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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.
learn more about what we do
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
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a stray?
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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.
Pet Registration
Pet registration is required by law and a great way to help your pet get back home if they become lost. Plus, these fees fund our services.
Animal Welfare & Investigations
Our team investigates animal welfare and safety concerns. We also offer outreach and education about responsible pet ownership.
Vaccinations & Rabies Control
Regular vaccination is required for all cats and dogs and helps keep our pets and community healthy. Our team investigates bite incidents to prevent the spread of the rabies virus.
Spay/Neuter & TNR
Spaying/neutering pets helps prevent pet overpopulation in our community. Learn more about spay/neutering and our trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to control barn and feral cat populations.
featured
animals
for
adoption
find your perfect pet
Sebastian
Male
1 year
Terrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me
Sanara
Female
5 years
Terrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me
Rajah
Male
3 years
Terrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me
Queen
Female
5 years
Terrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me
Mrs. Potts
Female
3 years
Terrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me
Benzo
Male
2 years
Terrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me
BEAR
Male
6 years
Terrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me
Angel
Female
2 years
Terrier
Meet Me
Tucci
Male
3 years
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
Trixie
Female
8 months
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
Tanner
Male
2 years
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
Luna
Female
2 years
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
Lily
Female
3 years
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
Dill
Male
6 years
Domestic Shorthair
Meet Me
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.
learn more about adoption
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.
learn more about fostering
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Winnebago County Animal Services
13 hours ago
Lightbox link for post with description 🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟...
🌟🐾 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, April 24th's Paw-some
...
Pick is Rajah A0060283821!
Rajah is a 3-year-old, 31-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, Rajah has been showing us his gentle and thoughtful personality. During a dog introduction here at the shelter, staff noted that he was a bit nervous at first, but he worked through it and approached the other dog for interaction. The two spent their time calmly walking around the play yard together and exploring their surroundings side by side.
Rajah is now looking for a family who will give him the time, patience, and encouragement he needs to continue building confidence and settling into home life.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application
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Winnebago County Animal Services
19 hours ago
Lightbox link for post with description ‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember...
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Violet???❤
Violet was no stranger to WCAS - on Christmas Day of last year, Violet entered our care for the fourth time since May of 2018. During her first visit as a stray, she was never reclaimed; however, she was adopted after a month
...
with us. The next two visits as a stray, she was quickly reclaimed by her owner, but during her last visit her owner never showed up to take Violet home. Violet patiently awaited adoption and in early-February of this year, this sweet senior girl found her forever home! And, we must say, Violet is a pretty lucky gal!
Violet's adopter reached out to share this wonderful update and these great photos!
🐾This is late in coming… just wanted to let you all know Violet is doing great!!! What a beautiful girl!!
She had no problem settling in and getting comfortable ❤️ We love her so much!!
The goats she is visiting with are her new farm friends… although she likes the chickens way more!!
We have a 9 acre farm… That she enjoys sitting in the backyard and overseeing❤️ Violet has been a lovely addition to our family… Although the cat does not agree😆
Thank you again for this beautiful girl!!🐾
👉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.go
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Winnebago County Animal Services
20 hours ago
Lightbox link for post with description 🐾 Eyewitness News Pet of the Week with...
🐾 Eyewitness News Pet of the Week with Meteorologist Joey Marino: Meet Snow! 🐾
Say hello to Snow, a 6-month-old pup with a heart as soft as her name! ❄️ This sweet girl came to us after a couple of bite incidents in her previous home involving young children and rough play.
...
It’s important to note that even a small break in the skin is considered a bite, and in Snow’s case, her sharp puppy teeth and overstimulation during play seem to have been the cause.
After completing her required quarantine here at WCAS, Snow was never reclaimed—but it gave us the chance to really get to know her.
And here’s what we’ve learned: Snow is an incredibly loving, smart, and playful puppy who just needed guidance and appropriate play boundaries. Like many young pups, she can get a little mouthy when play gets too exciting—but she responds well to correction and is already showing how eager she is to learn.
Snow absolutely loves:
🌿 Running and frolicking in the grass
🐶 Playing with other dogs
🦴 Showing off her “sit” for treats (she’s a quick learner!)
With continued training, structure, and positive reinforcement, Snow has so much potential to grow into an amazing companion. She would thrive in a home ready to help her channel her puppy energy in the right ways.
Could Snow be the perfect addition to your family? Come meet her and see for yourself! 💙
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
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Winnebago County Animal Services
2 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description 🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟...
🌟🐾 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, April 23rd's
...
Paw-some Pick is Queen A0060027154!
Say hello to Queen, a 3-year-old, 60-pound pocket bully with a heart just as big as her name suggests. This sweet girl has spent time with us on and off over the years—through no fault of her own—and every time she returns, she reminds us just how special she is.
Queen is the total package when it comes to manners and companionship. She’s crate trained, potty trained, and walks beautifully on a leash. She’s lived in a home with children and has done well, and she’s passed multiple temperament tests with other dogs in our care. Staff and volunteers absolutely adore her—you’ll often find her curled up in someone’s lap, happily snuggling with her favorite stuffie.
Now, we want to be honest about Queen’s needs.
Queen struggles with severe allergies that have been difficult to pinpoint. We have done testing like bloodwork, but we haven’t been able to identify the exact cause with our limited resources. What we do know is that with consistent care—weekly medicated baths and basic antibiotics—she shows steady improvement and becomes much more comfortable in her own skin.
Because of this, Queen will likely need ongoing, lifelong care to keep her happy and healthy. We understand that this is a big commitment, and it may feel like a big ask. Our rescue partner Care For Pets has even generously volunteered veterinary assistance for one year with their vet to find the best treatment plan for Queen while she settles in her new home.
But here’s what we also know: Queen is absolutely worth it.
She is full of love, resilience, and affection. The kind of dog who will greet you with joy every single day, who will curl up beside you when you need comfort, and who will fill your home with warmth and companionship.
We know her people are out there, and she’ right here waiting for you! If you’re someone with a big heart and the ability to give Queen the care she needs, you’ll gain something truly priceless in return—a loyal best friend who will love you endlessly.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-application
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Winnebago County Animal Services
2 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description ‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Josie...
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Josie (now JJ)???❤
JJ came to WCAS in early-April as an owner surrender due to her owner citing that they did not have enough time to dedicate to her care. Thankfully, JJ didn't have to wait long before going to a loving home - a
...
little over a week after her arrival, JJ was adopted!
🐾JJ's adopter reached out to update us with these great photos!
👉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.go
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Winnebago County Animal Services
2 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description 👀🚨Do you know any of these dogs?🚨👀
...
👀🚨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 (Wednesday 4/22) 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.
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Winnebago County Animal Services
2 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description ✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our ...
✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨
Our model is ❤Sanara A0052496205❤ who is currently available for adoption here at WCAS!
Sanara is a 5-year, 10-month-old, 52-pound sweetheart who’s ready to find lasting stability and love. She’s no stranger to WCAS—this is
...
her third time with us since April 2022. The first two times, she arrived as a stray and was quickly reclaimed by her owner. Most recently, Sanara was surrendered due to a change in her owner’s housing situation.
Since being back in our care, Sanara has reminded us just how affectionate she is. During her initial evaluation, she climbed right into a staff member’s lap, soaking up pets and belly rubs—clearly a girl who loves attention and connection!
Sanara also participated in a dog introduction where staff noted her high energy and playful nature. She eagerly initiated play and showed that she enjoys engaging with other dogs.
Sanara is now looking for a forever home where she can finally settle in for good and share her loving, playful personality. If you’re looking for a dog who will happily be both your cuddle buddy and your playmate, Sanara might be the perfect fit.
This week, we're in need of the following item(s):
✨Wet dog food
✨Fabuloso
Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 6110
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Winnebago County Animal Services
3 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description 🌟🐾 Paw-some Pick of the Day! 🐾🌟...
🌟🐾 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, April 22nd's
...
Paw-some Pick is Mrs. Potts A0060283307!
Mrs. Potts is a 3-year-old, 39-pound pup who’s ready for a fresh start and a forever home. She recently came into our care due to a change in her previous living situation, and now she’s looking for a safe, stable place where she can truly thrive.
Since being with us, Mrs. Potts has been showing us her sweet and resilient personality. During a dog introduction here at the shelter, staff noted that she was initially a bit nervous, but she did her best to engage—eventually initiating play. Before long, both dogs were happily bouncing around the play yard together!
Mrs. Potts is now looking for a family who will give her the time, patience, and encouragement she needs to continue building confidence and feeling at home.🐱🐶✨
🖱Click here to submit an Adoption Questionnaire - https://winnebagoanimals.org/adoption-applicatio
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Winnebago County Animal Services
3 days ago
Lightbox link for post with description ‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember...
‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼
❤Remember Diamond (now Wonder)???❤
Wonder came to WCAS in early-February of this year when their owner surrender her, along with two other dogs, citing a change in their housing situation that no longer allowed them to keep their dogs.
...
Thankfully, Wonder didn't have to wait long for adoption, Wonder went to the loving home she so deserved less than a week after arriving at WCAS.
🐾Wonder's adopters reached out to update us with these great photos!
👉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.go
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WCAS Returning to Past License Tag Style Due to Global Shipping Disruptions
WCAS News
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
All About Cats
WCAS News
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
Adoption Resources
All About Cats
WCAS News
The Working Cat Program finds homes for those cats are better suited to a non-traditional home setting.
PetSmart Adoption Program
Adoption Resources
Other Resources
WCAS News
WCAS has partnered with six PetSmart locations to help cats and kittens find their new homes.
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