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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
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
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🌟🐾 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, June 27th's ...Paw-some Pick is Lolli A0055258846!
At 4 years old and 63 pounds, Lolli is a sweet, playful girl who is hoping her next adoption will truly be forever.
Lolli first came to WCAS as a stray in February 2024 and was never reclaimed by an owner. After spending a few months in our care, she found a home and was adopted. Unfortunately, two years later, Lolli found herself back at WCAS once again as a stray. Despite efforts to reunite her with her adopter, no one came forward to reclaim her.
Through all of life's unexpected turns, Lolli has remained a friendly and social dog. Since returning to the shelter, she successfully completed a dog introduction with another dog. Staff noted that both dogs were excited to meet one another and quickly initiated play, enjoying a fun and positive interaction together.
Lolli is ready to leave shelter life behind and find a family that will love her through all of life's chapters. She has already experienced the heartbreak of losing a home twice, but she hasn't lost her hopeful spirit. With her playful personality and affectionate nature, Lolli is ready to be someone's loyal companion once again.
If you're looking for a dog who is eager to share adventures, playtime, and plenty of love, come meet Lolli. She can't wait to find the family she's been waiting for and start her happily-ever-after.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
🎆 Protect your pets and help keep them safe this 4th of July! 🎆
Fourth of July fireworks may be mesmerizing for us, but they can be terrifying for our animal companions. In fact, more pets go missing around Independence Day than any other time of the year as pets run to escape the ...bright lights and unpredictable booms.
Take these steps to minimize the fear and keep your pets safe.
For more information on lost/found pets visit our website at www.winnebagoanimals.org .
🌟🐾 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, June 26th's Paw-some ...Pick is Sprecker A0060873906!
Sprecker is a 1-year-old pup weighing 50 pounds who is ready to find a forever family of his own! Sprecker came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so his exact background is unknown. What we do know is that this young guy is full of energy and loves to play.
While in our care, Sprecker participated in a dog intro with another dog here at the shelter. Staff noted that Sprecker came on a little strong at first due to his high-energy personality, but he did not display any inappropriate behavior. Once the two dogs got going, they spent their time playing, roughhousing, and having a blast together in the play yard.
Sprecker is looking for a family that can help channel his playful energy while giving him the love, guidance, and fun he deserves. Help us get to know Sprecker by meeting with him and seeing if he could be the right fit for 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!
👉Thursday, June 25th's ...Paw-some Pick is Scoots A0060985352!
At 4 years old and 13 pounds, Scoots has already overcome quite a bit and is now ready to find a home of his own.
When Scoots arrived at the shelter as a stray in mid-May, our medical team discovered that he had superficial wounds across his body. To help him heal, staff developed a treatment plan and closely monitored his progress over the following weeks. Thanks to the dedication of our medical team and Scoots' resilience, he has made a full recovery and has been medically cleared for adoption.
Because Scoots came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, much of his past remains a mystery. What we do know is that he's a survivor who deserves the chance to experience the comfort, safety, and love of a forever home.
Now that his healing journey is behind him, Scoots is ready to start the next chapter of his life. The best way to get to know him is to come meet him in person and see if he's the right fit for your family. Every cat has a unique personality, and Scoots is eager to show you his.
Help Scoots trade shelter life for a place to call home. He can't wait to meet you! Stop by during our open hours and meet Scoots and the many other pets waiting for their second chance.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
👀🚨Do you know any of these dogs?🚨👀
Can you help us find their families? Each animal's Intake Date & Location Found is include in their photo's caption.
👉If you believe one of these dogs is yours, please call us at 815-319-4100 and one of our call ...takers can speak with you about next steps OR stop by our facility.
👉We're open today (Wednesday 6/24) until 5pm.
👉Some of these dogs are available for preselect adoption, which means that although the dog is still on their stray hold period and awaiting reclaim by their owner, an interested adopter is able to complete an adoption application and pay the fee to pre-select the animal for adoption. If the dog is not reclaimed, the adoption is finalized and the dog can go home as soon as they're spayed/neutered.
🚨UPDATE🚨 - Midnight was adopted!!!
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Midnight A0060041406❤ who is currently available for adoption here at WCAS!
Midnight is a beautiful 1-year-old, 5-month-old pup weighing 47 pounds who is ready to find... a loving forever home.
Midnight came to us as an owner surrender after her previous owner shared that they had too many pets and could no longer care for her. When Midnight first arrived at WCAS, she was understandably nervous and unsure of her new surroundings. Our team gave her the time, patience, and space she needed to decompress, and we've loved watching her confidence grow more each day.
As she's settled in, Midnight's playful side has started to shine! She recently completed a dog intro with another female dog here at the shelter and did great. Staff noted that Midnight was very interested in playing and enjoyed spending time with her new canine friend.
Midnight is now looking for a family who will continue to help her blossom and show her that the world isn't such a scary place after all. With a little patience and a lot of love, we think this sweet girl will make a wonderful companion.
If you think Midnight could be the right fit for your family, come meet her during our open hours and see for yourself just how special she is. She can't wait to start her next chapter with a family to call her own.
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Leashes
✨Wet Dog Food
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 6110
🌟🐾 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!
👉Wednesday, June 24th's ...Paw-some Pick is Gilbert A0060833380!
Gilbert is a 6-year-old cat weighing 10 pounds who is ready to find a loving forever home. Gilbert came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so his exact background is unknown. When he first arrived, Gilbert had a bit of a crusty face, but he’s healing up nicely and feeling better every day!
Now that he’s on the mend, Gilbert is ready for a fresh start with a family who will give him the love and care he deserves. Help us get to know Gilbert by meeting with him and seeing if he could be the right fit for your family.
Gilbert can’t wait to meet you, so stop by the shelter during our open hours to meet him and the other pets waiting for their second chance at a forever home.🐱🐶✨
🖱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!
👉Tuesday, June 23rd's Paw-some... Pick is Cloud A0060965914!
At 4 years old and 10 pounds, Cloud is hoping his next home will be his forever one.
Cloud came to the shelter after his owner was no longer able to provide housing for him. While this change has been difficult, Cloud is ready to start a new chapter with a family who can offer him the stability, comfort, and love he deserves.
Cloud is ready to settle into a home where he can relax and enjoy the simple things in life—sunny windows, cozy naps, tasty treats, and spending time with his favorite people. With plenty of love left to give, Cloud is looking for someone who will welcome him into their heart and home.
If you're searching for a handsome companion to share your days with, Cloud may be the perfect addition to your family. Stop by and meet him today!🐱🐶✨
🖱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, June 22nd's Paw-some ...Pick is Rook A0060797664!
Rook is a 6-year-old, 65-pound pup who came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so his past remains a bit of a mystery. What we do know, though, is that Rook has been making a great impression during his time with us!
While in our care, Rook participated in a dog-to-dog introduction with another shelter dog. Staff noted that he was very interested, friendly, and full of energy—showing us that he enjoys social interactions and could make a great companion.
Rook is looking for a family who will take the time to get to know him and give him the chance to show off his personality. The best way to see if he’s the right fit is to come meet him in person! 🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicati
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.






