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To report animal cruelty in Bergen County call 911 or 201-573-8900
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Bergen County Animal Shelter
un-Official Web-site
Located in Teterboro, NJ

Animal Shelter Official Web-site

Related info: Pet related web-sites


Bergen County Animal Shelter, 100 United Lane, Teterboro, NJ  07608 
201-229-4616   ·   Fax: 201-440-2567   ·    Email: shelter@co.bergen.nj.us

Adoption Hours

Monday
Closed for adoptions and owner surrenders
Open to turn in strays and reclaim lost pets from contracting towns: 1 pm - 5 pm

(All services are available Tues - Sun)

Tuesday - Wednesday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday
1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays with no Rabies Clinic
1 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays with a Rabies Clinic
(Check the calendar for dates for rabies clinics.)

Friday: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for adoptions

Saturday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed for all major holidays
Since adoptions take about one half hour, they do not start one in the last half hour.
The Shelter does not accept surrendered animals from outside Bergen County.

Call BCAS  regarding holiday closings for:
Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
They close at 5 p.m. on other County holidays.

FOCAS sponsors 2005 Holiday Pet Photos with Mrs. Claus [Story & photos]

FOCAS Annual Dog Show 2005

Shelter gets new director  [Story and photo] 2004

Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS)

BCAS Animal Control
BCAS is a county operated facility providing animal control to 45 communities in Bergen County. They accept owned animals for a fee from our contracted communities. If space permits, they will accept owned animals from other towns. BCAS is almost always operating at capacity for dogs. Please call the shelter (201-229-4600) to find out if cages are available. Please call the shelter to find out if cages are available for other animals. Before bringing in a stray, call the police department of the town in which the animal is found to determine the appropriate agency that provides animal control for that community.  The facility is designed to hold up to 125 dogs and 200 cats.  If you are not from Bergen County, please contact your local shelters.

The following towns have animal control contracts with Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS).
BCAS will accept stray domestic animals from any of these towns. If the Shelter is closed, call your local police department who can reach them after hours. If you find a stray in any other town, please contact the local police for the animal control contractor for that town.

BCAS Lost and Found
If you have lost your pet, please come to BCAS to fill out a lost report and look at the animals. Bring identification and proof that the animal is yours (license, shot certificate, pictures or something else that will verify ownership). The BCAS staff that answer the phone cannot look through the shelter for your pet - you must do this yourself. We pick up animals in the towns that contract with us for animal control. BCAS sometimes get animals from other towns if they are brought in by private citizens. BCASe hold stray cats and dogs for one week, as per the state law, so you should check the shelter at least once a week. A reclaim fee is charged. The amount will depend on what services were provided to the animal. BCAS does not accept cash. Payment may be made by checks, MasterCard, VISA or money orders.

Found Pets
If you have found a pet that you wish to hold, please call BCAS to file a found report. BCAS will check this report when someone comes in to look for a lost pet. If you found a stray in a contracting town, you may bring in the animal during the hours BCAS is open or you may call for a pick-up from animal control. If BCAS is not open, call your local police who can reach us via the county police dispatcher. If the stray was found in a town that does not contract with BCAS, please call the local police to find out how to reach the appropriate animal control agency.


Animals for Adoption
New homes were found for nearly 2,200 cats and dogs last year through adoption. In addition, another 600 lost pets were returned to their owners. Those wishing to adopt a pet are all carefully screened to insure the animals will be well treated. BCAS is open for adoptions every day.

Various types and breeds of animals are available for adoption at BCAS. If you don't see what you are looking for in their Pet List , please feel free to stop by during adoption hours. BCAS always have more animals than are listed on the site. BCAS has a huge demand for puppies and kittens, so BCAS cannot notify you when one is available. Pets are usually adopted within hours of becoming available. Highly desirable animals are often adopted within hours of BCAS opening the day after they are posted. If you take the time to email and wait for a response, the animal will usually be gone. The pet list is updated at least three times a week. Please do not call BCAS asking for more information. The BCAS staff that answers the phone will not be able to help, and often you will just get a machine. BCAS is unable to return this type of call. You must come to BCAS in person to adopt. BCAS does not ship animals.

"Please be aware, while BCAS tries to keep their pet list as up-to-date as possible, BCAS cannot guarantee an animal will still be available when you arrive. BCAS reserves the right to refuse an adoption. Proof of residence must be shown. Please bring in the entire family to meet the prospective pet. If you are considering adopting a dog and have one already, we ask that you bring it to BCAS for an introduction in one of their outdoor pens. If you rent, we need to contact your landlord or see a lease that states you may have a pet.

A stray must be held for 7 days to give its owners a chance to reclaim it. During this period animals are not available for adoption. The strays will be made available for adoption at the end of that holding period as BCAS opens for adoption on the eighth day. BCAS will not pre-adopt any animal prior to that time. In the event more than one family is interested in an animal, BCAS management reserves the right to match the pet with a family of BCAS choosing, based on their experience at the shelter.

Adoption fees (MasterCard, Visa, checks or money orders...no cash accepted):
Dogs under 6 years old: $100.00, over 6 years old: $75.00
Cats under 6 years old: $75.00, over 6 years old: $50.00
Rabbits, Ferrets: $35 
Guinea Pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice: $10 

All animals must be spayed or neutered before leaving BCAS. Above prices include the cost of neutering if needed. Fees are currently being reviewed and are subject to change.

BCAS animals receive a quick check by our medical department before adoption. BCAS does not do blood work or a thorough exam. For that reason BCAS strongly recommends you bring the animal to your own vet as soon as possible. If your vet finds a serious problem, BCAS will take back the pet and issue a refund or exchange. Returns must be accompanied by a letter from your vet and must be within two weeks of the adoption date. If your pet gets sick within two weeks of the adoption date, BCAS will take the pet back and refund the adoption fee. BCAS will take the animal back during the two week period following adoption for any reason, but will only issue a refund for a serious medical problem with the animal. If you wish to return the animal after the first two weeks, there will be a charge. If you wish to have your own vet treat your new pet, it is at your own expense.

If you have another pet, BCAS strongly recommends isolating your new animal until your own vet gives it a clean bill of health. BCAS is not responsible for the health of any other animal in your household. BCAS will do a feline leukemia/feline AIDs test at your expense ($40) if you request it and test kits and a vet tech are available. The price is not refunded if the test result is positive, but BCAS will test another cat free of charge.

Animals for adoption:
     Bergen County Animal Shelter Official web-site
     Check FOCAS
     www.petfinder.org  -- search using zip code

BCAS Sponsored Dog Obedience Classes
BCAS six week Dog Obedience Training Program holds on-leash basic obedience training classes Monday nights at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at BCAS. Contact BCAS for the next session of classes. Tuition is $100. BCAS subsidizes the tuition for dogs adopted from BCAS, tuition for a BCAS adoptee is $50. There is also a $25 charge for a class-regulation leash and collar for all participants.

On-leash basic obedience training and learning how to correct your pet companions' negative habits are the central structure of each class. Dogs must be at least four months of age to begin training. But no dog is too old to learn. The family member who is with the dog the most, or having the most difficulty handling the dog, should accompany the dog through class instruction.

BCAS Foster Program

The Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS)  is desperately in need of foster homes for babies and animals with special medical needs. Space at tBCAS is limited and with the number of animals living there, the risk of them picking up an airborne virus is great.

For this reason, BCAS has developed the foster program. Volunteers provide a home for kittens and puppies until they reach the age when they are ready for adoption, or a calm and safe environment for animals recovering from surgery. BCAS provides the veterinary care, food and other supplies. You provide the time and love.

Several categories of help are needed:

• Homes for kittens or puppies old enough to eat on their own that are waiting to be neutered.
  This is typically a 2-3 week commitment. You need not be home during the day, and these babies are typically healthy, needing only feeding, clean-up and play.
• Homes for litters eating on their own, but needing additional medical treatment.
  This is typically a six week commitment.
• Homes for mothers with litters.
  The mother does most of the work, but this is a longer commitment.
• Homes for babies who need to be nursed.
  You must be home during the day. These are the hardest to raise and the most time consuming, as they need to be fed every four hours.
• Homes for animals with special medical needs.
  Your commitment will vary - mostly the animal will need a safe and comfortable environment to help with recovery from surgery; administering of medication may be required.

Fostering is one of BCAS's most rewarding programs, but also one of the hardest and most emotional. It is difficult to give up your fosters for adoption (most foster parents wind up keeping at least one) and especially hard when you lose a baby to disease. This is not a program for someone wanting to "test drive" a kitten or puppy. For more information, please email  BCAS.


Special Needs - (items must be in good, clean condition)

• Clean sheets, towels, blankets, playpens, bird cages, rabbit hutches, safari cages, pet carriers, pet food dishes, scratching posts.
• Purina Pro Plan dry dog food.
• Canned Pedigree dog food.
• Dry and canned cat food, kitty litter.
• Strained meat baby food (for foster kittens).
• New heating pads (for kittens, puppies and wildlife infants).
• Toilet tissue, paper towels, bleach, detergent, cleaning supplies.
• Pens, pencils, scissors, tape dispensers, note paper.
• Batteries (AA and AAA) for microchip scanners
• Coffee cans with plastic lids.
• PetCo or PetSmart gift cards

Feral (Wild) Cats Removal
In order to remove cats that cannot be handled, it is necessary to confine them in a humane trap. For a $55 deposit (refunded when the trap is returned) BCAS will loan you a trap and pick up any cats caught 9-5 on weekdays. It is your responsibility to set the trap, monitor it and call BCAS if a cat is caught, and close the trap in the late afternoon. This service is only offered to contracted towns. For more information, call 201-752-4260 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Wildlife Removal
BCAS responds to calls for sick or injured wildlife to any of our contracted towns. BCAS will pick up dead animals on public property during normal business hours. For a fee payable by the resident BCAS will pick up dead animals on private property. BCAS is not a pest control service and will not remove healthy wildlife from your property. The only exception is that BCAS will remove wildlife from living quarters for a fee payable by the resident at the time of the service. This does not include animals in attics, basements, garages, chimneys or sheds.

BCAS Rabies Clinic
In a joint effort with the New Jersey Department of Health since 1990, BCAS has participated in a comprehensive program to control rabies. In the past year more than 6,000 dogs and cats were given inoculations at its weekly clinic. BCAS continues to serve the municipalities that contract with it as a rabies control center. In addition, BCAS serves as the state rabies distribution center.

The Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS) holds it's State Rabies Clinic from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Check with BCAS for the next clinic date There is no cost for rabies shots to residents of New Jersey.

All animals that are brought to BCAS must be restrained, either by collar and leash, or in a carrier. If your pet has had previous rabies shots, please bring the certificate with you when you come to the clinic.

BCAS Facilities

New Jersey's largest facility of it's kind, the Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS) opened in 1979. The modern facilities include:

BCAS staff:

BCAS equipment at the Shelter for the treatment and humane capture of animals includes:

FOCAS - Friends of Bergen County Animal Shelter 
Established 1984 for the preservation and protection of animals
PO Box 439 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  07604
[FOCAS web-site]    FOCAS Summer/Fall Newsletter  (2004) in pdf format ####

FOCAS is a humane, nonprofit organization participating in the Shelter's Volunteer Program. Funds derived from fundraising and fun events conducted throughout the year by FOCAS are dedicated to the Bergen County Animal Shelter and animals in need. If you would like to contribute and/or become a volunteer, please visit the FOCAS web site at www.focasnews.org where a volunteer application is available.  The volunteer auxiliary Help line is 201-943-4019.

FOCAS Mission Statement
Promote the general welfare and natural conservation, preservation and protection of all species of animals. For the past 21 years FOCAS has provided..... Funding - Humane Services - Programs
for Animal Care & Well-Being
 
..... to support abandoned, homeless and injured animals at the Bergen County Animal Shelter and
in our Bergen County Communit

FOCAS Volunteers Welcomed

Adoptions:  Assist the public at shelters and off-site locations in selecting a suitable pet for adoption

Education Program:Assist coordinator in presenting programs to school children on humane education. Only privately owned pets are brought to schools, as arranged by the coordinator. (Weekday afternoons)

Dog Walking: Exercise, socialization and basic training of dogs.

Foster Care: Provide temporary in-home care for infant animals or animals with medical or special needs.   Time commitment usually is 2 - 4 weeks or less.

Telephone Help Line Contact: Return telephone calls made to our Help Line regarding our low cost spay/neuter program or financial assistance to have owned pet(s) or stray(s) spay/neutered. (Telephone from home or office - days or evenings, a few hours a month)

Grooming: Provide attentive care (bathing, brushing, nail trimming) to animals or offer transport to and from professional groomer.

Transportation: Transport animals to veterinary or approved rescue facilities as needed.

Assist with cleaning; remove animals from cages or kennels, wash cages/kennels, provide clean water, food dishes and litter pans.  Wash food dishes and litter pans.

Knowledgeable in photography. Take photos of shelter animals for Internet listings, publications, posters, ads and special events.

Assist in fund raising such as flea market, raffles and/or auctions (organization, set-up, selling).

Computer expertise in website design and programming

Assist in applying for grants or seeking corporate support and/or sponsorship

Assist with annual events like cat show, dog show, Blessing of the Animals and Mr. & Mrs. Claus pictures with pets.

Write articles for The Scoop.

Assist with PR efforts.

Baking for events.



FOCAS Angels
The Angel Fund was established by FOCAS to provide veterinary services to animals in need, above and beyond what can  reasonably be expected under normal shelter operations.  Contributions to this fund are used specifically for this purpose.  FOCAS Angels often require emergency treatment and extraordinary medical care costing thousands of dollars.  Your generosity will help to ensure that FOCAS will be able to help the next animal in distress.  Heart-felt "thanks" for your tax deductible donation.

To donate to the Angel Fund, simply make your check payable to FOCAS and indicate "Angel Fund" on the memo line or face of the check.  Mail to FOCAS, PO Box 439, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  07604.

 
President's Message published in the Spring 2002 issue of The Scoop

Eighteen years of service and still going strong, thanks to the generous financial support of our donors and the unwavering commitment of our volunteers.  Fortunately, our community of friends keeps growing.  No better time than now to introduce the newest members of FOCAS and The Scoop readers to the bond that brought and has kept us together . . . the well-being of animals.

When FOCAS was founded 18 years ago, membership consisted of a handful of volunteers.  Its resources were meager; its determination unfaltering; its purpose clear:  to promote the general welfare and natural conservation, protection, and preservation of all species of animals.  FOCAS' most immediate outreach . . . rescued and abandoned animals in need of compassion and care.

As financial support grew, FOCAS channeled that support not only for the special needs of shelter and rescued animals, but also in educating and expanding public awareness to "Adopt an animal and save a life" and the commitment that goes with it.

Our non-profit organization depends on volunteers.  FOCAS volunteers work at:  assisting with on-site shelter adoptions, organizing and managing off-site adoptions, cleaning cages, washing dishes and litter pans, walking dogs, grooming animals, managing a dog obedience program, transporting animals in need of special medical care to veterinary hospitals, transporting animals for adoption by rescue groups, networking with rescue groups, fund raising events, publishing The Scoop, writing descriptions and taking pictures for animals listed on www.Petfinder.com, grant writing, managing the spay/neuter "hot line" and temporary fostering of animals, including those with special needs.

Our faithful contributors make it possible for FOCAS' ongoing support of:  spay/neuter programs, veterinary services, surgeries and critical care for animals, medical supplies and equipment, computer chips for tagging animals, air conditioning units for shelter surgical, examination and post-op rooms, shelter' requests to provide financial support for modernization of dog kennels, fans to augment appropriate air circulation in non-air conditioned shelter environments, fostering programs, supplies for the care and feeding of "bottle babies" of all kinds, and cardboard carriers and leashes for animals.  As you can see, both lists seems endless.  The needs are great.  Your support is priceless!

If you haven't already, please consider becoming a FOCAS volunteer.  Whatever time or talent you can donate will be greatly appreciated and will go a very long way to bringing comfort and care to animals.  FOCAS would welcome members with PR, accounting, grant writing, printing, and legal expertise to offer guidance from time to time.

FOCAS takes seriously its responsibility for sound fiscal stewardship of the funds it raises and the generous donations that you entrust to  us.  That is why our goal is to insure that both be used exclusively for the well-being of animals.  FOCAS is committed to both upholding its mission and honoring your trust.  Thank you for allowing us to be instruments of your generosity and compassion.

Carol M. Burrows, FOCAS President

Dog Obedience Classes
FOCAS has an excellent, professionally taught six week Dog Obedience Program. Check FOCAS web-site for class schedule. Stop in for an application or write to FOCAS -- Dog Obedience Program,  PO Box 439, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  07604.  You may also call the FOCAS Help Line at 201-943-4019 or email: info@focasnews.org. Class tuition is $50 for dogs adopted from the BCAS or $95 if adopted elsewhere, plus a class-specified leash and collar which are $20.00 for the set.  A non-refundable $50.00 deposit is required with application submission to reserve a place in the session.

If you are having difficulty with your pet, don't give up hope. FOCAS has a 95% success rate, but it requires you to do your homework. You must work with your animal each week following your lesson. An animal cannot learn by himself; he needs you to teach him/her correct behavior and manners. Just like children, a pet must learn right from wrong. No animal is too old to learn, and most importantly, it must be done in a humane, constructive manner.

Lots of individual attention is provided, and a phone number is given each student to call in between classes, or even after the course is completed, in case a problem occurs.

Services...
Spay and neuter services (call 201-943-4019 for information on low cost spay and neuter for animals not adopted from the shelter), obedience courses, full veterinary services for shelter animals, X-ray technologies, wildlife education, around the clock animal control for sick, diseased, injured, or trapped animals, pickup of stray animals, weekly rabies clinics, trapping dangerous or wild animals, petshows, pet therapy, pet owner classes, special oil cleanup facility and equipment, computer identification system.

For more information on spaying:
www.alleycat.org
www.aspca.org
www.hsus.org
www.rabbit.org

SPCA
The Bergen County chapter of the SPCA is the only organization authorized by the Bergen County Prosecutor to engaged in law enforcement activities (other than the police and appropriately certified animal control officers) related to enforcement of the animal cruelty laws in Bergen County. To report animal cruelty in Bergen County call either 911 or (201) 573-8900.

Bergen County SPCA's web site: http://www.bergen-spca.org
NJ SPCA: 1-800-582-5979

Pet related web-sites
Bergen County Animal Shelter Official web-site

Acme Pet, a site serving all your pet needs! (Petsmart)
American Kennel Club
Animal Network (Cat & Dog Fancy Magazines)
ASPCA
Bergen County S.P.C.A.
Cat Fanciers Organization 
Claws Closter Animal Welfare Society
Cornell Feline Health Center
Cyber-Pet 
FOCAS -- Friends of the (Bergen) County Animal Shelter
Heathy Pet -- Pet care tips, health information, etc.
Humane Society - Rent With Pets (provides info to renters with pets and rental owners/managers)
Humane Society of the United States
Missing Pet Network  http://home.epix.net/~pkp/NJ.htm
My Pet Page (NJ) -- Dachshund
Nature's Pet Marketplace
NetPets®, a complete internet pet connection.
Pet Finders
Pet Loss
Pets And Vets
Pets With Disabilities
Pets Welcome -- Pet travel resource
thePoop a fun page for dog owners.
Rabbit.org -- House Rabbit Society
Veterinary Partner -- Answers animal health, medications,surgery, behavoir, safety, etc.
VetNet, a national network of animal info.
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