There is still time to take advantage of the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Berks County's New Year's adoption event. As part of a special promotion for 2023, dogs and cats age 6 months and older can be adopted for a $23 fee through Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Those looking to add a new dog or cat to the family may view available pets at http://www.berksarl.org. Adoptions take place on Mondays through Fridays from 1 to 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

When arriving, visitors are asked to register by choosing "check in" on the ARL website. This is a new process that was adopted during the pandemic. The waiting list closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays and at 4:30 p.m. on weekends.

"You register on a virtual waitlist," explained Jose Joel Delgado-Rivera, chief communications officer at the ARL. "The adoption specialist will then meet with you and go over your lifestyle and your needs and help choose a (pet) if you don't have one already in mind. You get the animal the same day."

Those with other pets are asked to bring them along for a meet-and-greet. "We prefer that you bring your other dog. They do a walk through our campus with both dogs to see how they react to each other," he noted. "If you have kids, you can bring them, too, just to make sure that they get along."

"If you are adopting a dog, you should be ready to pay a license fee for the county," he added. "For a cat, you should bring a carrier; if you don't have one, we will provide a cardboard carrier (for a nominal fee)."

Among the animals currently available for adoption for the reduced fee is Zane, a 4-year-old American pit bull, who is described as "a friendly guy with lots of energy." "Zane has been with us for a long time; he is one of our longest residents," Delgado-Rivera noted.

Also available is Sylvie, a 1-year-old domestic short-haired cat. Sylvie was rescued from a house with many other cats and is looking for an owner who will help her feel safe and loved.

The ARL, located at 58 Kennel Road, Birdsboro, is a nonprofit organization that cares for more than 5,000 animals each year by helping them find new homes or reuniting them with their owners. The ARL also offers low-cost veterinary services and animal control programs, and it investigates animal cruelty cases throughout Berks County. For more information, visit the previously mentioned website or http://www.facebook.com/berksARL.