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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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🎉🎉 Last week, Winnebago County Animal Services helped 41 pets find adoptive families! This included 28 cats, 12 dogs, and 1 Bearded Dragon!🎉🎉
💙💚#EmptyTheShelters and reduced fees are ending at the end of day Saturday!💙💚
📣 ‼️LET'S EMPTY THE ...SHELTER ‼️ Now thru Saturday, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are reduced thanks to the generous support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation:
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats
We would like to thank the BISSELL Pet Foundation for sponsoring this adoption event and everyone who has participated so far!
For more information on adoptable pets, please visit our website at
www.winnebagoanimals.org .
🚨‼URGENT DONATION NEED‼🚨
We've had over 90 cats come into our care in the past week- 60 of them being kittens, and we are in DESPERATE need of canned kitten food!
If you're able to help us out and donate, you can send or drop off donations to 4517 N Main St. ...Rockford, IL 61103.
For more information, please visit our website: www.WinnebagoAnimals.org
Thank you in advance!!!
‼🎉RESCUE TRANSFER/ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Monster (now Monty)???❤
Monty came to WCAS in late-October of 2020 as a stray. Monty was microchipped and their owner was notified that he was at our facility, but Monty's owners never showed up to reclaim him. ...Although Monty didn't have the greatest cage presence while here, he did great during dog intros. However, after a few dog intros and interactions with staff in the play yard, it was noticed that Monty would become protective of his handler (his favorite was one of our now Animal Control Officers, Austin) and growl at anyone that would approach.
Our Adoption Coordinator sprung into action and reached out to various rottweiler rescues to see what options we had to get Monty into a home who understood his needs. MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue (MARR) contacted us back right away and informed us that this was behavior they had commonly seen in Rottweilers in shelter environments and that they would work with us to see if they could help.
MARR sent one of their evaluators to our facility to visit with Monty, which went well! MARR arranged a foster, and it just so happened that this foster was a pilot from Indiana who had experience in helping transport rescue dogs! Two of our staff members, one of which was one who Monty became so fond of, took Monty to meet his foster at the Rockford Airport and Monty hopped right in the plane, ready for his flight! Monty was flying high (literally!) on his way to his foster home!
👉Earlier this week, nearly 5 years later, we received a wonderful update from Monty's foster home turned adopter!!!
Monty's adopter shared an update with us along with these wonderful photos!
🐾In November of 2020 we fostered then adopted a Rottweiler named “Monster” from Rockford through MARR. We picked him up in an airplane. Not sure if anyone that was there 5 years ago is still there (young man in red shirt and young lady). Was just looking at old photos and thought I’d share. We call him “Monty” (unless he’s in trouble, then it’s “Monster”) and he is doing well.
It hasn’t all been roses, lol, but we love him and he loves us. He’s got some lingering issues, likely from some prior abuse or neglect. We were fostering but decided to adopt because we thought he’d end up in a shelter again by another owner, or worse, be euthanized. But he is full of love and very affectionate.
He must’ve sat on his former owner’s lap as a young pup, because he still does it…at 120 lbs! Given the choice between chicken and romaine lettuce - he chooses lettuce (?!). He loves being brushed. He enjoys cars and flying. He takes and protects empty water bottles (he likes recycling). Our life is crazy with Monty :)🐾
👉Interested in creating your own adoption story? We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption!
👉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.gov!
🐾 Meet Roxie — WCAS’s Longest-Staying Resident! 🐾
This sweet girl came to us as a stray and, sadly, was never reclaimed. 💔 Roxie has been with us for over 119 days, but she hasn’t let that dampen her gentle spirit. 💛
Roxie is a mild-mannered cuddle bug who loves ...curling up next to volunteers and quietly watching the world go by. While she was a little shy with other dogs at first, she recently had a heartwarming play session with a fellow pup — and totally came out of her shell! 🐶💕
She’s been hanging out behind our front desk lately, where we’ve learned she’s potty trained, well-mannered, and loves to greet staff with a gentle hug and lean for attention. 🥹
Roxie is ready to find the loving home she deserves — one where she can share her calm, affectionate nature with her very own family.
Come meet Roxie during our open hours — and say hello to the other wonderful adoptable pets waiting for homes too!
‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️
For a limited time only, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are reduced thanks to the generous support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation:
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats
Want to get a head start on the adoption process?
You can fill out an application today through our website!
www.winnebagoanimals.org
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Jakey???❤
Jakey came to WCAS as a stray in early-June and was never reclaimed by an owner. Thankfully Jakey didn't have to wait long for adoption, after a couple of week in our care Jakey was adopted!
Jakey's adopter ...shared an update with us along with these adorable photos!
🐾I wanted to give an adoption update!! We adopted JAKEY last month on the 20th and he has settled in greatly!!! He loves my daughter and loves going on walks and car rides. He had his first pup cup and he loved it. His favorite toy is his squeaky bird he takes it everywhere with him. He's such a good boy and is a great addition to our family!!!🐾
👉Interested in creating your own adoption story? We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption!
👉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.gov!
🐾🎉 Happy National Kitten Day! 🎉🐾
Today we’re celebrating the tiniest toe beans, the fiercest zoomies, and the loudest purrs packed into the smallest bodies! 🐱💕
‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️
For a limited time only, adoption fees at Winnebago ...County Animal Services are reduced thanks to the generous support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation:
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats
Kittens bring joy, curiosity, and just the right amount of chaos into our lives—and here at WCAS, we’re lucky enough to witness their adorable antics every single day! 😻
Thinking about adding a kitten (or two!) to your family? Now is the purr-fect time to adopt, foster, or even just stop by for some snuggles and smiles. Take a look at just a few of the kittens currently up for adoption at WCAS below!
💛 Whether you’re ready to bring home a new furry friend or just want to celebrate the cuteness, we’d love to see you today. Come visit us and help us find homes for these precious little floofs!
📍 Adoption Hours:
🕚 Thursday & Friday: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
🕚 Saturday: 11 AM – 3:30 PM
‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️
Now through a limited time, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are REDUCED thanks to the BISSELL Pet Foundation!
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats
🎥🐾 Eyewitness News Pet ...of the Week: Watson! 🐾🎥
Watson joined Meteorologist Joey Marino to show off just what makes our adoptable dogs so special—and he nailed it!
🐾 Meet Watson!
This handsome, young pup came to us as a stray in rough shape—emaciated and needing lots of TLC. But thanks to some love, care, and plenty of snacks, Watson is now nearly 10 pounds healthier and ready to find his forever home! 💪❤️
At about a year old, Watson still has that goofy, fun-loving puppy energy. He lives for playtime—especially with other dogs and toys. Afterward? It’s snuggle city. 🧸🐕
Watson’s journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s ready for a fresh start with a family who will love him as much as he loves belly rubs. 🥰
All adoptions include:
✔️ Wellness exam
✔️ Spay/neuter
✔️ Microchip
✔️ Age-appropriate vaccines
✔️ Flea/tick preventative
...and more!
📢 Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to adopt!
Visit www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view available pets and complete an adoption questionnaire.
📍 Adoption Hours:
🕚 Thursday & Friday: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
🕚 Saturday: 11 AM – 3:30 PM
Let’s find Watson—and all his furry friends—the forever homes they deserve! 🏡💛
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Zoey???❤
Zoey initially came to us as a stray in May of 2022 and was never reclaimed by an owner. When she arrived, she had a broken right paw and a large wound on her head. Her paw was surgically corrected and she spent the next couple... of months in foster care while she healed & recovered and was eventually adopted by her foster. However, a couple of months after getting adopted, Zoey found herself back at our facility, again as a stray. Sadly, her adopter never showed up to reclaim her. After a couple of months back at WCAS, Zoey was adopted into what she thought would be her forever home, but after two and a half years, Zoey was returned to WCAS. For the next 3 months, Zoey patiently awaited adoption until she was adopted in mid-June of this year!
Zoey's adopter shared an update with us along with these great photos!
🐾We adopted Zoey about a month ago from the Winnebago County Animal Services shelter. She’s such a joy and a wonderful addition to our family. She’s so sweet and loving, she even loves her new brother. Thank you everyone who made it possible for Zoey to find her forever home!!!
Zoey loves to run around in the yard with her brother Echo, which we also adopted from your faculty a year ago. She loves when it’s time to eat and loves her treats!!!
🐾
👉Interested in creating your own adoption story? We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption!
👉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.gov!
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
(Our model is Tomás A0058664698! They're currently available for adoption here at WCAS!!!)
This week, we're in need of the following items:
✨ Kitten Wet Food
✨ Dog Wet Food
Donations can be dropped off at... our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103
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.