Winnebago County Animal Services understands that there are a number of reasons people surrender a pet such as moving, allergies, behavior issues, major life event, and it is a difficult decision to give up a pet.
We want to help you keep your pet, so please read the Pet Retention Resources below before making the decision to release your pet to Winnebago County Animal Services.
If your pet is having house soiling issues or a change in behavior, please have your pet examined by a veterinarian to rule out any health related issues.
Before releasing your pet, consider finding your pet a home with a family member, friend, neighbor, or another shelter. However, be sure your pet is going into safe environment where it will get consistent vet care, nutritional food, fresh water daily, plenty of exercise and training, and appropriate housing (preferably as an indoor pet).
If you adopted the cat or dog from another shelter, please contact that shelter first and return the pet to them.
If you adopted the cat or dog from Winnebago County Animal Services, you can always return the pet if the adoption doesn’t work out for your family. Be sure to give the animal plenty of time to adjust to your home and family. Adoption fees are not refundable.
We are currently using a managed intake model of animal sheltering, so you must make an appointment to owner surrender your pet to Winnebago County Animal Services. Please call 815-319-4100 and press 1 for a customer service representative during the hours of 8:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The customer services representative will discuss your particular situation and may offer alternatives to releasing your pet before scheduling an appointment.
When surrendering a pet to Winnebago County Animal Services:
- The person surrendering the pet must be the registered or microchipped owner
- Bring a State-issued photo ID
- The owner will be required to pay an owner surrender fee to WCAS (checks not accepted)
- The owner must read and sign the WCAS owner surrender form
- The owner will be asked to complete a personality profile to assist WCAS staff in evaluating the pet’s behavior for adoption consideration
- Understand that Winnebago County Animal Services does not guarantee adoption
Pet Resources
Need to re-home your ferret, rabbit, or guinea pig?
Please contact one of the resources below:
- Critter Camp at http://crittercamp.weebly.com/ (takes ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs)
- On Angel’s Wings at https://www.onangelswings.org/ (takes guinea pigs, birds, hamsters)
Pet Retention Assistance
- www.wecareforpets.org 779-208-4060
Food/Supplies
Pet Resale Shop – 3702 North Main Street, Rockford, IL
Housing Resources
- Pet Friendly Landlords
- http://www.zillow.com/winnebago-county-il/pet-friendly/
- http://www.trulia.com/for_rent/Rockford,IL/cats,sm_dogs,other,lg_dogs_pets/map_v
- https://hotpads.com/rockford-il/apartments-for-rent?pets=cats-dogs
Dog Training Resources
- Forest City Training
- B & B Canine & Company,
- Canine to 5,
- Miss Cristy’s Canine Academy
Animal Services does not necessarily endorse or recommend any training facility or another, but encourages pet owners to use positive reinforcement and force free training).
Spay Neuter Resources
Animal Services offers spay neuter vouchers for low-income residents of Winnebago County…learn more about our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program
Other Spay Neuter Programs
- www.spayme.com
- www.spayillinois.org
- www.pawshs.org
- www.wecareforpets.org 779-208-4060
- Stateline Spay/Neuter & Education Fund 815-569-2642
Home Safety Guides
- http://www.expertise.com/home-and-garden/pet-safety-guide
- http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/shelter-health-poison-control/17-plants-poisonous-pets
- http://aspcapro.org/animal-poison-control-center
New Baby
Be sure to consider your pet when bringing home a new baby. Check out these resources:
- http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies
- https://positively.com/articles/how-to-safely-introduce-your-dog-to-your-new-baby/
- http://www.doggonesafe.com/baby_safety_around_dogs
Costs of Owning a Pet
Remember to consider the costs that come when you bring a new pet into the household.
- http://www.thesimpledollar.com/pet-cost-calculator/
- http://www.thesimpledollar.com/pet-cost-calculator/#pet-cost-calculator
Emergency Pet Foster Home of Military Personnel & Hospital Patients
PACT began in 2011 and is the only 501(c)(3) that provides life-saving, emergency foster care for the companion animals of military personnel and hospital patients. All of PACT’s services are free of charge. PACT relies solely on donation’s and volunteers to care for companion anmals until they can be reunited with their owners.
Pactforanimals.org | info@pactforanimals.org | 610-581-4141
Northern Illinois Hospice Pet Peace of Mind Program
The Northern Illinois Hospice Pet Peace of Mind program offers services necessary to keep patients and their pets together throughout the end of life journey.