The Monmouth County SPCA hosted Saturday its annual “Clear the Shelter” day, a nationwide pet adoption drive that offered four-legged animals at discounted prices.

Each year, the Eatontown shelter takes in more than 5,000 animals, and this event helps them avoid reaching capacity.

Dave Ruch, of East Windsor, took home a terrier mix to increase his family with another fur baby. He explained that his family had lost a pet three weeks ago and decided to adopt rather than to purchase another pet.

"We have an adult German Shepard at home. He's very playful, so I'm sure he'll love a puppy to play and have fun with," Ruch said.

According to the Monmouth County SPCA, 402 dogs and 594 cats were adopted in 2021. About 97% of the domesticated animals from the shelter left it through adoption.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rise in pet adoptions. Post pandemic, shelters across the state saw an uptick in surrendered pandemic pets as owners began to return to their normal routines.

"That was part of the trend that we're finding now. Surrenders are up, so 'Clear the Shelter' helps us to offer those surrendered pets the opportunity to go to a new home," said canine behavior and adoption manager Kathy Derry.

To help get pets into happy homes, the organization even offered a reduced fee on pets who've been at the shelter for at least 60 days, including senior pets.

The event at the Monmouth County SPCA has been extended into Sunday to give more people an opportunity to come out and find their "fur-ever" pet, like the Ruch family did.

"We have a big enough yard, with a pool, so hopefully he'll enjoy it. I'm sure he will," Ruch added.