The display is organized by Macy's and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"If anyone is considering adopting an animal, now is a good time to do it," SPCA spokeswoman Jen Lu said.
Lu said the SPCA's San Francisco shelter has been extremely full this year.
"We're a no-kill shelter, but we've been at capacity," she said. "Because of the downturn, there have been lots of cats all throughout the Bay Area and more or less throughout the country."
Prospective adopters can set their own price for adopting adult cats, with a minimum of $20, Lu said. Kittens adopted through Macy's cost $110. Adult dogs are $225 and puppies are $300.
The promotion extends through Jan. 2.
For those looking for kittens on a budget, four Bay Area shelters are offering $10 kittens through November because of this year's huge influx of the little creatures.
"I can't remember a time we've seen this many kittens well into November," said Laura Fulda, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society Silicon Valley, which operates one of the shelters offering the $10 promotion.
Other agencies offering $10 kittens include San Jose Animal Care and Services, Palo Alto Animal Services, and Town Cats of Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County.
Animals at all Bay Area shelters and SPCA are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and medically evaluated for behavior and medical health.
