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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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‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Gonzo (now Jax)???❤
Jax came to WCAS last week along with his two littermates (Kermit & Ms. Piggy) and were never reclaimed by an owner. No surprise here, this cutie pie kitten was quickly adopted!
Jax's adopter shared... an update with us along with the adorable photos!
🐾I adopted a baby boy kitty named Gonzo after his surgery. All is well and his new name is Jax. He is a beautiful, intelligent kitten! Our 2 yo cat is loving Jax already. Today was a huge day for them both! Thank you. He is adorable🐾
👉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 National Pet Month!🎉
To celebrate, we'll be sharing useful information about pet ownership throughout May!
👉Today's pet ownership focus? The basics of owning Hamsters!
So you're thinking about adopting a hamster, now what? Find out what you need to equip your home with to keep your hamster safe and happy!
winnebagoanimals.org
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Harrison (now Samson)???❤
Samson came to us as a stray in July of 2024 and was never reclaimed by an owner. Thankfully Samson did not have to await adoption for very long, the same day he became ours, he was adopted!
...Samson's adopter shared an update with us along with these heart-warming photos!
🐾I just wanted to finally give an update on Samson (known as Harrison for a few hours on your website when his stray hold went up). Samson has been a great addition to our household. He is a happy, gentle giant that loves walks, car rides, running the yard, relaxing and getting petted. We did a DNA test and he is 58.2% Great Pyrenees, 31.2% German Shepherd, 10.6% Labrador Retriever BUT he is 100% LOVED!!! We adopted him during a Bissell Pet Foundation event that just happened to be going on. 🐾
👉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 Milio – WCAS’s Longest-Staying Resident! 🐶
This playful, toy-loving, people-greeting pup has been at the shelter for over 100 days—but his tail never stops wagging! Milio LOVES other dogs, making new friends, and entertaining himself with toys when he's not out ...adventuring. 💛
He’s also one of the first dogs featured in our exciting new partnership with I Rescued Patisserie & Bakery ! 🧁🐶
They're teaming up with WCAS to help sponsor adoptable pets like Milio, spread awareness, and support our mission—and we’re so grateful and excited! 🎉
Milio is part of our Lonely Hearts Club, and thanks to a generous donor and the WCAS Auxiliary, his adoption fee is only $25!
Ready for kisses, wiggles, and unconditional love?
Come meet Milio at Winnebago County Animal Services today!
📍 And don’t forget to check out I Rescued Patisserie & Bakery on Facebook to learn more about their delicious treats and amazing support of rescue pets!
🎉It's National Pet Month!🎉
To celebrate, throughout the month of May, we'll be sharing useful information about pet ownership!
👉Today's pet ownership focus? The basics of owning Gerbils!
Gerbils make wonderful pets for children and adults alike. Here we share all you need to know to keep them happy and healthy!
winnebagoanimals.org
🌟 Meet Casey – Our Pet of the Week! 🌟
Casey stole the show this morning on Eyewitness News, and now he’s ready to steal your heart 💛
🐶 About Casey:
– 8 years young
– Staff & volunteer favorite
– Walks like a pro on leash 🚶♀️
– Great... with other dogs 🐕
– Good with kids 👧🧒
– Polite, sweet, and SO ready for a forever home 🏡
His previous family sadly had to give him up due to financial struggles. Now, Casey's hoping for a second chance to live out his golden years in a loving home. Could that be with you?
💥 LAST CHANCE: Reduced Adoption Fees END TODAY!
We’re in the final hours of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event!
🐾 Dogs: $50
🐾 Kittens: $50
🐾 Cats: $20
Let’s #EmptyTheShelters together!
📍 Visit today: www.WinnebagoAnimals.org
📸 Tag someone who needs a Casey in their life!
⏳ Last Chance! Reduced Adoption Fees End Tomorrow! 💙🐾
We’re in the final stretch of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event! Don’t miss your chance to find your new best friend at a reduced adoption fee — now through May 15 only!
Adoption Fees:
...🐶 Dogs: $50
🐱 Kittens: $50
🐈 Cats: $20
Meet Kona 🌟
With her soulful brown eyes and calm spirit, Kona is a gentle companion ready to steal your heart. This sweet 5-year-old girl came into our care in early April and was never reclaimed — now she’s patiently waiting for her forever family.
Kona loves quiet time, leisurely walks, and offering a soft ear to listen. She gets along well with other dogs and is adored by everyone at Winnebago County Animal Services.
Could you be the one to give this sweet soul the home she’s been waiting for?
📍 Come meet Kona and more adoptable pets: www.WinnebagoAnimals.org
Let’s find Kona her happy ending — share to help her get home! 💙🏡
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Amelia???❤
Amelia came to WCAS as a stray in late-November of last year and was never reclaimed by an owner. Luckily, Amelia didn't have to wait long for adoption, just a couple of weeks after her arrival this sweet girl went home ...with a perfectly wonderful family!
Amelia's adopter shared an update with us along with the precious photos!
🐾Hello I adopted Amelia from you in December & would like to share an update!
She’s very happy in her new home & gives us hugs every time we walk in the door❤️🐾
👉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!
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.