view our
adoptable
dogs
view our
adoptable
cats
view other
adoptable
animals
Need Answers FAST?
Click here for our Help Center
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
lost
a pet?
found
a stray?
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
join our pack
⭐‼NEW YEAR, NEW BEST FRIEND - $25 dog adoptions continue today and tomorrow at WCAS ‼⭐
Today's pawffice assistant, Butterscotch, is enjoying her day hanging out in the front office! She is ready to welcome everyone to the second day ofour New Year, New Best Friend Adoption ...Event!
Butter up to Butterscotch! 🍬
Butterscotch was dropped off at our back door along with another dog! Unfortunately, she was never claimed. Now, Butterscotch is looking for a forever home. She loves to hang out with her friends, go on walks, chew on toys, and get lots of love! She is good natured, well mannered, and would make a great addition to a family!
Butterscotch has been with WCAS almost 3 months and we are scratching our heads as to why this awesome dog hasn't found his family yet!
👉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!
⭐‼NEW YEAR, NEW BEST FRIEND - $25 dog adoptions continue today and tomorrow at WCAS ‼⭐
6 dogs have been adopted so far but WCAS is still at CAPACITY! We have over 40 dogs who are sending "New Year, New HOME" vibes your way‼️📢
All adoptions include a ...wellness exam, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinations including a one year rabies shot, flea and tick preventative, and more.
⭐️⭐️Many of these pups (like those pictured below) have been waiting far too long to be adopted. Please share so we can get these pups home for 2025‼️⭐️⭐️
** During our New Year, New Best Friend adoption special adopters are still required to complete a standard adoption application as if it were a normal day. Please visit www.winnebagoanimals.org to view pets at Winnebago County Animal Services and complete an adoption questionnaire. Adopters who fill out a questionnaire online and get their approval card, will be the first to view our adoptable animals. Adopter's are encouraged to bring dog(s) currently living in the home to meet prior to adoption. **
🐾‼ Our Eyewitness News Pet of the Week, Bently, helped us spread the word about our New Year, New Best Friend dog adoption special with Meteorologist Joey Marino!🐾‼
🌟$25 dog adoptions start today thru Saturday!🌟
Bently is just about a year old, and weights 46 pounds. ...He is a HAM! This extrovert is excited to meet every new person he can, immediately greeting them excitedly while sneaking in a kiss or two! Despite his young age, Bently has great manners. His enthusiasm and eager personality make him both entertaining and easily trainable.
Could he be the one for you? If you're interested in adopting, visit our website and complete an adoption questionnaire. www.winnebagoanimals.org
🌟 We have 50 dogs who have been looking for a family to call their own since LAST YEAR. When you adopt from WCAS you help us make room for another pet in our community who needs our help!🌟
Make sure to tune into our segment with Eyewitness News on Thursdays around 8:50am.
Check out Bently's live segment with the link below. ⬇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmi2WTnVHCA&t=9s
✨ New Year, New Best Friend! $25 dog adoptions starting tomorrow! WCAS is at CRITICAL DOG CAPACITY!✨
Our dogs’ biggest New Year’s wish? A loving family of their own! 🏡💖 Start growing together in 2025 with a loyal companion by your side.
📢‼️‼️Starting ...Thursday, January 16th, 2025 thru Saturday, January 18th, 2025, WCAS is offering reduced-fee adoptions! All adoption fees will be just $25.00 for dogs at WCAS who have been searching for their forever home since before the New Year. We have around 50 dogs who are sending "New Year, New HOME" vibes your way‼️📢
Make their wish come true and kick off the New Year with unconditional love!
** During our New Year, New Best Friend adoption special adopters are still required to complete a standard adoption application as if it were a normal day. Please visit www.winnebagoanimals.org to view pets at Winnebago County Animal Services and complete an adoption questionnaire. Adopters who fill out a questionnaire online and get their approval card, will be the first to view our adoptable animals. Adopter's are encouraged to bring dog(s) currently living in the home to meet prior to adoption. **
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
(Our model is Oreo A0057522520, who is currently available for adoption at our facility here in Rockford, IL!)
This week, we're in need of the following items:
✨Kongs
✨Wet Dog Food
✨Wet Cat Food
✨Peanut ...Butter
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103
✨ New Year, New Best Friend! $25 dog adoptions!✨
The year has just begun, and WCAS is already at dog capacity.💔
Our dogs’ biggest New Year’s wish? A loving family of their own! 🏡💖 Start growing together in 2025 with a loyal companion by your side.
...📢‼️‼️Starting Thursday, January 16th, 2025 thru Saturday, January 18th, 2025, WCAS is offering reduced-fee adoptions! All adoption fees will be just $25.00 for dogs at WCAS who have been searching for their forever home since before the New Year. We have around 50 dogs who are sending "New Year, New HOME" vibes your way‼️📢
Make their wish come true and kick off the New Year with unconditional love!
** During our New Year, New Best Friend adoption special adopters are still required to complete a standard adoption application as if it were a normal day. Please visit www.winnebagoanimals.org to view pets at Winnebago County Animal Services and complete an adoption questionnaire. Adopters who fill out a questionnaire online and get their approval card, will be the first to view our adoptable animals. Adopter's are encouraged to bring dog(s) currently living in the home to meet prior to adoption. **
Huge thanks to our friends at Julie Weaver - State Farm Agent for hosting a virtual kitten shower for WCAS! 🍼🐱
Can you help us save tiny lives? Every gift gives these vulnerable kittens a second chance!
🎥🐾 Clifford was the best boy for his Pet of the Week segment on WIFR TV 23 this morning.🐾🎥
Meet Clifford, a captivating Bulldog mix with a love for toys and affection. Clifford isn't just sweet; he's also a pro at giving hugs and on the leash. This 5 year old handsome... guy is the perfect companion for someone who appreciates uniqueness and a whole lot of heart. If you're looking for a loving and smushy furry friend, Clifford is your guy.
If you're interested in adopting, visit our website and complete an adoption questionnaire. www.winnebagoanimals.org
Make sure to tune into our segment with WIFR TV 23 on Mondays around 9am.
Check out Clifford's live segment with the link below. ⬇
https://www.wifr.com/2025/01/13/pet-week/
Today's pawffice assistant, Angelo, is snuggling up on this cold day and hanging out with the front desk staff!
Passing on Angelo by would be a big mistake!
This 3 year old bouncy boy has a big heart and a silly side he'd love to show you. Angelo has lots of love to give and... only asks for some lovin' in return! He is happy to be by your side, whether that's on a stroll in a quiet park or on a cozy couch watching TV. Angelo is sure to give his forever family a life of love and laughter. He has been with WCAS since October and is starting to get depressed. He is so deserving of a home and this handsome boy would love to meet 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!
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.