Teterboro, New Jersey — Animal shelter officials say owners surrendering their pets is becoming a serious problem.
CBS New York visited Bergen County on Thursday. There, the shelter is looking for homes for dozens of surrendered dogs and cats.
Officials at the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center in Teterboro say dogs and cats are being surrendered at an alarming rate, with many being brought into the shelter after the holidays.
“People have a guilty conscience as a buyer. They go out and get a puppy. They get a dog for their family, and then a few days later they realize what the responsibility of being a pet owner actually is. We understand what is there,” said Secretary Steve. Taneri said.
Officials say 25 dogs have been surrendered since Christmas, and more than 166 pets have been adopted into the shelter since November.
The majority of dogs surrendered were large dogs.
A handsome husky named “Luke” and a husky mix named “Bamboo” are up for adoption. So is an energetic Corgi named “Bear.”
When asked what people say when surrendering their pets, shelter manager Bob Bergamini said, “Either they don't have time for their pets…They don't know what responsibility they have.'' I didn't understand what I was incurring,” he said.
Bergamini said many people who adopted pets during the pandemic are now returning to the office because they realized they didn't want to leave their pets alone.
But what he's encountering more often, he said, are pet owners facing financial hardship.
“They're homeless and they can't have a pet anymore because they don't have a place to live,” Bergamini said.
As for the cats, Bergamini said, “We currently have anywhere from 75 to a few hundred in the spring and summer. That's a busy time for cats. During kitten season, we have 350 to 450 cats in the building.” I can do it,” he said.
Anyone interested in adopting a pet can come to the shelter and fill out an application or visit the shelter's website.
“People who come to adopt don't just come in one day and take a dog home. They come, they meet, they see if the dog fits with their abilities and what they can do. ” Tanelli said. .
CBS New York met 6-month-old “Luna” and she was handed over on January 6th. She will soon be available for adoption.
Click here for more information on how to adopt one of our four-legged friends.
