At-Risk Animals

Thank you for your interest in adopting from Animal Care Centers of NYC. Our At-Risk List is posted three times a week, on the evenings of Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 6:00PM and remains viewable for 42 hours.

Schedule overview:
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Sunday evening will be viewable until Tuesday at 12:00PM noon.
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Tuesday evening will be viewable until Thursday at 12:00PM noon.
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Thursday evening will be viewable until Saturday at 12:00PM noon.

To find out the status of at-risk animals, please visit the At-Risk Outcomes page.

If this is your first time visiting this site, please read the below information carefully.

For anyone who wishes to adopt, there is a mandatory deposit fee of $200 plus a transaction fee per animal to place an adoption reservation. The $200 covers $50 toward the adoption fee and $150 for the spay/neuter deposit. If the animal has already been spayed or neutered or is permanently waived by one of our veterinarians, the $150 deposit will be refunded at the time of the adoption. If the animal does need to leave without being spayed or neutered due to his/her medical condition, the $150 deposit will be refunded at the time they are brought back for the spay/neuter surgery or when proof of sterilization being done elsewhere is provided to ACC. If you do not follow through with the adoption, the entire $200 deposit will be considered a charitable donation to ACC's Special Treatment and Recovery Fund (STAR). Also, if the adoption fee for an animal is less than $50, the difference will be considered a charitable donation to the STAR Fund. Similarly, in-shelter pricing promotions do not apply to at-risk animals.

To complete an adoption, please click reserve on the animal of your choice. That animal will be loaded in your cart and you will have 15 minutes to complete the adoption process. In order to complete your reservation, you need to check out (top right corner). At this point, you will enter in your credit card information and a receipt will be emailed to you as confirmation of your reservation. If you have any issues, please email adopt@nycacc.org for help navigating the website.

If you are interested in fostering/adopting through one of our New Hope partners, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ozHex3uqvNkQt2dq9

At-Risk Animals

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Page 1 of 1 (24 total records)

Cooper
Cooper is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Copper came to the shelter as an owner surrender. During his stay in the care center, Cooper hasn't been able to settle and pushes hard when handlers' attempt to leash. Staff have reported hard to leash, leash biting and pulls hard in all directions at random. Cooper jumps on handlers but can be redirected with treats. During Cooper's assessment he was panting, pacing, and whining during the assessment. He would become tense, hover then bite the assess-a-hand when he had a toy in his possession. Owner reported Cooper is social and affectionate dog that be very active and playful. He loves water and bath time. He knows basic verbal cues and loves to play with toys that squeak. Medically, Cooper has otitis externa.
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Cioccolata
Cioccolata is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Cioccolata arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon intake Cioccolata was noted to be social, loose bodied, and allowed all handling. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Cioccolata has been reported to be highly kennel reactive. In one instance Cioccolata's teeth were able make contact with a dog through kennel bars, this did not break skin. Recently staff have reported Cioccolata is redirectable with treats when moving through kennel rooms. With staff, Cioccolata remains social and allows all contact. Medically Cioccolata is noted to have dental disease and otitis externa.
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Maxie Waxie
Maxie Waxie is at risk for to behavioral concerns. Maxie came to our care center as an owner surrender. Owner reported that Maxie will hard bark, growl, and lunge towards cats and dogs. They also state that Max pulls hard while on leash. During his stay in our care center Maxie has been observed to bark and pull towards other dogs while outside and when dogs pass his kennel. He will hard bark and paw through his food slot. During his assessment he grips firm, and becomes tense, and moves away with the toy. Maxie would also pace while in the room. Staff reported that while on walks Maxie lunges towards people. Owner reported that Maxie loves car rides along with being social, very active and playful. Maxie loves chewable toys, ropes and chew bones. Medically, Maxie Waxie is currently healthy.
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Doeby
Doeby is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Doeby was returned to the Care Center as an owner surrender due to housing restrictions. Upon intake Doeby was highly social with staff and allowed all handling. Doeby has become intensely dog reactive during her stay. Doeby has been reported to growl, pull towards, and hard bark at dogs. This has been observed to occur when moving past occupied kennels, crates, and when seeing dogs on walks; Doeby is difficult to redirect. Doeby's previous owners have noted that she did get along with another resident small dog and neighbor's dogs. With staff, Doeby continues to be social, treat motivated and allow all contact. Medically Doeby is apparently healthy.
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Maurine
Maurine is at risk due to behavioral concerns. While Maurine has been social with handlers and caretakers during her stay in care, her kennel stress is worsening despite the best efforts to keep her comfortable. She is jumping to the top of her kennel and scraping her nose on the inside of the kennel as she continues to jump up. Medically, Maurine is apparently healthy.
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Honey
Honey is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Honey in the care center has been deteriorating despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. Honey in the care center has began to kennel fighting leaving and entering kennel rooms, and is unable to settle on her own at times during interactions making it difficult to walk her safely. Honey is social with staff but struggling to acclimate to the care center environment. Medically, Honey has an ocular abnormality in one eye.
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Obsidian
Obsidian is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Obsidian came into the care center as an owner surrender. Obsidian was initially fearful when she first arrived but warmed up quickly, jumping up on staff excitedly. Obsidian will pull hard on leash and has been reported to lunge at people walking by on the street. She has displayed kennel stress, persistently jumping in her kennel while the room is quiet. She has also proved difficult to return to kennel and in one instance pushed herself out of kennel and started jumping at handler and attempting to bite their arms. Owner reported Obsidian is a social, affectionate, active, and playful dog that loves her rope toys and bones. Medically, Obsidian has dental disease.
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Summit
Summit is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Summit arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Shortly after his intake, Summit was noted to become social with familiar staff and allow handling. Recently, Summit has been showing increased resource guarding and reactivity. Summit has been observed to pull hard toward kennels and escalate to snapping at occupied pop-up crates. Summit has also been observed to growl at people when in possession of toys and enrichment. At times Summit has also been noted to growl and hard stare at people approaching his kennel. With familiar staff Summit continues to be social and treat motivated. Medically, Summit is apparently healthy.
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Socky
Socky is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Socky was surrendered to the care center due to behavior in the home. He was reported to bark or bare teeth at strangers, bikes, or small animals while on leash. During one instance Socky lunged at a neighbor and bit their jacket, this did not result in broken skin. While in care Socky has been observed to growl and lip lift towards handlers when they attempt to leash him. Socky will also retreat to the back of the kennel when a leash is presented for a walk. Despite our best efforts, Socky remains very tense with staff both in and out of kennel. Medically, Socky is apparently healthy.
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Rambo Bambo
Rambo Bambo is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Rambo Bambo arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. Rambo Bambo's previous owner noted that he did recently bite a child in the home. The bite was a bite and release to the foot while the child was running past Rambo. The wound was cleaned at a medical facility with no other treatment being necessary. In the Care Center, Rambo Bambo has been showing fearful/defensive behaviors and escalating reactivity. Rambo Bambo has been observed to growl, pull towards, and push off walls toward kennels. Rambo Bambo is also noted be difficult to leash, baring teeth and often snapping at the leash when handlers attempt to remove him from kennel. Rambo Bambo's previous owner did note that he is playful and social in a home environment. Medically, Rambo Bambo is noted to have dental disease but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Cosmo
Cosmo is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Cosmo arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon intake he was observed to be social with staff, allow all handling including his medical exam. Despite efforts to keep Cosmo comfortable, he has become difficult to handle safely and has shown a poor impulse control. Cosmo has been reported to leash bite when handlers attempt to remove him from kennel. Cosmo has recently begun to snap at his kennel lock and fixate on random objects. He has also been noted to be mouthy with staff members' treat pouches and hands. Cosmo remains treat motivated and receptive to toys. Medically, Cosmo is apparently healthy.
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Blue Tang

Reserved
Blue Tang is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Blue Tang arrived as an owner surrender via NYPD. Blue Tang's previous owner noted he is high energy, playful, and outgoing. Upon his arrival Blue Tang was noted to be fearful but allowed all handling for his medical exam. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable, Blue Tang has been showing fearful defensive behaviors and increased kennel reactivity. Blue Tang has been reported to be difficult to handle safely at times; when clipping his leash to be returned to kennel, Blue Tang has been observed to turn and snap at the leash. He also has been observed to be kennel fighting- pulling towards occupied kennels and hard barking. When in play yard with staff, Blue Tang has been social, allowed contact, and is receptive to treats. Medically, Blue Tang is apparently healthy.
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Builder
Builder is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Initially during his stay in the care center Builder was observed to growl towards handlers, baulk on leash, and remain tense while interacting with them. Recently Builder has warmed up to handlers and has been observed to have a loose body. However Builder has also been observed to have a low threshold for arousal and will head whip and spin towards the handler when they initiate contact. During his assessment Builder was also observed to become tense with hackles raised and escalated to head whipping and muzzle punching the assess-a-hand while in the possession of a toy. Medically, Builder has CIRDC and is underweight.
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Marty
Marty is at risk for behavior reasons. Marty is quickly deteriorating in care. He is leash biting intensely when being removed. While out in the yard he continues to be social, however when being returned he escalates to jumping, spinning, and snapping. Medically, he has early dental disease, underweight and cryptorchid.
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Jagger
Jagger is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Jagger arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender due to housing concerns. Upon intake Jagger was initially social with staff, allowed contact and was receptive to treats. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable, Jagger has become difficult to handle safely due to fearful-defensive behaviors. When attempting to leash, Jagger has been observed to retreat, growl, and snap towards hands of handlers. At times he as escalated to closing distance, lunging towards handlers when they attempt to leash him. Jagger's previous owner notes that in a home environment Jagger understands basic commands, is playful, and affectionate. Medically, Jagger is noted to have Allergies (undetermined), Otitis Externa, but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Onix
Onix is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Onix in the care center has showed arousal concerns and handling sensitivity. When touched, Onix will head whip, tense and begins to pant heavily. During his assessment, Onix began to become aroused and jump onto the handler, mouthing there clothing having an interrupter be used to get him to stop. Medically, Onix is apparently healthy.
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Candy
Candy is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns displayed in her previous home. Candy was returned after multiple in-home incidents involving resource guarding and handling sensitivity, and a bite-and-release when her collar was grabbed to remove her from the couch, which broke skin. Candy has guarding behavior around valued items and spaces, and reported to escalate quickly. In the care center Candy paces, barks and paws at her kennel door. Medically, Candy is apparently healthy.
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Ace
Ace is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Ace has shown a low threshold for arousal, and started to leash bite once returning to kennel. He has jumped toward the leash and bitten during leashing, including a recent puncture to a staff member’s thumb. Ace can be social calmer settings, displaying a loose body, seeking petting, and engaging with enrichment, but becomes aroused when returning to kennel, exhibiting leash biting, hard barking, lunging, and difficulty disengaging once over threshold. Medically, Ace is apparently healthy.
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Makael
Makael is at risk due to behavioral reasons. In his previous home there is a reported bite incident that did not break skin. His previous owner also states he will snap at people that approach, cats, and other small animals. While in care Makeal has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to hard bark, growl, and snarl during intake. He was also observed to bare teeth, hard bark, vocalize, and hover over the feed slot when handlers attempt to feed him. Medically, Makeal is apparently healthy.
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Brownie Boy

Reserved
Brownie Boy needs at risk placement for medical reasons. He is a sweet young small dog that has chronic joint pain and is unable to walk. He needs an internal medicine workup including analysis of his joint fluid to treat his condition.
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Bonnie
Bonnie is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Bonnie arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon intake Bonnie was noted to be highly anxious, however was treat receptive and allowed handling for a medical exam. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Bonnie has been showing a decreasing threshold for arousal and increased reactivity. Bonnie has been observed to fixate on random inanimate objects such as kuranda beds, fencing, and equipment; grabbing hold and shaking. Bonnie has also been observed recently to be reactive to dogs, growling with a tense body moving past kennels and when seeing dogs in the play-yard. Bonnie is somewhat redirectable with treats but often reverts back to showing reactive behaviors or attempting to grab hold of objects she is fixated on. During her handling assessment Bonnie was highly social, wiggly, and allowed all contact. Medically, Bonnie noted to be overweight, superficial pyoderma, and is receiving treatment for CIRDC.
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Choco Pie
Choco Pie is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns in his previous home. In in his previous home, Choco Pie escalated without clear warning after play, giving a hard stare followed by growling, lunging, and biting a foster partner on the arm. The bite did not break skin, and the partner was able to disengage safely, displaying a concerning arousal threshold concern. Medically, Choco Pie is apparently healthy.
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Otter
Otter is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Otter has displayed high fear and defensive behavior in the kennel, including hard barking, baring teeth, growling, lunging, and retreating to the back of the kennel when handling or leashing is attempted, as well as lunging/snarling at staff during intake. He showed significant stress signals such as a tucked tail, dilated pupils, low body posture, pancaking, and hard barking at staff that approach him. Otter has become slowly more social with staff throughout his stay, but has previously displayed a concerning level of fearfulness when first entering care. Medically, Otter is apparently healthy.
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Knoll
Knoll is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Knoll is intensely fearful and highly stressed, displaying a tense body, widened eyes, tucked tail, whimpering, flinching to sudden sounds, and exit-seeking behavior. She is avoidant of handling pressure, backs away during leashing, and shows freezing, staring, and head whipping. Though she will cautiously approach for food or brief contact with staff and is slowly seeking affection from select staff members. Medically, Knoll is receiving treatment for CIRDC.
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