You can now register for the 2026 membership year! 

Member registration is from 2/1/2026 — 12/15/2026. We pause registration after December 15th to allow the current Board to begin facilitating the 2027 Board election and handoff. The following year’s registration always reopens February 1st. 

Membership is not required to come to our public events. But it comes with many perks!

• You’re at least 18 years old
• You want to help support the Chicago Pet Patrol community, including all of its snoots, tails, paws, claws, furries, handlers, friends, and newcomers
• You are adhere to our dues policy (see Member Dues)
• You have no claims against you that would conflict with our Governance

• You’re helping the Chicago Pet Patrol facilitate community intermingling
• Membership year pet tag
• Membership year patch
• Invitation to attend our appreciation brunch, typically between January and February
• Invitation to attend our quarterly business meetings, occasionally in-person but always virtual-friendly
• Vote for the next year’s Board, including any vacancies that occur in the current year
• Vote on applicable club initiatives and club policy changes as allowed by our Governance

As a 501(c)(7) non-profit, we maintain financial stability primarily through annual member dues. Member dues help us cover the costs associated with organizing some of our club events (such as vendor relationships, event-related expenses, and the member-only appreciation brunch), member swag (such as the annual club tags and patches) technical essentials (such as website, web store, digital assets, member directory, and other applications), and all the legal stuff (such as incorporation, trademark, and legalizing awoo).

We strive to make membership inclusive and affordable for everyone that wants to be involved. If anyone in our community doesn’t have the means to afford annual dues, the club will waive the cost on a case-by-case basis for the year. When dues are waived, a representative of the following year’s Board will revisit the arrangement as we transition to the next membership year. Anyone in need of this option is welcome to confide their request with a member of the current Board. These request remain completely anonymous outside of the Board members.