TETERBORO — In an effort to increase adoptions during the winter, the Bergen County Animal Shelter began a "name your price" promotion, lowering the cost of adoption fees.

The second annual "Be My Forever Valentine" event runs through Valentine's Day and for the first time is allowing potential pet adopters to name their price, dropping the adoption fee price as low as $20.

"Homeless animals are more prevalent in Bergen County than people think," said Deborah Yankow, director of the shelter and Bergen County Animal Services.

About 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of that number, 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats, per the ASPCA.

Specifics on the number of animals taken in by shelters throughout North Jersey were not immediately available. But the Bergen shelter currently has 171 cats, 50 dogs, eight rabbits and four guinea pigs during a relatively quiet time for the adoption center, Yankow said.

She said dogs are more likely to get adopted but it is cats that are most frequently brought to the shelter. Several thousand cats come through the shelter each year, she said.

"We have a lot of senior animals. It can be hard to get them adopted," Yankow said.

An animal's classification as a senior depends on the type of animal and its breed. Senior animals are often given up by families because of financial burdens, a long-distance move or simply not wanting to care for an older animal, Yankow said.

Matchmaking

Imelda and Edward Guerra of Little Ferry made the first adoption of the event, choosing a husky named Hunter.

Freddie, the Guerras' dog of 12 years, recently died. Freddie was also adopted from the Bergen County shelter, and the couple made several trips to visit Hunter over the past three weeks.

"I saw him and fell in love," Edward Guerra said.

Any person or family that wants to adopt has to go through the shelter's matchmaking program, Yankow said.

The process includes a comprehensive application and an ideal household evaluation. Animals may not fit with a family if they are aggressive or can't be around other pets.

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"You don't walk in the door and take a dog in five minutes," Yankow said.

All of the animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before becoming available. The Guerras will be able to take Hunter home once he is neutered.

"If we could help every dog in there, we would," Imelda Guerra said.

This is the second year for the Valentine's Day-themed event but the first year with reduced pricing. All fees are dedicated to vaccines and medical procedures for the animals.

The shelter is at 100 United Lane in Teterboro, and the animals are available for viewing from 1 to 5 p.m.

Email: zuritaa@northjersey.com