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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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✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Minty A0060255694❤ who is currently available for adoption here at WCAS!
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Kitten Wet Food
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered ...& shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103
🌟🐾 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, February 18th's ...Paw-some Pick is Turbo A0060156963!
Turbo came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so his early history is unknown. During his time in our care, Turbo was involved in a bite incident- upon his return, he bit a staff member while being removed from his carrier on our transport van.
Turbo completed his required bite quarantine here at WCAS. Following that period, our team spent additional time working with and evaluating him. Based on his behavior and progress, he has been deemed an appropriate candidate for adoption.
Turbo is young and will benefit from a patient, committed family who can provide structure, guidance, and positive reinforcement training as he continues to mature. Like many puppies, he’s still learning how to navigate the world and will need consistency to help him grow into a confident adult dog.🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
🌟 Star Shines on TV! 🌟
We are so excited to share that Star was WIFR TV's Pet of the Week and even got his own video segment ! ⭐📺 What a star he truly is!
Two-year-old Star came to Winnebago County Animal Services (WCAS) after officers responded to a welfare call ...involving a large number of cats in a home. While Star was healthy and well cared for, he was surrendered due to the overwhelming number of cats in the household.
When Star first arrived at the shelter, he struggled in the kennel environment. He would hide and seemed scared when approached. Shelter life can be overwhelming, and every pet handles that transition differently. But once staff spent some one-on-one time with him in a quiet room, we discovered something amazing…
After just a few minutes, Star transforms! 💫 He approaches for pets, happily accepts treats, and makes friends with ease. He simply needed a little patience and a different approach to let his personality shine.
Star is currently WCAS’s longest-staying cat resident and has absolutely become a staff favorite. ❤️ We believe he would do wonderfully in a home with another cat (or cats!), since that’s what he’s used to and comfortable with.
Every pet is an individual, and Star is proof that sometimes the shy ones just need a little extra understanding.
Could Star be the one for you? 🐾✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
👀🚨Do you know any of these dogs?🚨👀
We would love to reunite these dogs with their families!
Can you help us find their families? Each animal's Intake Date & Location Found is included 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 are open today (Tuesday 2/17) 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.
🌟🐾 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, February 17th's ...Paw-some Pick is Champion A0060153528!
At just 1 year old and 64 pounds, Champion is a young, fun-loving guy with so much potential.
Champion came to us as a stray and, unfortunately, was never reclaimed — so his full story before arriving at WCAS is a bit of a mystery. What we do know is that he’s ready to start his next chapter.
While in our care, Champion participated in a dog introduction — and it went great! Both dogs happily initiated play and spent their time together running and romping around the play yard. He showed us that he enjoys canine companionship and knows how to have a good time with a buddy.
Champion is still young, full of energy, and would love a family ready to help guide him as he continues to grow into the amazing dog we know he can be.
If you’re looking for an active, playful companion to add to your team, come meet Champion and see if he’s the perfect fit for your home! 🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
Winnebago County Animal Services is closed today, Monday, February 16th, in observance of President's Day.
We will re-open tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th at 11am.
👉Be sure to visit our website, www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view the pets currently available for ...adoption!
👉If you need assistance from Winnebago County Animal Services, please call 815-319-4100 and listen for instructions to leave a message for the officer on duty.

Pet adoptions, pet licensing and registration, veterinary care to animals in need, animal welfare and cruelty investigations, and more.
www.winnebagoanimals.orgWinnebago County Animal Services will be closed tomorrow, Monday, February 16th, in observance of President's Day. We will re-open on Tuesday, February 17th at 11am.
👉Be sure to visit our website, www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view the pets currently available for adoption!
...
👉If you need assistance from Winnebago County Animal Services, please call 815-319-4100 and listen for instructions to leave a message for the officer on duty.

Pet adoptions, pet licensing and registration, veterinary care to animals in need, animal welfare and cruelty investigations, and more.
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!
👉Saturday, February 14th's ...Paw-some Pick is Arthur A0060119577!
Arthur is an 8-year-old, 72-pound dog who came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so his full history is unknown. What we have learned during his time here is that Arthur is a social and adaptable guy.
Arthur recently completed a dog introduction with another male dog, and it went very well! While Arthur is typically a bit more high energy, staff noted that he adjusted his pace to match the other dog’s more laid-back demeanor. During their time together, the two dogs spent the entire introduction calmly side by side, enjoying each other’s company.
Arthur is looking for a home where he can continue to thrive and show off his easygoing nature. If you’re searching for a dog who can adapt, connect, and be a great companion, Arthur would love to meet you.🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
🐾🎉2025 was another busy and impactful year!🎉🐾
A total of 5,644 animals came through our doors - 2,168 dogs (4% increase from 2024), 2,939 cats (2% increase from 2024), and 94 small animals (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chicken and fish).
We celebrated 750 dog ...adoptions and 1,423 cat adoptions, with 25% of cat adoptions being completed at PetSmart Adoption Center locations.
Additionally, we relied on the support of our valued rescue partners. 237 dogs were transferred to rescue organizations in 2025 (15% increase from 2024), and cat transfers to rescue groups increased by 19%, with 794 cats finding placement in 2025.
There’s always more work to do, but 2025 was a year of meaningful progress. We’re excited to continue making a difference in 2026—helping more animals, supporting our community, and enhancing our services for Winnebago County.
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.





