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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

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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🎉🐾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! 🏡

🌟🐾 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!

👉Tuesday, November 3rd's ...Paw-some Pick is Barrett A0061863743!

Barrett is a handsome 5-year-old, 7-pound gentleman who's ready to leave shelter life behind and find a comfortable place to call his own.

Barrett came to WCAS as a stray and was never reclaimed. While we may not know what his life looked like before arriving at the shelter, we do know that this guy deserves the chance to enjoy the comforts of a home and the companionship of a family who will cherish him.

At 5 years old, Barrett is a wonderful age for someone looking to welcome an adult cat into their life. He's past the kitten stage but still has plenty of years ahead of him to enjoy all the little things that make life special—from cozy places to nap to sunny spots by the window.

Sometimes, the best companions are the ones who simply make a house feel more like home. Barrett is hoping to find someone who will appreciate having a feline friend around and give him the opportunity to settle into a life filled with comfort and care.

If you're looking for a handsome companion to share your home and everyday moments, Barrett might just be the perfect addition to your family!🐱🐶✨

🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati

🌟🐾 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!

👉Monday, November 2nd's ...Paw-some Pick is Pumpkin Spice Latte A0061851508 !

Meet Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Pumpkin Spice Latte is a sweet 4-year-old, 5-pound girl who's ready to bring a little warmth and sweetness into someone's life!

Pumpkin Spice Latte came to WCAS as a stray and was never reclaimed. While we don't know much about her life before arriving at the shelter, we do know that this petite girl deserves the chance to enjoy all the comforts of a loving home.

At 4 years old, Pumpkin Spice Latte is a wonderful age for someone looking to welcome an adult feline into their family. She's past the busy kitten stage and has plenty of time ahead of her to enjoy cozy afternoons, sunny windowsills, and all the little luxuries that come with being someone's cherished companion.

Sometimes the best things in life come in small packages, and at just 5 pounds, Pumpkin Spice Latte certainly fits the bill! She's hoping to find a home where she can settle in, enjoy the good things in life, and be appreciated for the special little cat she is.

If you're looking to add a little sweetness to your everyday routine, Pumpkin Spice Latte might just be the perfect blend. She's ready to trade shelter life for a forever spot on your couch!🐱🐶✨

🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati

🌟🐾 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!

👉Saturday, October 31st's ...Paw-some Pick is Lollipop A0061794157!

Looking for a little sweetness in your life? Meet Lollipop, a 3-year-old, 6-pound girl who recently came into our care as part of a larger group of cats. Now, this petite sweetheart is ready for a fresh start and a family to call her own!

Lollipop is hoping to find a forever home where she can settle in, be loved, and start her next chapter with a family of her very own. Could this little treat be the perfect addition to your home?🐱🐶✨

🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Ella???❤

Ella's adopter reached out and shared these wonderful photos & this cute update with us!
🐾Updates on Ella. She is the sweetest girl and so silly! She loves her new brother and is very crazy🐾

...👉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

🌟🐾 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, October 30th's ...Paw-some Pick is Baby Ruth A0061794156!

Sweet as her name, Baby Ruth is a 4-year-old, 7-pound girl who recently came into our care as part of a larger group of cats. Now, this little lady is ready for a fresh start and a family to call her own!

Baby Ruth is looking for a home where she can settle in, be loved, and spend the rest of her days with her forever family. Could you be the one to give this sweet girl the happy ending she deserves?🐱🐶✨

🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Earl Gray (now Noodle)???❤

Noodle first came to WCAS in mid-August as a stray alongside his mom and littermates. The kittens were old enough to skip the foster stage and were made available for adoption soon after arriving.

...Lucky for Noodle, he didn't have to spend long waiting for his next chapter! Just a little over a week after arriving at the shelter, this little guy found his match and headed home with his new family. ❤

From stray kitten to beloved family member in just over a week—that's the kind of happy tail we love to see! Here's to a lifetime of cuddles, comfort, and plenty of love for Noodle. ❤️

Noodle's adopter shared these wonderful photos & this amazing update with us!
🐾With Halloween coming up, we wanted to let you know that Noodle (formally Earl Gray) is safe and sound and loved! He is perfect for our family and our older cat is much happier with him in the house!🐾

👉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

🎃🐾 JONNY IS READY FOR HIS PUMPKIN ERA! 🎃

Jonny has decided he wants to be a pumpkin for Halloween, and we think he absolutely nailed the look! 🧡 He made his costumed debut this morning on Eyewitness News with Meteorologist Joey Marino!

Jonny came to WCAS in early ...September as a stray and has quickly become a staff and volunteer favorite. This handsome guy has impeccable manners and patiently waits at his kennel to be leashed up before heading out. He’s great with other dogs and even helps our kennel team when evaluating canine friends. Add in his adorable head tilts, and it’s easy to see why everyone loves him! 🥹🐶

🎃 Ready to make Jonny's Halloween wish come true? His next costume could be a new collar in his forever home! 🏡❤️

📍 Fill out an adoption application at www.winnebagoanimals.org and come meet this handsome pumpkin today!

🌟🐾 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, October 29th's ...Paw-some Pick is Starburst A0061792604!

Looking for a little sweetness and color in your life? Meet Starburst, a 6-year-old, 8-pound girl who recently came into WCAS’s care as part of a larger group of cats.

Now, Starburst is ready for a fresh start and a family to call her own. She’s hoping to find a loving home where she can settle in and be cherished for years to come. Could this sweet girl be the bright spot your family has been looking for?

Stop by the shelter during our open hours to meet Starburst and the other pets waiting for their forever homes! Want to have your adoption application on file before you come? You can fill out an adoption application today right through our website!🐱🐶✨

🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati

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