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 2 (32 total records)

Storm

Storm is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Storm was returned to the shelter due to housing concerns. Her previous owner noted that Storm has a bite history to another dog, Storm's previous owner reported several years ago, when in a dog park, a similar sized dog to Storm bit him (Storm's owner) on the leg. Storm proceeded to then bite the dog on the neck, held on and shook. Storm released when told to 'drop it'. Storm is also reported to resource guard her toys and treats. In shelter Storm has been reported to be on leash reactive to dogs during walks and when passing kennels. Storm has begun to show signs of kennel deterioration as well - scratching consistently at her transfer door, and panting persistently in kennel. With staff and in a recent handling assessment Storm has been highly social with staff; approaching handlers readily and allowing all contact with a wiggly body. Medically, Storm is noted to be underweight but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Kano

Kano is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns in his previous home. Kano in his previous home is reported to lunge at children, strangers and small dogs on his walks, but this is a behavior that has not been displayed in the care center. Kano is also noted to have some arousal concerns, and resource guard his food when people approach by growling or barking. Kano in the care center is social with staff and loves to play in the yards. Medically, Kano is apparently healthy.
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Winter

Winter is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Winter has displayed some defensive aggression and mild arousal concerns, including mouthing hands and clothing, and fixating on dogs and moving stimuli when on walks. Winter, during some interaction, will display high levels of anxiety such as panting, whining, exit-seeking, and when initially brought into care, would snap at the leash and had difficulty acclimating at first. Winter has warmed up to staff, enjoying going to the yard and playing, but struggling to settle in some interactions. He recently had an incident with a staff member during a walk, where Winter became aroused and bit their forearm, resulting in a scratch that broke skin. He also had an altercation with another dog after escaping the play yard. No bites occurred with either dog. Medically, Winter is apparently healthy.
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Beauty

Beauty is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care Beauty has been observed to growl, bare teeth, and lunge towards handlers that approach. Her previous owner states that she will snap, hard bark, and growl towards strangers. They also state that she will growl, hard bark, and lunge at strangers, cats, small animals, and dogs. With time, Beauty has warmed up to staff and is observed to be social. Medically, Beauty has dental disease and is otherwise healthy.
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Hazel

Hazel is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Hazel's previous owner noted she is friendly and outgoing. Upon arrival Hazel was noted to be social with staff, allowed handling and understood basic commands such as 'sit' and 'paw'. While in the kennel environment Hazel was initially fearful of handlers approaching her in kennel, but she has shown significant improvement in sociability. Despite these improvements, Hazel has been kennel reactive, while not consistent, when she shows reactivity to dogs in kennels- at times she will lunge with a tense body while hard barking. She also has been observed to visually fixate on dogs in top kennels above her own. Outside of the kennel environment Hazel continues to be social and treat receptive to handlers. Medically Hazel has undetermined allergies, alopecia, otitis chronic, and pyoderma.
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Jasper

Jasper is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Melbin

Melbin is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. Melbin has been diagnosed with a grade three heart murmur and has missing teeth. He is also developing an upper respiratory infection with conjunctivitis.
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Jazz

Jazz is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Jazz is significantly fearful in the care center, including growling, trembling, and avoidance of handling attempts and would not want to come out of kennel. Jazz during interactions will hide, growl when new handlers approach and remain trembling/low bodied. Jazz recently has been coming out of kennel on her own, and warming up to select staff by allowing contact but is still extremely shutdown in the care center. Medically, Jazz is apparently healthy.
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Taquito Chiquito

Taquito Chiquito is on the At-Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his/her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. It is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents.
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Gooseberry

Gooseberry is at-risk due to distance-increasing behaviors. She is currently lunging, swatting, and hissing toward staff, which makes routine care such as cleaning and feeding difficult to complete. Gooseberry currently does not tolerate any form of touch and becomes highly stressed during interactions. Due to her under socialization and shelter stress, it is recommended that she be placed into a stable home environment with experienced adopters that are willing to slowly work with her. Medically, she had mild ocular discharge, on intake, and she is underweight.
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Batman

Batman is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. He has developed a severe URI, conjunctivitis, and has become anorexic. We have been implementing supportive care and have now started him on IV medications, but he has lost weight and his symptoms are significant. He needs more care outside the shelter environment where he can heal and recover. Batman has allowed all handling and has been head bunting during his treatments. Batman needs more care than is possible in a shelter setting.
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Spaghetti

Spaghetti is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Queen Diva

Queen Diva is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Queen Diva is struggling to overcome pneumonia in care. She is slowly improving and responding well to treatment having recently returned to the shelter after receiving 24 hours of oxygen supplementation and additional supportive care at on off site ER. Queen Diva desperately needs to leave the shelter in order to get the continued care that she needs in a low stress environment. She is currently no longer oxygen dependent and is eating well, but unfortunately the ongoing intensive care that Queen Diva needs to resolve her pneumonia is not easily facilitated in a shelter setting. Behaviorally, Queen Diva is very sweet and easy going. She allows all handling, leans in for pets, and loves a good cuddle session. Queen Diva is crate trained and did well in office setting before needing to be moved into medical for closer monitoring due to illness. Queen Diva needs more long term care than we can provide.
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Ms Frizzle

Ms. Frizzle is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Ms. Frizzle displays intermittent leash biting during walks and quickly resumes the behavior when not continuously redirected with treats, making it difficult to walk her safely at times. Ms. Frizzle can be redirected with food and is highly social with staff, but struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Ms. Frizzle has moderate dental disease.
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Clever

Clever is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Clever displays a high level of fearfulness during handling, including startling, backing away, and head whipping when attempted to be handled. He shows tension during interactions and will only approach select staff. Clever is able to engage with handlers, take treats, and shows social behavior once comfortable, but struggles to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Clever is apparently healthy.
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Tru Fu

Tru Fu is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Boreas

Boreas is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Boreas arrived at the Care Center with police following a reported bite incident which we received minimal and conflicting information. Boreas reported to have bitten the puffer jacket of a person as they passed by property Boreas is often seen loose on. No skin was contacted and no medical attention needed. Another person approached familiar with Boreas to easily place him inside of crate for the police. This person noted Boreas is often seen roaming and may have been involved in a previous bite incident but then changed their account stating it was a different dog. In care, Boreas has been noted to fearful, becoming tense when touched by unfamiliar staff. With time and a slow approach, Boreas has shown limited sociability, allowing some contact and has become treat receptive. Medically, Boreas has been started on treatment for CIDRC.
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Blue

Blue is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Blue arrived at the Care Center as a stray with limited history. Blue was noted to leash bite consistently on intake, however allowed handling and was highly social during his handling assessment. Unfortunately, Blue has been struggling with a low-threshold for arousal since his intake. He has been leash-biting with increasing consistency and jumping high up to face level toward handlers. He remains social and treat motivated, however when leash biting he becomes difficult to handle safely and in one instance nearly caught the hand of a staff member. Medically, Blue is noted to be overweight but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Boulder

Boulder is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Boulder is a friendly, young LMB who was brought to the shelter as a stray. Boulder has noisy breathing sounds consistent with upper airway disease.  Enlarged laryngeal saccules were noted on sedated oral exam.  On x-rays there are mild signs of lower airway inflammation and chronic otitis. His clinical signs have improved following inflammatory medication. Boulder has also completed treatment for a urinary tract infection and an ear infection.  Boulder will need follow up veterinary care to further assess and manage his respiratory condition.  Boulder has allowed all handling and seeks attention during their exams.
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Pennyy

Pennyy has been placed on the At Risk list for medical reasons. She has a significant hear murmur and is underweight. She is not eating well in the hospital and is hypersalivating at time. She needs care, support and diagnostics that we cannot provide. Behaviorally, Pennyy has allowed handling from staff, but appears to be a little head-shy.
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Dior

Dior is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Dior displays a high level fearfulness in the kennel, including hard barking, growling, and retreating from the leash. Dior is fearful when being leashed, having to be distracted while the leash is being put on or he will retreat. Dior engages well with enrichment and consistently takes treats and will offer sit cues but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Dior has Cherry eye in both eyes and dental disease.
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Stripes

Stripes is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is an under socialized adult cat and bonded to her sibling Sunny (245976). She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping an under socialized adult cat adjust to new environments, particularly cats that may be "spirit cats".
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Karma

Karma is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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March

March is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, March displays significant fear, including trembling, freezing, leaning away from handlers, and sensitivity to touch, head whipping when attempted to be handled. March is able to be leashed and will move through the care center, but is intensely fearful and struggling to acclimate. Medically, March has Otitis externa in his left ear.
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Sunny

Sunny is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and bonded to his sibling Stripes (245977). He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping an under socialized adult cat adjust to new environments, particularly cats that may be "spirit cats".
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