Home » Other Services » Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Animal Services located?
We are located one mile north of the Riverside Boulevard and North Main Street intersection at 4517 North Main Street. We share a driveway with River Bluff Nursing Home.
What should I do if I'm bitten by a dog?
After receiving proper medical treatment, contact Winnebago County Animal Services and an officer will complete a bite report of the incident.
What should I do if someone is being attacked by a vicious animal?
For immediate assistance with any life threatening situation involving an animal to a human, call 911.
Yikes...I lost my pet!
Visit Animal Services at 4517 N. Main Street and look for your pet right away. If your pet is not at the shelter, please complete a lost pet report and check our Found Books before leaving. Visit the shelter often to see if your pet has been found. Be sure to ask for a Lost Pet information sheet for more information. We recommend coming to the facility every day to view the stray ward for your lost pet. Stray cats with no identification are place for adoption right away. Dogs are kept for 7 days with no ID and 10 days if they have an ID. For more information, go to our Lost and Found link our website.
Do you adopt animals at your facility?
You bet we do! Animal Services always has cats and dogs available for adoption. Sometimes other types of pets are available such as birds, rabbits, iguanas, ferrets, etc. View animals for adoption.
How long do you keep cats and dogs?
The animals that come into Animal Services do not have an expiration date.
Stray dogs are held for seven days and may be put up for adoption if not reclaimed by the owner, provided they are healthy and friendly. Dogs stay in the adoption room until adopted, unless their health or behavior changes to the point of becoming a public safety risk to themselves or people.
There is no requirement to hold stray cats, so healthy and friendly cats with no identification are placed in adoption right away. Cats are available for adoption at Animal Services or Petsmart until adopted, unless their health or behavior changes to the point of becoming a public safety issue for the cat or people.
If a sick or injured stray animal comes into Animal Services, it may be euthanized right away if the veterinarian determines it's the most humane thing to do. Animals Services does provide limited vet care for injured animals that come in as strays. We do not provide treatment or vaccinations for pets owned by the public.
Winnebago County Animal Services avoids euthanizing animals by working with animal rescue groups and foster homes whenever possible.
How can I help?
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Adopt your next cat or dog from Animal Services.
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Spay or neuter your pet at an early age.
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Do not let your pet roam the neighborhood.
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Have your pet vaccinated and examined annually by a licensed veterinarian.
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Properly train and socialize your cat or dog.
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Always make sure your pet has identification such as a microchip, rabies tag, or personalized tag. Keep your contact information current with Winnebago County Animal Services and with the microchip manufacturer.