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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
join our pack
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.
👀🚨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 (Friday 2/13) 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!
👉Friday, February 13th's ...Paw-some Pick is Patches A0060044522!
Patches is a 1-year-old, 8-pound sweetheart with a big heart and an even bigger second chance ahead of him.
Patches came to us as an owner surrender when his previous family shared that they were unable to afford his care. When he arrived, our team noticed an issue with his left eye. After evaluation by our veterinary team, it was determined that the best course of action for Patches’ comfort and long-term health was to remove the eye.
Shortly after intake, Patches underwent enucleation surgery — and he did wonderfully! He was closely monitored by our medical team during recovery, and after about a week of healing, he was officially cleared and ready to find his forever home.
Now fully recovered, Patches doesn’t let his one-eyed status slow him down one bit. Cats adapt incredibly well, and Patches is proof that a little resilience goes a long way. He’s ready to get back to what matters most — being loved.
If you’re looking for a young cat with a brave spirit and lots of love to give, come meet Patches and see if he’s the missing piece in your family.🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Whiskey (now Maizee)???❤
Maizee came to WCAS in January as an owner surrender after her previous owner shared they were no longer able to afford her care. Thankfully, her stay with us was short — just a couple of weeks after arriving,... Maizee found her new home and was adopted!
Maizee's adopters reached out and shared this wonderful update and these ADORABLE photos!
🐾Hello, I just wanted to let you know that Whisky…now Maizee has settled in very well. She is still recovering from her respiratory infection but doing so much better. She’s enjoying playing with her new sister, Corn…Corn Maizee. Thank you for all that you do!🐾
👉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
🌟🐾 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, February 12th's ...Paw-some Pick is Calista A0060109800!
Calista is a 2-year-old, 49-pound dog who came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so her full background is unknown. What we have learned during her time here is that she’s a confident girl who knows how to communicate her boundaries.
While in our care, Calista participated in a dog introduction that went well. The other dog was a bit more rambunctious than Calista preferred at first, but after a quick and appropriate correction from Calista, the two dogs were able to settle in and enjoy playing together for the remainder of their time in the yard.
Calista is looking for a home where her personality and communication style are appreciated. The best way to get to know her is to come meet her and see if she’s the right fit for your family!
Interested in meeting Calista? Stop by and spend some time with her — she’d love the chance to show you who she is🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application/
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Babygirl A0059928386❤ who is currently available for adoption & is the Official Pawffice Assistant here at WCAS!
Babygirl is a 2-year-old, 60-pound pup who came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so her ...exact background is unknown—but her personality is already shining through!
While here, Babygirl had a dog introduction with another female dog, and it went great. Both dogs were excited to meet each other, enjoyed some playful wrestling, and then happily walked the play yard together side by side. Babygirl clearly enjoys canine companionship and knows how to have fun while keeping things positive.
Babygirl is now looking for a family to get back to and love forever. Come meet her during our open hours and see if this playful, sweet girl might be the perfect addition to your home!
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Leashes
✨Large Plastic Dog Crates
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103
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.





