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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

our services

In addition to pet adoption, WCAS offers services to help keep the pets and people of Winnebago County safe and healthy.

Pet Registration

Pet registration is required by law and a great way to help your pet get back home if they become lost. Plus, these fees fund our services.

Animal Welfare & Investigations

Our team investigates animal welfare and safety concerns. We also offer outreach and education about responsible pet ownership.

Vaccinations & Rabies Control

Regular vaccination is required for all cats and dogs and helps keep our pets and community healthy. Our team investigates bite incidents to prevent the spread of the rabies virus.

Spay/Neuter & TNR

Spaying/neutering pets helps prevent pet overpopulation in our community. Learn more about spay/neutering and our trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to control barn and feral cat populations.

featured
animals
for

adoption

Tilly

Female | 7 yearsTerrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me

Sahara

Female | 11 monthsTerrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me

Rango

Male | 4 yearsTerrier, American Staffordshire
Meet Me

Papi

Male | 2 yearsTerrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me

Mamba

Female | 3 yearsTerrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me

Mae

Female | 5 yearsTerrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me

Brussel

Male | 3 yearsDomestic Shorthair
Meet Me

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

join our pack

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Jarvis (now Kong)???❤

Kong came to WCAS all the way back in August of this year as a stray and was never reclaimed by an owner. After a little over 3 months of eagerly awaiting adoption, Kong was adopted; however, he was retuned after ...just a day in his new home due to him not getting along with the other dog in the home. Thankfully, Kong didn't have to wait long to find a loving home- a week after his return, he was adopted! Everyone here at WCAS is SO happy for Kong and his new family!

Kong's adopter shared these great photos and this wonderful update with us-
🐾We recently adopted “Jarvis” a couple days ago. I wanted to take a minute to share an update with you all on how he is adjusting! We changed his name to Kong as he wasn’t very responsive to “Jarvis” & we felt Kong was more fitting for him!
He loves his Kong but unfortunately he ate thru it! Lol! He lives up to his name! We think he knows his new name now as he listens & responds to it. Kong is such a sweet boy, so playful, so much personality. He’s spunky. He had his first vet appointment & he received so many compliments what a handsome boy he is! He’s spent his days at his new home adjusting to his new life Loving his new bed, toys, bones & treats & all the love we have to give! He really completes our home.
We’re so thankful to adopt from you guys. We love Kong so very much! If I could take every single one of those dogs home I would! 🐾❤️🐾

👉Interested in creating your own adoption story? We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption! We are open for adoptions until 4:30pm today and tomorrow, Saturday, from 11am until 3:30pm!

👉Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org -to complete an adoption questionnaire!

Look who is up front today!

Delta came into our care when she was abandoned in the lobby of a veterinary clinic and was never claimed by her owner. At 3 years old, This sweet girl will happily sit quietly by your side and lend a listening ear. She will look up at you as though he's ...saying, "Come sit down with me and tell me all about your day." A gentle soul, and a loving companion, Delta is content to hang out around the house or take a stroll around the block. After being with WCAS since late September, Delta is loved by all at WCAS, and we are waiting for her one true family to come along and scoop her up.
Could that be you?

👉Interested?
Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org - and take a peek at these animals' adoption profiles for more information, and be sure to complete an Adoption Questionnaire!

🚨LOST DOG🚨
Bella is a female 4-7yr. old pit bull that was last seen on the 5000 block of Linden Road in Rockford on 12/18/2024.

👉Please call Allison at (779) 207-8962 with any information.

🚨LOST CAT🚨
Petunia is a female cat who is less than a year old that went missing on 12/15/2024 on S. Horace Ave. in Rockford, IL. Her owner shared that Petunia is microchipped and registered.

👉Please call Liz at (815) 420-0907 with any information.

✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨

(Our model is Jon Snow A0057329428, who is currently available for adoption at our facility here in Rockford, IL!)

This week, we're in need of the following items:
✨Bleach
✨Laundry Detergent

Donations can be ...dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103

🎉🎉 Last week, Winnebago County Animal Services helped 40 pets find adoptive families! This included 23 cats and 17 dogs!🎉🎉

The BISSELL Pet Foundation Empty the Shelter Holiday Hope Event was a success in helping us find homes for 26 dogs and 44 cats.
This included 6 long ...stay resident cats and 16 long stay resident dogs!

We would like to thank the BISSELL Pet Foundation for sponsoring the adoption event and everyone who participated in our event by adopting!

For more information on adoptable pets, please visit our website at
www.wcasrock.org .

🎥🐾Annemarie purred the whole time during her Pet of the Week segment on WIFR TV 23 with Maggie Polsean.🐾🎥

8 month old Annemarie is a purr-fect cat! This delightful lady will cuddle with you, lay in your lap, and come visit you for pets and playtime. If you are looking for a ...great all around cat that loves everybody, then Annemarie is the one for you! Come see her today at the WCAS! Just one visit and you'll be in love!

If you're interested in adopting, visit our website and complete an adoption questionnaire. www.winnebagoanimals.org

🚨FOUND DOG🚨

On 12/15/2024 this female bulldog mix, estimated to be between 1-3yrs, was found on the 2900 block of Billie Rd in Rockford, IL.

👉This dog is currently being cared for by the finder, who can be reached at (815) 721-0989.

making news