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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Leo

Leo is on the At Risk list due to behavior. While social and friendly with caretakers in the care center, Leo's behavior contrasts significantly in a home as he has a multiple bite/scratch history related to redirected aggression and overstimulation. He 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 mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.
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Baby

Baby is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. He 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 mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.
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Lucee

Lucee 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 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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Oreo Girl

Oreo Girl 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 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 (further) bite/scratch incidents.
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Sleepy

Sleepy 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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Nelly

Nelly 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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Blackjack Sparrow

Blackjack Sparrow 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. Medically, Blackjack Sparrow is receiving treatment for lingering upper respitory infection.
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Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea is on the at-risk list due to behavior. 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 a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Professor

Professor is on the at-risk list due to behavior. While social in the shelter with familiar caretakers, Professor has a bite/scratch history. 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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Honey Booboo

Honey Boo Boo is at risk due to her behavioral concerns. Honey Booboo has shown arousal concerns and repeated jumping on handlers and mouthing/biting leashes and drag lines. She has also attempted to bite the leash when it is within reach. She can be redirected with toys, treats, and verbal cues, but has difficulty refocusing. Honey Booboo is social with handler, leaning into touch and seeks attention. Medically, Honey Booboo was recently treated for CIRDC and is currently healthy at this time.
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Wasabi

Wasabi is at risk for behavior reasons. Wasabi has been tolerant of handling but is deteriorating in care, chasing his tail in kennel, shredding his bedding and biting the bars of his kennel door. He loves tennis balls and toys but can become very snatchy, coming close to handler's body parts during play. Medically, Wasabi was brought into the care center as a stray with bites of an unknown origin. Additionally, he has a dermal mass, dermatitis, dental disease. He was recently changed to HA diet due erythema found.
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Udon

Udon is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He is a sweet, young adult cat with a severe upper respiratory infection. He is not eating and needs supportive care in a veterinary clinic in order to recover. Behaviorally, Udon is caustious to accept pets due to FAS but he will tolerate handling for medical treatments.
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Leap Frog

Leap Frog is at risk due to behavioral reasons. In his prior home, Leap Frog was observed to lunge at the child in the home and was nipping the adopter's partner. Leap Frog would also hard bark, growl, lunge, snap at familiar and unfamiliar dogs. While in care, Leap Frog has also been observed to be dog reactive. Noted to fixate and hard stare at other dogs with a tense body and raised hackles. In kennel, Leap Frog will snap at the neighboring dogs. With handlers, Leap Frog allows contact and is receptive to treats. He is receptive to cues such as "sit" and "paw." Medically, Leap Frog is apparently healthy.
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Noah

Noah is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He is a young adult cat with a severe upper respiratory tract infection and high fear in shelter. He will not tolerate treatments and needs supportive care in a veterinary clinic to recover.
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Babka

Babka is at risk due to behavior concerns. Babka has been noted to fixate on trash cans and pull towards them muzzle-punching the bin and fixating while attempting to open it. He responds to recall and redirects with leash tension. Babka has also been observed to refuse to go back into the kennel at times needing to be muscled in or belly banded into the kennel. Babka is noted to lean into pets, curving his body into their legs. Medically, Babka has recently been treated for CIRDC.
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Dunkin

Dunkin is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Dunkin has been observed to be reactive while on leash. In the kennel room Dunkin is observed to pull hard towards the other dogs. In one instance while walking through the hallway, Dunkin was noted to growl and lunge towards a person. With handlers, Dunkin is receptive to treats and pattern games. Medically Dunkin is underweight.
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Sheba

Sheba is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Sheba has been observed to be kennel reactive while in care. Noted to push off the handler and off the wall while trying to get closer to the other dogs. Sheba responds well to a treat trail leading out of the kennel room. However, she is still observed to pull hard and push off her hind legs. Sheba's previous owner described her as social and affectionate. In the yard, Shebe will engage in games such as playing with balls and agility. Medically, Sheba is apparently healthy.
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Lodi

Lodi is at risk for behavior reasons. Lodi was living in a busy environment and escalated to biting several times. None of the bites broke the skin. At times, she was in possession of a high value item when she has escalated to biting. She has been highly fearful in care. Medically, she is currently in heat but otherwise a healthy dog.
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Superstar

Superstar is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Superstar was returned to the Care Centers following a bite incident related to resource guarding behavior that resulted in two punctures. He has also been reported to escalate to snapping when uncomfortable, both in his previous home and while in the Care Centers. Outside of these concerns, Superstar has been social with staff, and his previous owner described him as social and affectionate. Medically, Superstar has dental disease and maloccclussion.
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Toasty

Toasty is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care, Toasty has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to hard bark and growl at handlers while in kennel. With contact, Toasty becomes tense and will headwhip before moving away and creating distance. With familiar handlers and a slow approach, Toasty will solicit contact and engage with training. Medically, Toasty is apparently healthy.
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Rex

Rex has been placed on the at risk list due to not thriving in care and displaying distance-increasing behaviors. Since his stay at the Care Center, he has not tolerated any form of handling. He also has not been receptive to any form of interaction or enrichment. He will growl, hiss, lunge, swat and does not leave his den. Over time, Rex has been quicker to escalate to these behaviors. Given his fearful behavior and inability to have successful interactions, it is in his best interest to be moved out of the kennel environment as quickly as possible. Rex would benefit from placement in a home with an adopter who is experienced in supporting fearful cats. Medically, he has gingivitis.
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Sir Henry

Sir Henry is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Sir Henry has only allowed handling from familiar handlers; she readily seeks attention and engages in play with toys, especially playing fetch. She has escalated to defensive behaviors with unfamiliar handlers - lunging, snapping, lip curling - during handling and when attempting to remove her from the kennel for walks. On one occasion, she did nip a handler's hand when she began squirming while being carried, leaving red marks on the back of their left hand. Medically, Sir Henry has luxating patellas and would benefit from a dental after placement.
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Tuna

Tuna 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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Chico

Chico is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the prior home, Chico was reported to display fearful and defensive behavior toward unfamiliar people and family members and has a history of multiple bite incidents that broke skin. His owner also reported difficulty safely handling and walking him due to concerns around placing his collar. In the care center, Chico has shown intense fearful and defensive behavior, including trembling, whale eye, growling, avoiding the leash, and attempting to bolt away from handlers. Chico continues to struggle to acclimate to the shelter environment despite efforts to minimize his stress. Medically, Chico has monocytosis, is mildly hyperglycemic, and has a Grade 4/6 systolic heart murmur.
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Duke

Duke is at risk due to behavior concerns. Despite best efforts, Duke has not acclimated to his time in care. He remains fearful and avoidant of handling and will lip lick, whale eye, and actively seek exit during handling attempts. In his previous home, Duke is reported to have bitten a family member's hand after becoming nervous. The bite did not break skin but caused swelling. He also attempted to bite through the muzzle during his medical exam. Duke's previous owners described him as social, affectionate, active, and playful. Medically, Duke is apparently healthy.
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