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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?
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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, May 9th's Paw-some ...Pick is Sebastian A0060283749!
Sebastian is a 1-year-old, 36-pound pup who’s ready for a fresh start and a forever home. He recently came into our care due to a change in his previous living situation, and now he’s looking for a safe, stable place where he can truly thrive.
Since being with us, Sebastian has shown just how sweet and social he can be. During a dog introduction here at the shelter, staff noted that he greeted another dog with kisses and handled playtime wonderfully—allowing the other dog to roughhouse while remaining friendly and easygoing.
Sebastian is now looking for a family to call his own and can’t wait to start this next chapter. If you’re ready to open your heart and home, Sebastian would love to meet you!🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application
🎉🐾 Today's Paw-some Pick Has Found a Home! 🐾🎉
We’re SO excited to share that Gracielou Freebush has officially gone home!
❤️We couldn’t be happier to see her start her 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!
👉Tomorrow's Paw-some Pick will be announced later tonight, so be sure to keep an eye out!!!
Keep following along and continue spreading the word — you never know which Paw-some Pick might be the next to find their forever home! 🏡
📣‼️ $50 Dogs, $50 Kittens & $10 Adult Cat Adoptions Start TODAY through May 15th thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation! ‼️📣
Looking to add a furry family member to your home? Now is the perfect time to adopt and make a lifesaving difference! ❤️
🐶 Select dogs ...— $50 adoption fee
🐱 Kittens — $50 adoption fee
🐈 Adult cats — just $10 adoption fee
The BISSELL Pet Foundation will be sponsoring the remaining adoption costs to help more pets find loving homes during their #EmptyTheShelters event!
These amazing pets are ready for second chances, cozy beds, and families to call their own. Take a peek below at just a few of the adoptable pets available during this special event with reduced adoption fees!
👉 Visit www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view available pets and complete an adoption questionnaire.
👉 Adopters who complete a questionnaire online will receive priority viewing of adoptable animals.
📍 Shelter Hours:
Monday–Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Please note:
• All adopters must still complete our standard adoption process.
• Pets already available for pre-select adoption do not qualify for this event.
Help us Empty the Shelters and give these deserving pets the loving homes they’ve been waiting for! 🐾
🌟🐾 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, May 8th's Paw-some ...Pick is Gracielou Freebush A0060801760!
GracieLou Freebush is a 3-year-old pup weighing 37 pounds who came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed, so her past remains a bit of a mystery. What we do know is that she’s been showing us a fun, friendly personality during her time here - she's one in a million!
While in our care, GracieLou participated in a dog introduction with another female dog. Staff noted that she was excited, social, and ready to play. The two dogs spent their time running around the play yard together, clearly enjoying each other’s company. With her sparkling personality - we'd definitely give GracieLou the Miss Congeniality Award!
GracieLou Freebush is looking for a family who will take the time to get to know her and give her the chance to settle in and shine. She has a playful spirit and would love a home where she can stay active and engaged.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
📣‼️ $50 Dogs, $50 Kittens & $10 Adult Cat Adoptions Start TOMORROW Thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation! ‼️📣
Winnebago County Animal Services is excited to participate in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s #EmptyTheShelters adoption event beginning tomorrow, May 8th through May ...15th! 🐾
During this special event:
🐶 Select dogs – $50 adoption fee
🐱 Kittens – $50 adoption fee
🐈 Adult cats – just $10 adoption fee
The BISSELL Pet Foundation will be sponsoring the remaining adoption costs to help more pets find loving homes!
If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry family member to your home, now is the perfect time to adopt and make a lifesaving difference. These amazing pets are ready for second chances, cozy beds, and families to call their own. ❤️
Take a look below at just a few of our adoptable pets with reduced adoption fees!
👉 Visit www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view available pets and complete an adoption questionnaire.
👉 Adopters who complete a questionnaire online will receive priority viewing of adoptable animals.
👉 Shelter hours:
Monday–Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
👉 During #EmptyTheShelters, all adopters must still complete our standard adoption process.
Please note: Pets already available for pre-select adoption do not qualify for this event.
👀🚨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 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 (Thursday 5/7) 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!
👉Thursday, May 7th's Paw-some ...Pick is Tala A0048668377!
Tala is a 6-year, 7-month-old pup weighing 74 pounds who is no stranger to WCAS. Since September 2021, she has come through our doors three times as a stray. On her previous visits, Tala was quickly reunited with her owner—but this time, she was not reclaimed.
Since being back in our care, Tala has shown us what a well-rounded and social dog she can be. She participated in a dog introduction with another shelter dog, where staff noted she was interested and friendly. She communicated appropriately and gave corrections when needed, showing good canine manners.
Tala is now ready for a fresh start and a family she can truly call her own. She’s looking for a home where she can settle in, feel secure, and share her companionship for years to come.
If you’re looking for a confident, social dog with a lot of love to give, Tala would love to meet you.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application
🌟Meet Bear!🌟
Bear is a 6-year-old, 76-pound lovable guy who’s ready to start his next chapter. He came to us as a surrender due to a decline in his owner’s health—through no fault of his own.
Since arriving, Bear has shown us that age is just a number! He’s a vocal, ...high-energy pup who still has plenty of playful spirit. During a dog introduction with another male dog, Bear did great—once in the play yard, the two spent their time zooming around and roughhousing together. Staff also noted that Bear has excellent recall, especially when playtime starts to get a little too rowdy.
Bear is looking for a family who can match his energy, provide structure, and give him the love he deserves. He’s ready to bring fun, personality, and companionship into his forever home.
Come meet Bear during our open hours and see if he’s the perfect fit for your family. He can’t wait to meet you!
Want to have your adoption application on file before you come? You can fill out an adoption application today right through our website!
#rescuedog #shelterdog #adoptdontshop
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.