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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 - 5:00 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

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

Dottie

Female | 2 yearsTerrier, American Pit Bull
Meet Me

Draco

Male | 2 yearsTerrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me

Nimbus

Male | 1 yearTerrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me

MC

Male | 5 yearsBulldog
Meet Me

Mamba

Female | 2 yearsTerrier, Pit Bull
Meet Me

Elsie

Female | 6 yearsTerrier, American Pit Bull
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.

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

🎉🎉Last week, Winnebago County Animal Services helped 39 pets find adoptive families! This included 15 cats, 15 dogs, 7 chickens, 1 lizard, and 1 fish!🎉🎉

For more information on adoptable pets, please visit our website at
www.winnebagoanimals.org.

✨🎉🐾We are in full celebration-mode here at WCAS!🐾🎉✨

This Week (April 14-20) is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!

The offices of our Officers & Dispatch Team were festively decorated to kick-off the week and to get everyone in the spirit!
...
The Winnebago County Animal Services Officers & Dispatch Team are a group of dedicated individuals that thrive in helping the residents and the animals in the community. WCAS Officers respond to public health and safety issues in cases where animals are involved and investigate animal abuse and welfare concerns. The Animal Services Officers provide service 365 days a year to over 280,000 residents over a coverage area of 500 square miles.

Thank you to all of our Animal Control Officers & our dedicated Dispatch Team for the great work they do for Winnebago County!!!

🎥🐾 Take a look at the WIFR TV 23 pet of the week, Luella with Andy Gannon this morning.🐾🎥

Luella is the most charming gal you will ever meet! This gentle, sweet, 2-year-old is searching for a home to ham it up in. She's easy to please and just needs someone to take a ...chance on her! Got snacks? She'll gladly eat them! Squeaky toys? She loves them! Snuggles on the couch? Count her in! Get ready to fall in love.

Come see this tiny hippo in action and visit her today at the Winnebago County Animal Services!

If you're interested in adopting, visit our website and complete an adoption questionnaire. www.winnebagoanimals.org

✨🎉🐾This Week (April 14-20) is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!

The Winnebago County Animal Services Officers & Dispatch Team are a group of dedicated individuals that thrive in helping the residents and the animals in the community. WCAS Officers respond to ...public health and safety issues in cases where animals are involved and investigate animal abuse and welfare concerns. The Animal Services Officers provide service 365 days a year to over 280,000 residents over a coverage area of 500 square miles.

Thank you to all of our Animal Control Officers & our dedicated Dispatch Team for the great work they do for Winnebago County!!!

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Bentley???❤
Bentley first visited WCAS as a stray back in May of 2022, and after just a few days in our care, he was reclaimed by his owner. Fast-forward a year and a half later, and Bentley returned to WCAS, again as a stray, but this time ...his owner did not show up to reclaim him. While in our care, Bentley eagerly awaited adoption, and after being here for a little over a month, Bentley was adopted by an absolutely wonderful family!

Bentley's adopter shared these photos & this wonderful update with us-
🐾Bentley has been doing great he’s settled into his new forever home. He loves long naps and his long walks and run time at the park. He lives for car rides and pup cups. He is a very sweet dog and loves to cuddle. He’s a special part of our family now.🐾

👉Interested in creating your own adoption story?
We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption! We are open for adoptions today until 4:30pm!

👉Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org -to complete an adoption questionnaire!

📰🐾Dimitri was our Pet of the Week on Eyewitness News this morning with Meteorologist Joey Marino.🐾 📰

Dimitri is a gentle giant (80 pounds with weight to be gained) Shepherd who loves walks and the company of people. He was brought in as a stray when our officers were called out... to a dog running at large. Dimitri was on the run and hard to catch but was able to be lured into a van with the patience of our officers and a little cat food! Unfortunately, his owners never claimed him and he is now ready for a new adventure of finding a forever home.

Dimitri's human friends always remark at his kind eyes and calming disposition. He knows sit, shake, and seems to be house trained. He is an easy going guy who is great with people and other dogs!

👉Come meet with this handsome guy!
Visit our website to fill out an Adoption Questionnaire and then come out to see him in person!
www.WinnebagoAnimals.org

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Hazel???❤
Hazel came to WCAS as a stray back in August of 2022 and was was never reclaimed by an owner. Thankfully, Hazel didn't have to spend too long at our facility without a home, she was quickly adopted by what is very clearly her ...forever family!

Hazel's adopter shared these photos & this wonderful update with us-
🐾This is Hazel! Looking for a puppy for my wife and I, when I came across hazel, this beautiful black dog caught my eye so quickly, she was one of the quietest dog in there, but was I mistaken, hazel loves to be vocal and loves to talk back and my wife and I think it's the best thing in the world.
She is one smart cookie, she loves playing with her sisters at my in-laws house. Loves her summer swims and walks in the woods. Shes so good with children, she will walk by their side making sure they are safe!
My wife and I could have not been happier with another dog she completes our family and is truly the best dog in the world!🐾

👉Interested in creating your own adoption story?
We have lots of amazing dogs & cats available for adoption! We are open for adoptions today until 4:30pm!

👉Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org -to complete an adoption questionnaire!

Behind these beautiful hazel eyes is a heart full of gold. 💛

Stu was brought to WCAS when our officers were called out to a call for a welfare check. It turns out there were some domestic issues in the home and Stu as well as a few other dogs were brought to the shelter where they would... be safe. He is now here patiently awaiting his new forever home! He is just a pup at 11 months old and has a good amount of energy. The staff here at the shelter think that Stu do great in a home willing to give him exercise and keep him busy! But don't worry, Stu has lots of love to give! He enjoys long walks with his human companions and snuggles after a long day of play! Stu will always let you know "You are so beautiful to him!" Do you think would be a good addition to your home?

Half of Stu’s adoption fee has been covered by Care for Pets! Adopt him today for a $75 adoption fee!

👉Visit our website - www.WinnebagoAnimals.org - to view all of the pets currently available for adoption and to complete an adoption questionnaire!

🎉🎉Last week, Winnebago County Animal Services helped 25 pets find adoptive families! This included 10 cats, 13 dogs, and 2 Parakeets!🎉🎉

For more information on adoptable pets, please visit our website at
www.winnebagoanimals.org.

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