Bergen County Teterboro Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026

Official address

100 United Lane, Teterboro, NJ 07608.

This is the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

Main shelter phone

201-229-4600.

Use this for adoption, lost-pet forms, reclaim questions, surrender questions and shelter service questions.

Animal Control phone

201-229-4616.

The county also lists Public Safety Dispatch at 201-785-8505.

Email

shelter@bergencountynj.gov.

Completed dog applications can be submitted for a specific dog to petadoptions@bergencountynj.gov.

You want a dog, cat or small animal

Use the adoption section. You need screening documents, the right application and enough time to ask medical and behavior questions.

Your pet may be at the shelter

Use the lost/found section. Photos and videos are not legal proof of ownership, so prepare license, vaccine certificate, vet records or purchase/adoption records.

You found a stray

If the animal was found in a contracted town, the shelter may accept it or Animal Control can pick it up. If not, call local police for the correct animal-control contractor.

You need to rehome your pet

Surrenders are for residents from contracted towns, are not accepted Saturday or Sunday, and should be discussed by phone first.

You need Animal Control

Use Animal Control for contracted-town field response, rabies control, stray handling, cruelty complaints, DOA/deer carcass removal and TNR questions.

You want to foster, volunteer or donate

Use the foster, volunteer and donation sections. The shelter lists many practical supply needs and volunteer roles.

What Bergen County says adopters need

• Applicant must be at least 21 years old.
• Photo identification is required.
• Proof of current address is required.
• Home ownership proof or lease allowing pets is required.
• The entire family must be present.
• Current pet owners must provide a veterinary reference.
• Existing dogs require a meet-and-greet, but not on the same day as the initial shelter-dog meeting.

How to avoid getting delayed

• Call your landlord before visiting if you rent.
• Tell your veterinarian the shelter may contact them.
• Bring all adults or required family members instead of sending one person alone.
• Bring the lease page that clearly allows pets, not just a verbal promise.
• Do not bring your resident dog expecting same-day meet-and-greet approval.
• Have backup pets in mind because availability is not guaranteed.

What cat/dog adoption includes

• Vet exam.
• Spay or neuter.
• Age-appropriate vaccines.
• Microchip.
• Age-based adoption fee to confirm before checkout.

Owner-surrender fees

• Dog surrender: $50.
• Cat surrender: $30.
• Small animal surrender: $15.
• Non-contracted town surrender may be doubled if accepted with director approval.

Disposition and pickup fees

• Bring deceased dog to shelter: $50.
• Bring deceased cat to shelter: $30.
• Bring deceased small animal to shelter: $10.
• Animal Control home pickup costs more and must be arranged.

Dogs

Ask about leash handling, energy level, dog history, bite history, fear, training needs and whether your resident dog must meet later.

Cats and kittens

The county says there are many more cats and kittens than are listed on Petfinder, so visiting can matter if you are serious about adopting a cat.

Small pets

Ask about cage size, diet, bedding, safe handling, enrichment, veterinary care and whether the animal should live alone or with another same-species pet.

Occasional exotic pets

If searching for birds, reptiles or other uncommon pets, call first because availability changes quickly and care needs are very specific.

If your pet is missing

• Call 201-229-4600 and describe your pet clearly.
• Go to the shelter to fill out a lost report and look in person.
• Bring ID plus legal proof: town license, vaccine certificate, vet records or purchase/adoption receipt.
• Do not rely only on photos or videos; Bergen County says they are not legal proof of ownership.
• Update your microchip registration immediately.
• Check nearby towns because pets cross dense Bergen/Hudson municipal lines quickly.

If you found an animal

• If found in a contracted town, you may bring it to the shelter 9 AM–5 PM or call Animal Control for pickup.
• If found in a non-contracted town, call the local police to find the correct animal-control agency.
• Do not give the animal away online without proof of ownership.
• Ask for a microchip scan when safe.
• Keep notes: exact location, time found, collar/tags, condition and photos.
• Use caution with injured, aggressive or scared animals; call the correct authority instead of risking a bite.

201-229-4616

Use this for contracted-town animal-control needs such as stray domestic animals, rabies control, cruelty concerns and field response.

201-785-8505

Bergen County also lists Public Safety Dispatch Center as a route to reach Animal Control.

Healthy wildlife limits

The county says Animal Control is not a pest-control service and will not remove healthy wildlife from any property.

Before surrendering

• Call 201-229-4601 if you reside in a contracted municipality and need surrender information.
• Prepare proof of residency and any veterinary records.
• Bring dogs, cats or small animals Monday–Friday between 1 PM and 5 PM only if the shelter confirms your route.
• Be honest about medical issues, bite history, behavior, medications and urgency.
• Ask about emergency boarding if the problem is temporary hardship, domestic violence, medical emergency or displacement.

Surrender and related fees

• Dog surrender fee: $50.
• Cat surrender fee: $30.
• Small animal surrender fee: $15.
• Non-contracted-town surrender may be accepted only if space permits and director approves; fee is doubled.
• Deceased pet disposition and pickup have separate fees.

Feral cat TNR

Bergen County lists a comprehensive feral cat Trap, Neuter and Release program as an Animal Control service for contracted towns.

Wildlife rescue

Animal Control lists wildlife rescue including injured animals and orphaned juveniles, but healthy wildlife removal is not general pest control.

Humane traps

For cats that cannot be handled, the county FAQ says confinement in a humane trap may be needed, with weekday pickup rules for contracted towns.

Foster care

Ask which animals currently need foster homes, especially kittens, medical cases, shy cats or animals needing a break from the shelter environment.

Volunteer work

Volunteer roles may include dog walking, cat socialization and shelter support. Use the official volunteer page for current requirements.

Rescue network

The shelter works with rescues and community partners. Rescue groups can be especially useful for breed-specific or foster-based rehoming help.

Daily care items

Clean sheets, towels, blankets, newspaper, carriers, crates, wee-wee pads, unscented wipes and litter boxes can support everyday shelter operations.

Food and enrichment

Canned dog/cat food, unopened dry food, treats, KMR, cat toys, dog toys, enrichment toys and small-animal supplies may be useful.

Gift cards and memorials

The county lists gift cards and memorial donation instructions. Monetary memorial donations can be mailed payable to Bergen County.

Photo ID

Required for adoption and useful for reclaim, surrender and official shelter records.

Address and housing proof

Bring current address proof and home ownership or lease proof allowing pets.

Veterinary records

Bring vet records for current pets, lost-pet reclaim or surrender. Vet references matter for adopters who already own pets.

Lost-pet proof

Bring town license, vaccine certificate, vet records or purchase/adoption receipt. Photos/videos alone are not legal proof.

Carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats and small animals. Do not transport a loose cat or rabbit in the car.

Dog transport

Bring a safe leash, collar, harness or crate plan for dogs. Keep new and resident dogs separated during transport.

First 24 hours

• Keep the pet in a quiet starter area.
• Do not introduce every family member, neighbor and pet immediately.
• Use carrier, leash, crate or door management for safety.
• Follow the shelter’s feeding and medical instructions.
• Expect hiding, whining, barking, reduced appetite or nervous behavior.

Days 2–7

• Schedule a vet follow-up if recommended.
• Use predictable feeding, potty, litter, walk and sleep routines.
• Introduce resident pets slowly and supervised.
• Watch for coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, appetite loss or severe anxiety.
• Ask for help early if behavior concerns appear.

Arrive with time

Adoption screening and animal meetings take time. Do not arrive at the end of the 1–5 PM window expecting a complete visit.

Know the town

For found animals and Animal Control, the town where the animal was found matters because contracted-town rules apply.

Bring documents

Lost-pet owners especially need legal proof, not just photos. Adopters need ID, address proof and housing proof.

Before adopting

• Do not assume Petfinder shows every available animal.
• Do not assume Monday adoption hours without calling.
• Do not forget proof of address or lease/home proof.
• Do not send one person if the entire family needs to be present.
• Do not expect existing-dog meet-and-greets on the same day as the initial shelter-dog meeting.

Before reclaim, found pet or surrender

• Do not use photos/videos alone as lost-pet ownership proof.
• Do not bring a stray from a non-contracted town without checking the correct local route.
• Do not surrender on Saturday or Sunday.
• Do not leave an animal unattended outside the shelter.
• Do not treat Animal Control as pest control for healthy wildlife.