Winnebago County Animal Services

07/11/2025

‼🎉RESCUE TRANSFER/ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Monster (now Monty)???❤

Monty came to WCAS in late-October of 2020 as a stray. Monty was microchipped and their owner was notified that he was at our facility, but Monty's owners never showed up to reclaim him. Although Monty didn't have the greatest cage presence while here, he did great during dog intros. However, after a few dog intros and interactions with staff in the play yard, it was noticed that Monty would become protective of his handler (his favorite was one of our, now Animal Control Officers, Austin) and growl at anyone that would approach.
Our Adoption Coordinator sprung into action and reached out to various rottweiler rescues to see what options we had to get Monty into a home who understood his needs. MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue (MARR) contacted us back right away and informed us that this was behavior they had commonly seen in Rottweilers in shelter environments and that they would work with us to see if they could help.

MARR sent one of their evaluators to our facility to visit with Monty, which went well! MARR arranged a foster, and it just so happened that this foster was a pilot from Indiana who had experience in helping transport rescue dogs! Two of our staff members, one of which was one who Monty became so fond of, took Monty to meet his foster at the Rockford Airport and Monty hopped right in the plane, ready for his flight! Monty was flying high (literally!) on his way to his foster home!

👉Earlier this week, nearly 5 years later, we received a wonderful update from Monty's foster home turned adopter!!!

Monty's adopter shared an update with us along with these wonderful photos!
🐾In November of 2020 we fostered then adopted a Rottweiler named “Monster” from Rockford through MARR. We picked him up in an airplane. Not sure if anyone that was there 5 years ago is still there (young man in red shirt and young lady). Was just looking at old photos and thought I’d share. We call him “Monty” (unless he’s in trouble, then it’s “Monster”) and he is doing well.

It hasn’t all been roses, lol, but we love him and he loves us. He’s got some lingering issues, likely from some prior abuse or neglect. We were fostering but decided to adopt because we thought he’d end up in a shelter again by another owner, or worse, be euthanized. But he is full of love and very affectionate.

He must’ve sat on his former owner’s lap as a young pup, because he still does it…at 120 lbs! Given the choice between chicken and romaine lettuce - he chooses lettuce (?!). He loves being brushed. He enjoys cars and flying. He takes and protects empty water bottles (he likes recycling). Our life is crazy with Monty :)🐾

👉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 [email protected]!

07/11/2025

🐾 Meet Roxie — WCAS’s Longest-Staying Resident! 🐾
This sweet girl came to us as a stray and, sadly, was never reclaimed. 💔 Roxie has been with us for over 119 days, but she hasn’t let that dampen her gentle spirit. 💛

Roxie is a mild-mannered cuddle bug who loves curling up next to volunteers and quietly watching the world go by. While she was a little shy with other dogs at first, she recently had a heartwarming play session with a fellow pup — and totally came out of her shell! 🐶💕

She’s been hanging out behind our front desk lately, where we’ve learned she’s potty trained, well-mannered, and loves to greet staff with a gentle hug and lean for attention. 🥹

Roxie is ready to find the loving home she deserves — one where she can share her calm, affectionate nature with her very own family.

Come meet Roxie during our open hours — and say hello to the other wonderful adoptable pets waiting for homes too!

‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️
For a limited time only, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are reduced thanks to the generous support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation:
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats

Want to get a head start on the adoption process?
You can fill out an application today through our website!
www.winnebagoanimals.org

07/10/2025

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Jakey???❤

Jakey came to WCAS as a stray in early-June and was never reclaimed by an owner. Thankfully Jakey didn't have to wait long for adoption, after a couple of week in our care Jakey was adopted!

Jakey's adopter shared an update with us along with these adorable photos!
🐾I wanted to give an adoption update!! We adopted JAKEY last month on the 20th and he has settled in greatly!!! He loves my daughter and loves going on walks and car rides. He had his first pup cup and he loved it. His favorite toy is his squeaky bird he takes it everywhere with him. He's such a good boy and is a great addition to our family!!!🐾

👉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 [email protected]!

07/10/2025

🐾🎉 Happy National Kitten Day! 🎉🐾
Today we’re celebrating the tiniest toe beans, the fiercest zoomies, and the loudest purrs packed into the smallest bodies! 🐱💕

‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️
For a limited time only, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are reduced thanks to the generous support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation:

🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats

Kittens bring joy, curiosity, and just the right amount of chaos into our lives—and here at WCAS, we’re lucky enough to witness their adorable antics every single day! 😻

Thinking about adding a kitten (or two!) to your family? Now is the purr-fect time to adopt, foster, or even just stop by for some snuggles and smiles. Take a look at just a few of the kittens currently up for adoption at WCAS below!

💛 Whether you’re ready to bring home a new furry friend or just want to celebrate the cuteness, we’d love to see you today. Come visit us and help us find homes for these precious little floofs!

📍 Adoption Hours:
🕚 Thursday & Friday: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
🕚 Saturday: 11 AM – 3:30 PM

07/10/2025

‼️📢 LET’S EMPTY THE SHELTER! 📢‼️

Now through a limited time, adoption fees at Winnebago County Animal Services are REDUCED thanks to the BISSELL Pet Foundation!
🐶 $50 for dogs
🐱 $50 for kittens
🐱 $20 for adult cats

🎥🐾 Eyewitness News Pet of the Week: Watson! 🐾🎥
Watson joined Meteorologist Joey Marino to show off just what makes our adoptable dogs so special—and he nailed it!

🐾 Meet Watson!
This handsome, young pup came to us as a stray in rough shape—emaciated and needing lots of TLC. But thanks to some love, care, and plenty of snacks, Watson is now nearly 10 pounds healthier and ready to find his forever home! 💪❤️

At about a year old, Watson still has that goofy, fun-loving puppy energy. He lives for playtime—especially with other dogs and toys. Afterward? It’s snuggle city. 🧸🐕

Watson’s journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s ready for a fresh start with a family who will love him as much as he loves belly rubs. 🥰

All adoptions include:
✔️ Wellness exam
✔️ Spay/neuter
✔️ Microchip
✔️ Age-appropriate vaccines
✔️ Flea/tick preventative..and more!

📢 Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to adopt!
Visit www.WinnebagoAnimals.org to view available pets and complete an adoption questionnaire.

📍 Adoption Hours:
🕚 Thursday & Friday: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
🕚 Saturday: 11 AM – 3:30 PM

Let’s find Watson—and all his furry friends—the forever homes they deserve! 🏡💛

07/09/2025

‼🎉ADOPTION UPDATE!🎉‼

❤Remember Zoey???❤

Zoey initially came to us as a stray in May of 2022 and was never reclaimed by an owner. When she arrived, she had a broken right paw and a large wound on her head. Her paw was surgically corrected and she spent the next couple of months in foster care while she healed & recovered and was eventually adopted by her foster. However, a couple of months after getting adopted, Zoey found herself back at our facility, again as a stray. Sadly, her adopter never showed up to reclaim her. After a couple of months back at WCAS, Zoey was adopted into what she thought would be her forever home, but after two and a half years, Zoey was returned to WCAS. For the next 3 months, Zoey patiently awaited adoption until she was adopted in mid-June of this year!

Zoey's adopter shared an update with us along with these great photos!
🐾We adopted Zoey about a month ago from the Winnebago County Animal Services shelter. She’s such a joy and a wonderful addition to our family. She’s so sweet and loving, she even loves her new brother. Thank you everyone who made it possible for Zoey to find her forever home!!!
Zoey loves to run around in the yard with her brother Echo, which we also adopted from your faculty a year ago. She loves when it’s time to eat and loves her treats!!!
🐾

👉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 [email protected]!

07/09/2025

✨🙏It's Wishlist Wednesday! 🙏✨

(Our model is Tomás A0058664698! They're currently available for adoption here at WCAS!!!)

This week, we're in need of the following items:
✨ Kitten Wet Food
✨ Dog Wet Food

Donations can be dropped off at our facility OR ordered & shipped to our address
- 4517 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103

07/08/2025

💛🐾 EMPTY THE SHELTERS STARTS TOMORROW WITH REDUCED ADOPTION FEES THRU A LIMITED TIME! 🐾💛 at Winnebago County Animal Services! 📣

—since the 4th of July we have had almost 60 animals come into our care at a time when we were already at capacity.💔 Our shelter is overcrowded, which puts pets at risk. These animals deserve a second chance and a loving family ‼️🚨

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the BISSELL Pet Foundation and the compassionate heart of Cathy Bissell, we’re proud to participate in Empty the Shelters—a nationwide adoption event dedicated to giving pets the second chance they deserve.

🎉 ADOPTION FEES:
🐱 Cats $20
🐱 Kittens $50
🐶 Dogs $50
(Pre-select animals are not a part of the event)

Each pet has a story—some came in scared, others were surrendered, and many were simply lost. But all of them have one thing in common: they’re waiting for you. ❤️

Help us empty our full kennels by filling homes and hearts.
📢 Please share and spread the word—let’s find them all forever homes!
👇 Meet some of our adoptable pets below!
Then, click the link to see all available pets and submit your adoption application:
🔗 www.winnebagoanimals.org

07/07/2025

🎉🎉 Last week, Winnebago County Animal Services helped 33 pets find their forever homes! That includes 18 cats, 13 dogs, and 2 birds! 🎉🎉

🐾 Browse all of our available pets at: www.winnebagoanimals.org
Let’s work together to save more lives! 🐶🐱🐹🐾

07/07/2025

🚨 Calling all Lab lovers! 🚨
We’ve got TWO amazing black labs at WCAS who are ready to find their forever homes — and the best part? Their adoption fees are SPONSORED! 🐾🖤

👇 Meet our incredible duo:

🌟 Memphis - 7 years old
Memphis was surrendered due to housing issues, but his former owner had nothing but love for him! He’s house-trained, did well with another dog in the home, and loves people.
Since arriving at WCAS, Memphis has quickly become a volunteer favorite thanks to his calm demeanor and affectionate nature. He’s the definition of a good boy. 💙

🌟 Molly Mae - 8 years old
Molly Mae came to us from a rough situation where she was left alone in a home with two cats in poor conditions. But you’d never know it — she’s been nothing but sweet, gentle, and resilient.
She’s gotten along well with other dogs here and is a total lovebug with people. Her hair has grown back beautifully, and she’s feeling better every day! 💗

🎉 Both of these wonderful dogs have SPONSORED ADOPTION FEES, thanks to generous supporters and our WCAS Auxiliary! 🎉
If you're looking for a loyal companion, you’ll find one (or two!) waiting here at WCAS.

📍 Stop by and meet Memphis and Molly Mae — they’re ready to love you forever.
www.winnebagoanimals.org

07/05/2025

Lost a pet? Found a pet? Thousands of people visit our website every week and it's probably no surprise that the most popular pages are the adoptable dogs and cats. We totally get it! But we hope that you'll also make browsing the lost and found pages on our site a regular habit as well!

Of course all stray animals coming to our facility are shown here, but residents are also able to file a lost or found report right our website, picture and everything, and that report gets published on our website. These are people who have lost their pet and are asking for help finding them. Browse these listings, which are updated throughout the day, and see if you can help!

What do you do when you have a lost pet or you found one? Check out our lost and found pets page for more information.

07/04/2025

Just a reminder that Winnebago County Animal Services will be closed today, Friday, July 4th in observance of the Fourth of July.

We will re-open tomorrow, Saturday, July 5th at 11am.

Have a safe and fun holiday!