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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
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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.
featured
animals
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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!
👉Thursday, June 11th's ...Paw-some Pick is Reese A0060893900!
Reese is a 2-year-old female cat weighing approximately 10 pounds who came to WCAS as a stray. Unfortunately, no owner came forward to reclaim her, so much of her past remains a mystery. While we may not know where Reese came from, we do know that she is ready to start the next chapter of her life with a loving family of her own.
Because her background is unknown, the best way to get to know Reese is to come meet her in person! Spend some time with her, learn about her personality, and see if she might be the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.
Reese is eager to meet potential adopters and begin her new adventure. Stop by the shelter during our open hours to meet Reese and the many other wonderful pets waiting to find their forever homes.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
😻 Check out the new arrivals available for adoption at the E. State St. Rockford PetSmart! 😻
We currently have three friendly felines looking for loving homes and being cared for by the wonderful PetSmart staff — meet Minks, Binx, and Sevyn!
These sweethearts are ready to ...trade shelter life for a cozy couch and a family to call their own. Could that be with you?
Interested in adopting from our E. State St. Rockford PetSmart location?
Here’s how:
☑️ Fill out an adoption application on our website: https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
☑️ Call the E. State St. location to check the adoption status of the pet, ask when they are available for visits, or schedule a meet-and-greet appointment.
☑️ Be patient — meet-and-greets are by appointment. If the cat you had your heart set on has already been adopted, don’t give up hope! We have many wonderful cats at our WCAS location still searching for homes, and more will be heading to PetSmart as space opens up.
For more information, visit: www.winnebagoanimals.org
👀🚨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 6/10) 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.
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Rook A0060797664❤ who is currently available for adoption here at WCAS!
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! Due to their long time search for a forever home they’re part of the "Lonely Hearts Club" meaning half of their adoption fee has been covered by the WCAS Auxiliary!
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Dish Gloves
✨Dish Sponges
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 10th's ...Paw-some Pick is Pepper A0060992069!
Pepper is a petite 2-year-old cat weighing just 7 pounds, and she's ready to find a loving forever home.
Pepper came to us as a surrender after being involved in a bite incident in the home. At the time, Pepper was caring for a litter of kittens and, on a couple of occasions, bit her owner while protecting her babies. After completing her required bite quarantine here at WCAS, our team got to know Pepper better and determined that she is an adoption candidate ready for a fresh start.
It's no surprise that Pepper took her job as a mom seriously—many animal mothers become especially protective while caring for their young. Now that her kittens are grown and that chapter of her life is behind her, Pepper is ready to focus on being someone's beloved companion.
Pepper is looking for a family to get back to and love forever. If you're willing to give this devoted little girl a chance, you may just find that beneath her mama-bear instincts is a cat with plenty of love to give.
She can’t wait to meet you, so stop by the shelter during our open hours to meet Pepper and the other pets waiting for their second chance at a forever home. 🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
🐔❤️ Double the feathers, double the fun! ❤️🐔
Meet Hen-nah Montana and Kenny Roosters, an adorable bonded chicken duo looking for a place to call home!
These two arrived at WCAS as strays but appear to be in great shape and have quickly won us over with their friendly... personalities. Kenny takes his job as protector seriously and is always keeping a watchful eye on his girl, Hen-nah Montana. Meanwhile, Hen-nah has been settling right in, and has even rewarded us with multiple eggs during her stay!
This pair would love a safe outdoor enclosure where they can scratch, peck, explore, and enjoy life together while staying protected from predators. If you're looking to add some feathered friends to your flock, Kenny and Hen-nah Montana may be the perfect match.
Come meet this charming couple and see if they're the newest members of your family! 🥚🐓💛
👉 Interested in adopting? Visit our website and complete an Adoption Questionnaire to learn more.
www.winnebagoanimals.org
💙 Senior Cat Spotlight: Simon 💙
10-year-old Simon recently found himself at WCAS after his owner had to move and was no longer allowed to keep pets. After spending his entire life in one home, adjusting to shelter life has been incredibly difficult for him.
When Simon first ...arrived, he would retreat to the back of his cage and hide in his litterbox, hoping the world would simply pass him by. He hasn't been mean or aggressive—just heartbroken, confused, and overwhelmed by all the changes around him.
The good news? Simon is starting to show us glimpses of the sweet cat he truly is. He especially enjoys gentle ear rubs and is beginning to trust the people caring for him. What he really needs now is a quiet home, a safe space to decompress, and a patient family willing to let him settle in at his own pace.
Senior cats like Simon often get overlooked, but they have so much love left to give. He deserves to spend his golden years in a home, not a shelter.
Could you be the person who gives Simon the second chance he's waiting for? 🐾❤️
💛 10-year-old Simon is part of our Golden Whiskers squad! Pets 8 years and older at WCAS have ½ of their adoption fee sponsored by the WCAS Auxiliary!
👉 Interested?
Visit our website – www.WinnebagoAnimals.org – to view Simon's adoption profile and learn more about him. Be sure to complete an Adoption Questionnaire if you think Simon could be the perfect addition to your family!
Please share to help Simon find the loving home he deserves. 🐱💙
🌟🐾 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 9th's Paw-some ...Pick is Lizzie A0060967448!
Lizzie is a 2-year-old pup weighing 54 pounds who is ready to find a loving forever home. Lizzie came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed by an owner, so her exact background is unknown. What we do know is that this happy-go-lucky girl has quickly become a staff favorite! With her youthful face and playful spirit, Lizzie has the look of a "forever puppy"—the kind of dog that never quite seems to grow up.
During her time at WCAS, Lizzie completed a dog intro with another dog here at the shelter. Staff noted that the pair were instant friends, greeting each other with playful bows before taking off to run and romp around the play yard together.
In fact, Lizzie is one of our team's go-to temperament test dogs because of her friendly, easygoing personality. She seems to get along with just about everyone she meets and is always ready to make a new friend—whether they have two legs or four!
Help us get to know Lizzie by meeting with her and seeing if she could be the right fit for your family. If you're looking for a playful, social companion with a heart full of love and the adorable look of a forever puppy, Lizzie may be your perfect match.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
👀🚨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 (Monday 6/8) until 7pm.
👉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.
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.







