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SERVING PEOPLE. SAVING PETS.
winnebago county animal services is a department of Winnebago County government covering more than 500 square miles and serving the more than 280,000 residents who call Winnebago County home. We provide a number of services including pet licensing and registration, veterinary care to animals in need, animal welfare and cruelty investigations, pet adoptions, and more.
The Animal Services department cares for an average of 4,000 animals each year, serves all municipalities, and is the only government run animal services/animal sheltering organization in the county. We work to find homes for pets not reclaimed by their owners. If you are considering adoption we encourage you to view our adoptable pet listings, which are automatically updated every few minutes throughout the day. If you don’t find the pet you’re looking for at Animal Services, also consider visiting other nonprofit shelters and rescues in the community.
hours / contact
Shelter/Lobby Hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday-Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: CLOSED
*Please note, all adoptions end 30 minutes prior to closing.
Patrol Hours:
Daily: 7:00 AM. – 12:00 AM (midnight)
Phone: (815) 319-4100
Fax: (815) 319-4101
Main Shelter
4517 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
lost &
found
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our services
In addition to pet adoption, WCAS offers services to help keep the pets and people of Winnebago County safe and healthy.
featured
animals
for
adoption
considering adopting?
add a furry member to your family
Winnebago County Animal Services works to find happy and healthy homes for adoptable dogs, cats, and other animals. We make finding and bringing home your new family member easy and affordable.
animal
fostering
interested in becoming a foster?
Fostering is a wonderful and rewarding way to help animals who require a little extra attention and care before they are able to be adopted into a permanent home.
we’re social animals
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🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟
We’re shining the spotlight on our pets with something special: each day, one amazing pet will be featured as our Paw-some Pick of the Day — and for that day only, their adoption fee is waived!
👉Friday, November 6th's ...Paw-some Pick is Swedish Fish A0061794126!
Swedish Fish is a 2-year-old, 8 lb. cat who recently came into our care as part of a larger group of cats. Now that Swedish Fish is settling into shelter life, they're ready to turn the page and find a loving home to call their own. Whether it's a cozy spot to curl up, a family to shower them with affection, or simply a place to feel safe and loved, Swedish Fish is hoping their next chapter starts with you!🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Nugget???❤
Nugget came to WCAS in late-September of this year as a stray and was never reclaimed by an owner. As you can imagine, this adorable guy didn't have to wait too long to get adopted and go to a loving home - a few days ...into his stay, during his stray hold period, Nugget was preselected by his future adopter! We prioritized his neuter surgery to align with his emancipation date; so when his owners failed to reclaim him, he was altered and Nugget's adopter was able to take him home right away!
Nugget's adopters reached out and shared these wonderful photos & this lovely update with us!
🐾To the Winnebago County Animal Services Team,
I wanted to reach out and share an update on Nugget, the little orange Pomeranian mix I adopted from your shelter on October 1, 2026.
First, I want to thank you for the work you do and for giving Nugget the opportunity to find his forever home. When I adopted him, I knew I was bringing home a dog who needed a chance, but I didn’t realize just how much happiness he would bring into our lives.
Nugget has been settling in with us, and he is such a sweet, loving, and well-mannered little dog. He follows me around, loves being close to me, and has been learning his commands. He has such a big personality for such a little guy, and he has become a special part of our family.
Today, Nugget had his first grooming appointment with us at PetSmart, where he received the deluxe grooming package. I wanted to share these pictures because he looks so handsome! His fluffy orange coat, little face, and happy personality make him absolutely adorable.
He has his own name tag now, too, with his name, Nugget Stephens. He is no longer just a little stray who came through the shelter. He is a loved family member with a home, a family, and people who care about him.
I also wanted to share this update because I know that behind every animal who comes through your doors is a story, and I hope Nugget’s story is a reminder of why the work you do matters. Thank you for caring for him before he found his way to me and for helping make our paths cross.
Please feel free to share his pictures and happy-tail update on your page if you would like. I would be happy for other people to see how he is doing!
With gratitude and love,
Nugget and his family ❤️🐾
👉Interested in creating your own adoption story?
Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org -to complete an adoption questionnaire!
👉If you've adopted from WCAS and would like to share an update & photos, you can message us OR send us an email at wcas@wcas.wincoil.go
👀🚨Do you know any of these dogs?🚨👀
‼️Can you help us find their families? Each animal's Intake Date & Location Found is include in their photo's caption.‼️
👉If you believe one of these dogs is yours, please call us at 815-319-4100 and one of ...our call takers can speak with you about next steps OR stop by our facility.
👉We're open today (Thursday 11/5) until 5pm.
👉Some of these dogs are available for preselect adoption, which means that although the dog is still on their stray hold period and awaiting reclaim by their owner, an interested adopter is able to complete an adoption application and pay the fee to pre-select the animal for adoption. If the dog is not reclaimed, the adoption is finalized and the dog can go home as soon as they're spayed/neutered.
🍩🐾 Ringo is serving up some serious sweetness as our Eyewitness News Pet of the Week with Meteorologist Joey Marino! ❤️
In honor of National Donut Day, Ringo showed off his very stylish donut collar! (He recently had his neuter surgery, so he's making the most of his ...fashionable accessory! 😉)
Ringo's journey to WCAS started when a concerned citizen spotted a dog lying in a church parking lot, barely moving. When our officers arrived, they found Ringo underweight, scared, and severely matted. Thankfully, he quickly warmed up to the officer who came to help him and was brought back to WCAS to get the care he needed.
Fast forward about a month, and just look at him now! Ringo has gained weight, had a much-needed shave down to start fresh with a new coat, and is showing us more of his personality every day.
And what a personality it is! This boy has a zest for life! He loves playing with other dogs, spending time with people, and stretching those long legs out for some good playtime. Ringo is a young, energetic pup who is ready to find a home where he can thrive, play, and be loved.
Could Ringo be the missing ingredient in your family? 🍩🏡
📍 Fill out an adoption application at www.winnebagoanimals.org and come meet Ringo!
🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟
We’re shining the spotlight on our pets with something special: each day, one amazing pet will be featured as our Paw-some Pick of the Day — and for that day only, their adoption fee is waived!
👉Thursday, November 5th's ...Paw-some Pick is Tootsie A0061794105!
Tootsie is a 1-year-old girl weighing in at 9 pounds, and she’s ready to find a loving family to call her own!
Tootsie recently came into our care as part of a larger group of cats and is now looking forward to a fresh start. She’s a little on the shy side, but she allows pets and handling, giving her future family a chance to get to know her as she settles in. With a little patience, kindness, and time to adjust to her new surroundings, Tootsie will have the opportunity to grow more comfortable and build trust with her new people.
Tootsie can’t wait to meet you! Stop by the shelter during our open hours to meet Tootsie and the other pets waiting for their forever homes.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Grumbl Cake A0061933327❤ and is available for adoption here at WCAS!
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Cat & Dog Treats
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered... & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 6110
🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟
We’re shining the spotlight on our pets with something special: each day, one amazing pet will be featured as our Paw-some Pick of the Day — and for that day only, their adoption fee is waived!
👉Wednesday, November 4th's ...Paw-some Pick is Olay A0061865532!
Olay is a 6-month-old, 5 lb. kitten who came to WCAS as a stray and was never reclaimed. She's now ready to leave shelter life behind and find a loving home where she can grow, play, and enjoy all the fun that comes with being a kitten.
If you're looking for a young feline companion to add a little extra joy to your life, Olay might be just the girl for you! Please apply to adopt through the WCAS website!🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
👀🚨Do you know any of these dogs?🚨👀
‼️Can you help us find their families? Each animal's Intake Date & Location Found is include in their photo's caption.‼️
👉If you believe one of these dogs is yours, please call us at 815-319-4100 and one of ...our call takers can speak with you about next steps OR stop by our facility.
👉We're open today (Tuesday 11/3) until 5pm.
👉Some of these dogs are available for preselect adoption, which means that although the dog is still on their stray hold period and awaiting reclaim by their owner, an interested adopter is able to complete an adoption application and pay the fee to pre-select the animal for adoption. If the dog is not reclaimed, the adoption is finalized and the dog can go home as soon as they're spayed/neutered.
🎉🐾Yesterday's Paw-some Pick Has Found a Home! 🐾🎉
We’re SO excited to share that Pumpkin Spice Latte has officially gone home!
❤️We couldn’t be happier to see them start their next chapter with a loving family!!!
📣A huge thank you to everyone ...who’s been liking, commenting, and sharing our Paw-some Pick of the Day posts — your support truly helps our animals get seen and find homes faster. Every share makes a difference!
👉Today's pick is Barret A0061863743 !
Keep following along and continue spreading the word — you never know which Paw-some Pick might be the next to find their forever home! 🏡
making news
WCAS Returning to Past License Tag Style Due to Global Shipping Disruptions
Winnebago County Animal Services (WCAS) will be returning to the past pet license tag style for 2022 pet registrations. This license tag style, which is a flat, stamped aluminum tag, was last used...
Kitten Season
Kitten season hits every spring and every spring staff prepares for the influx of kittens about to come through our doors. Learn more here!
Working Cat Program
The Working Cat Program finds homes for those cats are better suited to a non-traditional home setting.
PetSmart Adoption Program
WCAS has partnered with six PetSmart locations to help cats and kittens find their new homes.


