We aim to provide shelter and care to homeless and unwanted domestic animals while also educating pet owners and ensuring that all pets have access to veterinary care.
Shelter Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve: 9am - 12pm
Christmas Day & New Year’s Day: Closed
If you want to take an animal home on Christmas Eve, we recommend visiting us on 12/21 to meet and reserve the animal. Same day adoptions on Christmas Eve are not guaranteed. Reminder: Animals are NOT gifts. Animals are 15+ year commitments.
About Us
The Sanctuary was founded and incorporated by a small group of residents from Rockford, IL on April 30, 1978. Their primary concern was humane care and population control. There have been over 31,000 animals that have been aboard the Ark.
Each year over one thousand animals come to Noah’s Ark in need of a warm bed, good meal, and most importantly a forever home. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work hard to ensure each animal receives the best care possible during his/her stay.
"Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life."
— James Cromwell
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary was founded to help unwanted and stray animals of the Greater Rockford area but its founders believed the Ark could do more. More for the pet owners in our community. More for the neglected pets of Winnebago County. More for the stray cat population. So, in 2008, Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic was founded.
Our Mission
To provide temporary housing, medical care, and to restore nutritional health to stray, unwanted, and abandoned domestic animals until a permanent adoptive home is acquired.
1,110
dogs and cats entered Noah’s Ark in 2023 to find homes
1,200+
feral cats were neutered or spayed through our TNR program
500+
pets received veterinary care through our low-income programs
Noah’s Vision Quest
Noah’s Vision Quest is a capital campaign to raise funds for our new x-ray machine to improve medical care for our shelter animals and pets in the community. This equipment will enhance our ability to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses, ensuring timely care for sick or injured animals. Your donations are essential for making this resource available, leading to better health outcomes for many animals in need.
Our Vision
To secure a safe environment for all companion animals. We envision a world where all people and their pets live healthy, happy, and long lives together.
Noah’s Ark does not euthanize animals to make space for others. We are a no-kill shelter and work to preserve life whenever possible.