Bergen County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center — Attraction in Teterboro

We adopted our Maltese/Bichon mix (dog) who was found as a stray several months back and had a great experience with Bergen County Animal Shelter. We had previously adopted in Monmouth County when we lived there at the Monmouth County SPCA, and this was our first experience in Bergen County. We were prepared to show supporting documents of our adoption history to help us in the application process and it did.

I like being able to see the dogs and not just look up pictures on the internet so I like that this facility has convenient viewing hours. It helps us to see the dog's behavior immediately. When we were previewing the dogs in their kennels, I noticed that the cages were clean and I did not seem to detect any offensive odors and I have a sensitive nose. I also noticed that during the time we went looking at every dog, several dogs were taken out to be walked which made me happy. I really liked how they labeled information for each dog, and for the ones that they recommended against being with children, we were able to eliminate. We also had to take into account that we had an older dog at the house, so we ended up narrowing down the search to just one dog. We were able to take him out to an outside enclosed facility with an employee and see how we interacted.

After we decided to put in our application to adopt this dog, we were advised to come back with the rest of our family as soon as possible since this dog was in high demand, so we picked up our kids and brought them along with our dog. Everyone got along and because we already had a history of adopting at another facility, we showed them many documents to help support our application. We were immediately approved but be advised that this is not (and should not) be the norm. I am glad to hear that they are thorough in their process to make sure that the animal is going to a good home and will not be returned. The people working/volunteering at this shelter were friendly and helpful to us.

Even though we were immediately approved, We had to wait one week to make sure that no one came to claim the dog, then they had to have him go through surgery to be neutered which took another couple of days since his surgery was elective and not an emergency. This process takes extra time so be prepared for that in considering your timeline.

Besides the money you save with the neutering surgery, and the shots that these animals gets, the satisfaction of saving an animal and giving it a good home is so rewarding. You only pay a small adoption fee, which is hardly anything considering everything you are getting with your animal. We asked about donations, and since they told us that they preferred to get supplies donated to them rather than the monetary donations, my husband had a great time filling up several carts with necessities from a list they supplied. They were thrilled and very appreciative of the donation.

I highly recommend taking a visit to this shelter if you are considering getting a pet for your home. We also saw many kittens/cats there and all of these sweet animal needs your love!

Thank you to the Bergen County Animal Shelter for helping us find our newest addition to our family! We hope they will be able to help you...

I had such a great experience initially dealing with this shelter, as did my family, which is the reason I chose them but my encounter today was not as favorable, unfortunately. I visited the shelter with two friends, both of whom are extremely eager to adopt and walk out with their new family member today. We called the shelter ahead of time to let them know we’d be arriving about 10 past 4 after rushing out of work early just for this purpose, and they assured they’d welcome us. Upon arrival, it was clear the administrative staff were preparing to close and were not interested in entertaining us. Two lovely ladies on the floor actually gave us the time of day and tried to convince the team to allow one of my friends to take one particular adult cat out of the cage but they refused, insisting that’s only allowed up to 4pm.

Not only do I wish this had been mentioned when I called 40 minutes ahead while on the road, but there were two other groups around the same time who also asked for just 3 minutes with a cat they were so visibly connected to, and to think that could have potentially been 3 cats finding a home today breaks my heart. That is the mission after all, no? And I have witnessed the process first hand to know it could have all been wrapped by closing time.

We then asked if we could at least leave our application but they did not want to bother unless they could complete the whole approval process. My friends and I left feeling helpless and saddened by the fact that our dear boy had to stay behind and we won’t be able to return for a couple of days due to their hours of operation and our conflicting work schedules.

If they truly don’t entertain parties after 4pm, then the schedule should be adjusted accordingly. If this happened to 3 groups this evening, I can’t imagine how often it occurs and how many opportunities are missed because of this unwritten and undisclosed internal rule and their general attitude which only makes you feel like a nuisance.

I really wish my friends had experienced a more welcoming and encouraging environment in this monumental step toward...

I’m gonna start this with the individuals employed at this shelter are DECEITFUL and heartless on people’s situations and circumstances . Around December 2017, I went & adopted a kitten, on behalf of a former friend at the time (as a surprise gift) who had their own apartment, good income, and other pets . The staff was not the friendliest, and after having to search an unbelievable amount of emails to luckily find a copy of my lease that stated pets were allowed , I was able to adopt the kitten I chose . Fast forward to about a week later i believe, the shelter is calling me asking how the kitten is doing . At this point, I already gave the kitten to my friend, and the friend said the kitten was doing fine and exploring the new home. So I tell the lady from the shelter who called me that she’s doing just fine and adjusting well (as per what former friend had told me). In a snarky and loud tone she says “Oh really because the kitten is here now it was found near a building and luckily she’s okay and healthy but now we’re banning you and putting you on a Ban list from ever being able to adopt a pet.” I explained to her the situation that I gifted the kitten to a friend who had welcoming arms to pets and she says she doesn’t care that’s why they don’t like adopting pets around the holidays and that i’m still banned, then hangs up . I call former friend angry and It turns out my friends babysitter had accidentally let the kitten , and another cat he already had , run out the front door while cleaning . I understand why the shelter would be upset about what happened, but the kitten was found and returned in less than a few days , in the same health from when I had gotten her . Her rude attitude was not necessary, nor was her deceitful initial question when calling . If you already had the kitten back in the shelter, why are you going to call me asking how she’s doing ? Idk where they hire these type of condescending, ill mannered people . I’m an animal lover with three healthy happy pets who is going to have to SHOP , instead of adopt from now on...