a pellet. Lucky had been shot. We splinted his leg and started pain medication, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and routine laser therapy, hoping desperately that his leg would heal and an amputation could be avoided. For weeks, we treated and rewrapped his leg. Unfortunately, it did not improve. Lucky initially still had sensation in his paw, but eventually that sensation disappeared. At that point, amputation became the kindest option. And now? Lucky is quite possibly the cutest little tripod you will ever meet. 🐾 He has an incredibly unique little meow, a huge personality, and absolutely no idea that he is missing a leg. Lucky is a wild man who loves racing around and playing with the other Thistle Cat kittens. Lucky must be adopted into a home with another playful cat or dog or he can be adopted alongside another Thistle Cat. Tripod cats can live long, happy, active lives with remarkable mobility. However, Lucky must be an indoor cat or have only secure, supervised outdoor access, because having three legs can make it harder to escape predators and other dangers. If you’re looking for a hilarious, playful, resilient little guy with three legs, one very special voice, and enough personality for four cats, Lucky might be your boy. And you may want to hurry. These tripods have a funny way of stealing hearts and being adopted much faster than four legged cat friends. 💙🐱
Photo of Rosalee

Rosalee

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 4 mos
Herrin, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Oh, Rosalee. 💙 Rosalee came to us alongside Nora and Rhett, two other kittens who also found their way to animal control alone, without their littermates. Animal control told us Rosalee had been found in a ditch and brought in by a concerned citizen. She was sick, frail, and understandably scared. We nursed her back to health and quickly learned something very important about Rosalee: she is a shy girl through and through. Rosalee usually prefers to keep about four feet between herself and people, and if you approach her too quickly, she will make a very polite exit. 😹 She even has the cutest little cringe when offered pets, which somehow only makes us love her more. We have known many cats like Rosalee over the years. Some take months, and some take years, before they begin seeking affection, lying beside their people, and truly relaxing into a home. They may never become cats who enjoy being picked up, and that is okay. If you are looking for an instant lap cat, Rosalee is probably not your girl. But if you understand that love can look different for every cat, she may be exactly the kind of special companion you are looking for. Rosalee absolutely loves playing with her Thistle Cat kitten friends, and wet food dinner is one of the highlights of her day. Because of her shy personality, we know there is a chance she may remain a forever Thistle Cat. But we also know there may be someone out there who will love her exactly as she is and give her all the time in the world to feel safe. Rosalee does not need to be changed. She just needs to be understood. 🐾💙
Photo of Kiki

Kiki

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 6 mos
Herrin, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Kiki was found by a previous Thistle Cat adopter after she came out from underneath a car in her apartment building parking lot. She was wet, disheveled, and incredibly hungry. Her finder tried to welcome Kiki into her home with her resident cat, and she truly gave it every chance to work. After several weeks of slow introductions, enrichment, counseling and guidance from Thistle Cat, it became clear that the resident cat simply was not going to accept a new sister. Kiki was being bullied, hiding, and becoming afraid to come out and play. So Kiki came to Thistle Cat, where she is now waiting for the loving, accepting family she deserves. 💙 Kiki definitely falls into the category of “aggressively affectionate." Personal space? She has never heard of it. She wants to be right in your face, rubbing her cheeks all over you and making sure you leave covered in a little kitty spit. She is unbelievably sweet and absolutely lives for attention. If you’re looking for an independent cat who keeps to herself, Kiki is not your girl. But if you want a devoted lap companion who will attach herself to you like a tiny furry barnacle, she may be exactly what you’re looking for. She loves just about every toy she can get her paws on, and her hammock basket in the cat tree is one of her absolute favorite places to lounge. For the first time in her young life, Kiki is ready to find a home where she can truly relax, play, and know that she belongs. 🐾

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Cat shelters and rescues in Carterville, Illinois

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for cats in Carterville, Illinois. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

City of Herrin Animal Control - Illinois

1225 Weaver Rd, Herrin, IL 62948

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Thistle Cat Rescue & Sanctuary

Herrin, IL 62948

Pet Types: cats

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Rescue

Second Chances Pet Rehab and Sanctuary- Southern IL

Carbondale, IN 62902

Pet Types: cats, dogs, farm animals, horses, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

Finding Forever Animal Rescue

1117 E Main St, Marion, IL 62959

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

St. Francis CARE

6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Humane Society of Southern Illinois

95 Humane Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Perry County Humane Society

8365 State Route 14, DuQuoin, IL 62832

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Franklin County Animal Control

13163 Oddfellow Lane, Benton, IL 62812

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, horses, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Shelter

Union County Animal Control Illinois

385 Kaolin Rd, Cobden, IL 62920

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, horses, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

Cache Creek Animal Rescue

1235 Spanish Bluff Road, Anna, IL 62906

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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